Page 3 of Hope and Country

In the men’s room, I removed my once-white shirt, tsked at it, and threw it in the nearest trash can. A complete loss. I couldn’t save it even if my life depended on it. After dabbing my trousers with paper towels, I turned the undershirt around and tucked it into my pants. I used more paper towels to soak up the excess wine from my jacket and put it back on. The look wasn’t perfect, but in the dark bar, nobody would look too closely to notice.

I eyed myself in the mirror one last time, fixed my hair and the lapel of my jacket, and with determination in each step, made my way back into the night, looking for the woman in the red dress.

2

DEVON

“Nicole, where are you?” I asked myself, a frown pinching my forehead. I looked around for the umpteenth time, hoping to catch a sight of her in the crowd. Now, I wished we had driven together, not knowing anyone at this party. I wanted to leave, but realizing these were the moments I craved for, I stayed put and decided to give her half an hour more.

People here dressed in gorgeous dresses and fitting suits. My gaze wandered around the room, taking in the sights, until it landed on him. And I forgot all about Nicole being late. I forgot this party, the hum of the conversation that surrounded me, the glass I was holding. I even forgot to breathe. Silence permeated me, and all I could hear was the blood rushing through my heart as it thudded in my chest.

Just a few yards away, I had a clear view of the man. A casual elegance about him, his suit fitted as if it had been tailored for him. Dark brown hair, bright eyes, a square jaw with a hint of stubble, he was my idea of perfection. How could I look anywhere else?

Energy radiated from him and swirled around me. It ignited every one of my cells. Something about him appealed to my entire being. Nothing rational. But a fascination, a connection. It was there. As if my soul recognized him.

My eyes zoomed in on the smile grazing his lips as he listened to people talking to him or gestured with his glass of whiskey.

The world ceased to exist for me. The only sound that reached me was the loud thumping of my heart resonating through my skull. Not from fear. But lust. And something so powerful, it weakened my knees.

My mouth dried up, and I brought my drink to my lips, the last drops easing the aridness of my throat.

Fidgeting with the gold chain around my wrist to avoid fanning myself, a tug of war arose in me.

Should I? Shouldn’t I?

If I went to the man, would he acknowledge me? Would it seem gauche to approach him first? Would I seem needy?

I was so rusty. Dating was something I didn’t allow myself anymore, and it showed because I had no idea how to act.

Once more, from the safe distance keeping us apart, I gave the handsome stranger a slow once-over, relishing each of his features. Wishing I could run my fingers through his hair. Caress the stubble at his jaw. Or feel the power of his presence beside me.

My skin tingled.

New sensations invaded my senses.

My insides heated up when he cocked his head and our eyes locked. Even from where he stood, his magnetism got to me. Swept me off my feet. And we hadn’t even exchanged a word yet. Somehow, the way he glanced at me calmed my nerves. It soothed my body. And soul. How could someone I’d never met have that much effect on me? It made no sense. But I also refused to analyze any of it. Because I loved how my body reacted to his attention.

How, with just a look my way, a man could quiet the voices that had been shutting me up for so long. The ones that made me feel like I wasn’t worth it. Or didn’t deserve more.

The man sipped on his drink, and my gaze trained on his sexy throat as he swallowed the amber liquor. Could a throat be sexy? His was. It never occurred to me to define it this way before. But wow. That man. He had a way of messing with my hormones on a stellar level. And a glance was all we shared so far.

Men in suits weren’t my things. Usually. But he…

Men projecting that intensity of assurance. No, never. But again…

Men who made my body tingle with one look. Nah, never happened. But…

Until him.

Never looking away, he ambled in my direction. I might have stopped breathing for a full minute. It’d been a while since I had gone out, but even then, I rarely got on the radar of such a man. His entire demeanor screamed charisma. And power. A contrast to the glint illuminating his irises and the small bend of his lips that gave him a boyish appearance. The mix of both made him look irresistible. Way more than it should.

I sent him a shaky nod as his focus burned holes in my skin and put my dress on fire, his stare never wavering from me.

I held my breath. Again. Because how could I fill my lungs with air when it craved his scent?

The man placed his half-filled glass on the plate and grabbed two champagne flutes from a server, erasing the distance between us as he weaved through the crowd.

My body temperature increased as the space between us shrunk.