Page 25 of The Malibu Destiny

Has it really been that long since I talked to him? No—we were throwing punches at each other just Tuesday. But apparently that was enough time for Sera to plant her little fantasy in his head. The one where his best friend and his sister get back together, making one big happy Blackwood family with me finally inducted as an official member. Christ. The guy can spot a feint from a mile away in the ring, but when it comes to his sister's games? Completely blind.

I lower my voice. "Listen, Caspian. Your sister isn't happening for me. Not ever. You know who I want.”

The chair beside me—Lilith's chair—scrapes against the floor as Sera slides into it. "Found you," she announces, tossing her hair over one shoulder. "Hey Casp, Violet." She bumps her brother's arm with a smirk. "Told you he'd be with me."

Christ. I run a hand through my hair, watching three separate guys at the bar twist their necks to follow Sera's movement. Two wedding rings among them, glinting in the low light. Sera turns every men’s head in this place, so why is she so fixated on me? Meanwhile, Caspian's expression has shifted to something dangerously hopeful, and any minute now, Lilith will walk by, see this tableau, and vanish before I can explain a damn thing.

I shoot Sera a death glare before excusing myself. Lilith's probably halfway to her car by now. Last time Sera showed up, she cornered Lilith in her own cabana, practically breathing fire as she warned her to "stay away from Roman." Sera has that effect on people—making them feel two inches tall with just a glance from those ice-blue eyes that have graced a dozen magazine covers. The woman's net worth rivals small countries, and she wields both her beauty and wealth like weapons. Her social media cult follows her every move; women want to be her, men want to possess her.

Christ. I need to find Lilith before she sees me with Sera and assumes the worst. Blake's probably already filling her head with reasons to bolt.

There she is. Standing alone, scanning the crowd with those wide eyes. I bulldoze my way through the mass of tuxedos and gowns, muttering half-hearted apologies. When she spots me, her face lights up and she throws her arms around my neck. The scent of jasmine and something earthy hits me, and my skin buzzes where she touches me.

Lilith's face lights up when she spots me. "Roman! There you are! Blake abandoned me for the woman I predicted he'd meet tonight—his Queen of Cups."

Talk about perfect timing.

"Queen of what?" I ask, moving closer.

"Cups. From the tarot." She gestures across the room where Blake stands enraptured by a brunette in blue. "I did a reading that said his soulmate was coming. Their eyes locked and—poof!—he forgot I existed." The way her lips curve upward with genuine delight rather than jealousy loosens something in my chest. She couldn't care less about Blake romantically. Thank God.

"I'll drive you home," I say, already fishing for my keys.

"Don't be silly. My Uber's coming at one⁠—"

"Lilith." My tone leaves no room for argument. "I'm driving you."

She sighs. "But Venice Beach is completely out of your way. You're downtown, aren't you?"

I almost tell her about my place at the Four Seasons in Beverly Grove—barely ten minutes from here—but stop myself. She'd only protest more if she knew how close I lived, while her place is a good half-hour drive.

"Doesn't matter. You're coming with me."

"Roman," she says, smoothing the silk of her dress—the one I had delivered this evening. "The crystal, the dress, now the ride home... A girl might think she's special."

What I want to say is that if she couldn't feel how special she was when we danced, I've clearly lost my touch. Instead, I just give her a slow smile that says everything I'm not ready to put into words.

Chapter Fifteen

LILITH

Roman is driving me home in his Bugatti. A Bugatti! Five million dollars worth of hand-crafted exclusive Italian engineering, and this is his car. The leather seats are butter-soft, and the engine makes this low rumble that vibrates through my whole body. I keep sneaking glances at him, then at my newly chipped nail polish, then back at him again. This man is the sun and I’m riding in his car, a car that is worth more than I could make in several lifetimes, literally. Pinch me now.

When he shifts gears, his knuckles flex, and I have to look out the window before he catches me staring. I've dated nice guys before—sweet baristas and one very earnest graphic designer—but Roman is something else entirely. He belongs on magazine covers, not driving me home after a gala that has his last name.

He looks over at me, his dark eyes lingering a moment too long. My stomach flips. Is that desire I see? The thought that Roman Kensington might want me—physically—sends a flush of heat across my skin. But that's all it could ever be between us, right? A brief collision of bodies, nothing more. Still, the idea that someone like him would find me attractive makes my pulse skitter wildly.

Sure, Jack tells me I'm gorgeous all the time, but best friends have to say that. They're contractually obligated to make you feel like a diamond when you see yourself as cubic zirconia. But even if Roman wanted a one-night thing... I couldn't. Not my style, not even for him. I shake my head, dismissing the thought. There must be some other explanation for his attention.

Roman's knuckles whiten on the steering wheel as he pulls into my driveway, killing the engine with a sharp twist. "Lilith," he says, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "Those readings—you got inside my head. How the hell did you do that?"

I meet his burning gaze. "It's a gift," I say, my heart hammering against my ribs. "Are you finally admitting some people might have abilities you can't explain?"

He leans closer, the leather seat creaking beneath him. "I've spent my life dismissing all of it—the zodiac bullshit, chakra alignment, crystal healing—as expensive lies for gullible people." His jaw clenches. "But you..." His eyes lock onto mine, searching. "You're different. You saw things nobody could know." He exhales sharply. "Maybe there are forces in this world I can't control or understand." A dangerous smile cuts across his face. “Guess I need to revisit my non-belief in UFOs and Big Foot.”

I inhale slowly to steady myself. "Would you like to come inside for some hot tea?"

"I'd love to," he replies without hesitation. I wait for the inevitable "but" that doesn't come. Roman unbuckles, steps out, then points a finger at me. "Don't move. That door mechanism is tricky as hell."