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I step back, holding the door open for him to enter. He heads to the balcony doors I have open to let the cool air in and places the glasses on the table. I follow him out, unable to wipe the smile from my face, which is still flushed from his compliments. He smiles at me as he unwraps the cork and opens the bottle like a pro, not spilling a single drop.
“You’ve done that before,” I tease. Calvin winks as he pours a little into the glass before letting the bubbles settle and filling it a little more. He hands it to me, looking very pleased with himself.
“I may have done it a few times, but hardly ever to drink myself,” he says as his eyes find mine. “And certainly never to enjoy it with someone as beautiful as you.”
“Stop it, you tease,” I giggle as I look away, feeling myself blushing again. Calvin hooks a finger under my chin and applies pressure until I look back at him.
“It’s not teasing when it’s the truth.”
For a moment, our eyes lock, and I remember how he held my hand as we sang on the stage the other night and how I caught him looking at me a few times with an adoring look. Nobody has looked at me in that way for many years.
“Thank you,” I whisper, taking the glass from his hand. He gives me another sexy wink before pouring his own drink. He holds it up, grinning at me.
“Here’s to a lovely night with a beautiful lady.”
I click my glass against his.
“And a very handsome man,” I add before taking a sip of my drink.
“Why thank you, I do look rather dashing, don’t I,” he tries to say in his poshes voice, but the American accent is so thick that it just doesn’t work. I burst out laughing, nearly choking on my champagne. “Well, I didn’t think I looked quite that bad,” Calvin laughs as he tries to look disappointed. But as soon as our eyes meet, a smirk spreads across his face, and we start giggling again.
I don’t know what it is with this man, but he makes me feel like a teenager. All adult responsibilities go out of the window, and we just laugh and joke with each other. I have a feeling tonight could end up being fun, and all the worrying I’ve been doing will be for nothing.
???
Tonight has been going without a hitch. I’ve stood by Calvin’s side as he spoke to people. He has taken my hand or placed an arm around my back a few times, and I’ve let him. In truth, I’ve enjoyed the attention he’s given me. Calvin has encouraged me to speak and put my two pence in like he wanted to know my opinion on things, making me feel appreciated and valued. It’s not a feeling I’m used to.
“Calvin!”
I turn around as a beautiful young woman with long brown hair steps forward and throws her arms around Calvin, who smiles and hugs her back. A knot forms in my stomach as I realise I haven’t thought about any exes. Is this one of his?
“I didn’t know you would be here tonight,” she says, stepping back from him. I realise I’m staring and standing around awkwardly, but as I turn to leave and give them space, Calvin takes my hand and pulls me back beside him as if realising I’m uncomfortable.
“Christian got me the invites, didn’t he tell you?” he asks as he puts his arm around my waist, keeping me close to him. He looks at me, smiling. “Chelsea, this is Jasmine Connors, soon to be O’Reilly.”
“Oh, you mean the O’Reilly’s you worked for,” I exclaim, looking back at the young woman before me and smiling. “I’ve heard so much about you all. It’s lovely to meet you.” I hold out my hand, and she shakes it happily.
“It’s lovely to meet you too. I hope he has been telling you all good things,” she says, giving Calvin a playful look.
“I wouldn’t dare say a bad word; Christian would have my neck.”
“I don’t know, it would probably be true.”
I look to see a tall gentleman with short dark brown hair and tattoos that show under the collar of his shirt. “It’s good to see you, Calvin.” He holds out his hand, which Calvin shakes, smiling.
“It’s good to see you too, Christian.” Calvin places a hand on the base of my back and looks at me. “Christian, please meet Chelsea Hughes. Chelsea, this is Christian O’Reilly.”
Christian smiles as he shakes my hand.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I say, knowing that the man before me is richer than anyone I have met before, including Geralt Young.
“The pleasure is all ours, Ms Hughes. I’m glad to see Calvin has found someone to keep him in line,” he says, grinning playfully at me.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” I reply, smiling. “He still hasn’t mastered the art of keeping a woman’s glass full,” I reply, holding up my empty glass.
“I had planned on getting you a refill as soon as someone passed,” Calvin chuckles beside me as I wink at him.
“At least he hasn’t put a limit on how much you can drink,” Jasmine sighs as she leans against Christian, who places an arm around her, looking with an arched brow.
