AllFreeNovel
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The glow about her is alluring and utterly hypnotic, but it’s not for him.
She’s so unlike every other girl in Silver tonight. Understated, but still the most beautiful girl in the room. Her red sundress flares at her thighs, accentuating her hips and showcasing her lean legs. She’s breathtaking.
As if I’ve willed her eyes toward me, she looks up, and our gazes connect. My blood flows uncomfortably to my cock, and I have to force myself not to adjust my growing hard-on. Damn. She’s ethereal in a way very few others are.
A ray of fucking sunshine.
I’m so enchanted by the woman that I don’t sense Mandy at my back until her hand lands on my shoulder, and her lips are pressed against my ear.
“It could’ve been you tonight, but I can tell when a man is not interested.”
Thank fuck.
I turn to look at her, not wanting to come off as intentionally rude, given she’s acquainted with Pax. “It’s not you. It’s me.”
“The age-old excuse.” She offers me a tight-lipped smile, nodding briskly. She doesn’t buy my words, but I can’t be bothered to care. I’ve done my part in offering a reason that’s not as harsh as reality.
“It was nice to meet you, Charles.”
“Likewise, Mandy.” I grab her hand and raise it to my lips. “Enjoy your night.”
She steps back into the enclosed VIP room, and I sigh in relief at her retreat.
“Let’s go before she changes her mind,” Paxton quips, motioning toward the crowd. “There are fish aplenty, and they won’t murder you with a pickax in your sleep.”
“You don’t say,” I grunt, picturing the whole scene that Pax has laid out.
Mandy would play the perfect psycho.
“Don’t you worry. I’ll find you a good one.” He smirks.
I turn my head in the direction of the blonde, but her eyes are no longer pointed toward me. She’s back to talking with her friends as though our moment never happened.
It’s for the best, based on the ridiculous reaction I had by simply looking at her.
Women like her are bad news for men like me.
Strings. Attachments. Promises.
The things I cannot offer.
Tonight, I’m looking for Mandy 2.0, minus the madness.
2
Raven
“Cheers to my friend,conquering the world!” Lily hands me a glass of champagne.
With a shake of my head, I look at the effervescing liquid and let out a chuckle. “What happened to our usual martinis?” My brow rises in question. “Since when do we drink champagne?”
“Today, we’re celebrating that you’re one step closer to conquering the world.”
I roll my eyes. “I got a new job. I didn’t curecancer.” My heart tightens in my chest. “Plus.. .” I take the drink in my hand but don’t lift it to my mouth. “Is it really right to celebratetoday?”
“You managed to snag the job of a lifetime.”
“Yeah, but the timing.” Despite how exciting it is, it feels bittersweet. Today is the five-year anniversary of my father’s death.
