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“Yes, yes.”
No, I’m not.I was just stripped bare by your stepbrother’s gaze. I haven’t eaten or drunk anything all day. I’ve ridden an adrenaline wave that comes with jobs like this, and you’ve just validated me in the most wonderful way.So, no, I’m not okay, but I don’t have the privilege to admit that.
“Okay.” She looks down and purses her lips. “Let’s make the announcement, and please make sure all the volunteers mind the silent auction.”
I cross the room to the sound manager and get the mic ready for London. Walking is a bitch in this stupid dress, and I have to stop a few times to breathe and recover a semblance of grace.
After London’s words, I hate the dress even more. I’m not vain, but who would have thought a dress could ruin a night like this?
London gives her speech and immediately the silent auction gets busier. I shuffle over to one of the volunteers and tell her I need to take a minute.
My head swims, blurring my surroundings as another bout of dizziness claims me. I stumble out of the room into the deserted hallway.
Leaning against the cold wall, I consider how far away our green room is. I need to drink some water at least. Regretting I didn’t walk to the bar instead of out here, I look at the double door and consider returning to the ballroom.
But I made it this far already and there are bottles of water and fruit backstage. That should be okay to stabilize my blood sugar and keep this fucking dress together.
Keeping one hand on the wall, I fight the swirling floor and trudge along. Before I practically fall into the room, the noise of the ballroom gets louder for an instant. Hopefully whoever stepped outside hasn’t seen me.
I stagger around and take off my heels, wishing I could sit down, but I don’t think this dress would survive that. I lean on my hands against the table and lower my head, closing my eyes.
A click of the door alerts me, but I can’t move fast enough to look at who came in. Only volunteers and London know about this room. I pry my eyes open but the kaleidoscope of stars flickering in front of me prompts me to close them again.
The world continues to swirl. I fight to focus on something, anything to pull myself out of this funk. Jesus. Am I going to faint?
And then a smoky and spicy scent wafts my way, and suddenly I have something to focus on, but it’s as far from helping me recover as possible. Without thinking, I whirl around. Wrong move.
The world spins around with me but in the opposite direction, and I lose my footing. Two firm arms grab me, and luckily I remain upright. Wrapped in that enticing scent, trapped by firm muscles.
I close my eyes to breathe and enjoy the safety that surrounds me. Safety I haven’t felt in the longest time. It brings me peace I didn’t know I could feel again.
We stand there for I don’t know how long, and for a moment my head doesn’t fight the closeness. Damn the consequences. Damn the hussies he dates. Damn his rudeness. Damn his contempt. I need this peace.
“Are you hungry?” As soon as the gruff words reach my ears, the peace is gone. Wiped out by a simple question, and a tone that spikes all the hair on my nape.
“What are you doing here?” I push off Gio’s chest, blocking the feel of his chiseled muscles under my fingertips.
“I saw you stumbling around like a newborn lamb. Jesus, woman, here, eat something.” He hands me a protein bar.
My eyes dart between him and the bar. Jesus, he really has a flawless face. And he carries around protein bars.
“Eat,” he growls.
Fuck him. I’m about to refuse when my stomach grumbles loudly. As I step back the stupid floor moves again, and I waver. I grasp the table beside me, but Gio scoops me up at the same time, supporting me with both arms again.
It’s like he is squeezing me with two scorching pokers, leaving burn marks all over my skin. He snatches the bar from me and rips off the wrapper on one side before giving it back.
Right now, it looks as good as an upscale four-course meal. My mouth waters. I bring the bar to my lips, aiming my eyes at the boxes on the side. Anywhere but him.
It doesn’t matter, I still feel his gaze on me. Studying me. Scrutinizing me. Zapping through me like a current.
I don’t know how to reconcile the comforting hug with the rest of his behavior. I don’t know how to recover from his silent judgment.
What I do know is, unfortunately, his stupid protein bar has saved me. I feel better just from the first taste of the gooey substance on my tongue. Delicious. Like the man in front of me. Wait. What?
I snap my eyes back to him. “Thank you, but I can take care of myself.”
All the evidence screams that my statement is bullshit, but I straighten up and return his stare with all the confidence I can muster. Not much under his glare.
