be rubbing and leaving a mark.”
He studied it for a moment longer, like he could see through the material, and I held my breath. But he shrugged and offered a lopsided smile. “Women’s fashion always seems so painful.”
“Yeah,” I said on my relieved exhale.
“Let’s walk around and chat,” he said when the song ended. “I want to show you off.”
This time I didn’t hesitate to take his hand, and when I saw Raelynn standing off to the side with confusion marring her perfectly made-up face, I merely shrugged. I couldn’t quite explain it myself, so I’d just enjoy it.
By the third group we went to, the positive hope had vanished, and I wanted to go back to the Camden on the dance floor. He certainly bragged about me and my degree. Told everyone how smart and beautiful I was and how he was going to work to win the boss’s daughter over. Yet, he never let me speak. Every time someone directed a question my way, he answered for me and went back to treating me like the pretty, little woman he hoped I’d be.
As frustrated as I got, I pushed it down. We were just getting started. We were taking baby steps, and I didn’t want to forget the tiny silver lining I saw on the dance floor. Over time, I was sure I’d see more. Surely. I had to keep hoping.
By the end of the night, exhaustion hung around my neck, and I snagged a bottle of champagne on my way out. Not that I needed to because Raelynn greeted me outside with one of her own.
“Damn. Look who it is. My long-lost friend who abandoned me all night. The one who I damn well know has things she needs to tell me but left me hanging before she could. I swear, I almost tackled Camden to get to you. I could see sex written all over your body. And it looked good.”
“Rae,” I whisper-yelled, looking around for anyone who heard. “Keep it down.”
She rolled her eyes. “Ahhh, the good girl is back.”
“Shut up.”
“Bitch, get in my car and start talking before I start guessing right here.”
I widened my eyes, knowing damn well she would, and scrambled into the backseat.
“How’d you escape lover-boy? I thought fo sho he was going to superglue you to his side and kidnap you tonight.”
It was my turn to roll my eyes. “I told him I was staying with you tonight since all my stuff was at your house.”
She nodded, rolling the privacy window up, and passed me a bottle of champagne. “Drink and talk.”
I sipped from the bottle and then sipped from the bottle some more.
“That bad? Because it looked good.”
Falling back to the seat, I closed my eyes and sighed. “So fucking good.”
“Daaaaamn.”
“Yeah. Damn.”
“Tell me more.”
Heat flushed my cheeks, but then I remembered it was Rae, and she wouldn’t judge. Even still, I kept the details to myself, instead opting for the location over what we actually did.
“Again, daaamn. You won the lottery. So, does this mean you’ll come to the next party and do it again?”
“No. Once was definitely enough.” Unless it was him. I wanted a repeat with him every time. But I believed Raelynn. I think I hit the lottery, and I didn’t want to do it again only to have a sub-par experience. I’d hold tonight close and cherish it. If I saw my sexy stranger at another party, maybe I’d forgo the middle-man and approach him myself.
The problem was, would I recognize him without his mask?
No. Once was enough. Wasn’t it?
“Well, maybe give yourself a round two tonight,” she said, waggling her brows.
“Oh my god,” I laughed.
“I’m proud of you.” She took a long drink and passed the bottle back to me. “My little, good girl is loosening up a bit.”
I chugged the champagne, finishing the bottle, and sat back with a contented smile.
“Maybe I am. A little.”
I just didn’t know what that meant for me if I let go of the tight control I had over everything. Of the beliefs I was raised on.
But I was excited to find out.
Ten
Nico
“Is it safe to enter?” Ryan called through the crack in the door.
I pried my thumbs from my dry eyes and watched a hand holding a cup of coffee slip through the door.
“I come bearing gifts.”
“Come in,” I answered gruffly.
He strode through the door with the coffee and a stack of papers tucked under his arm. I barely held back my groan, mentally berating myself for