Page 169 of Bride By Initiation

He stares at her, his jaw clenched, eyes burning with something I didn't see the night of our initiation. I realize it's vulnerability, but it's short-lived, and his expression quickly hardens.

"Come on, Fiona, let's go," I command, linking my arm through hers and tugging her away.

"Zara, what are you doing?" she shrieks.

"It was nice meeting you," he calls out.

"What are you doing?" she repeats, turning her head to look at him.

Why did he look like he didn't know I was here?

He's following me. He has to be.

I tug her down the hall and turn the corner.

"Zara!" Fiona scolds.

"Why were you touching him?" I question, my pulse still racing.

She huffs. "He's sexy as sin. He's got the bad-boy vibe down better than any bad boy I've ever seen."

I wrinkle my nose, knowing it's Kirill. "Seriously? He's also forty-something."

"So? Daddy can come home with me," she says, winking.

"Ew. That's disgusting."

"Why is it disgusting? He's hot," she claims.

"No, he's not," I insist.

"Whatever." She looks back, but we're halfway through the club and there is a crowd of people between us and where we left Kirill. She whines, "Now I don't know where he went. Thanks a lot, Zara."

"It's fine. You're not missing out. Look at all the hot guys around here. Guys our age too," I add.

She groans. "Please, Zara, don't be so vanilla."

I scoff. "I am not vanilla."

"You're acting like it," she says.

"No, I'm not."

We head back into the VIP lounge and sit. I pick up the bottle of champagne, but it's empty. I glance around, but there's no server anywhere in sight.

"I can't believe you did that," Fiona reprimands.

I point to a guy on the dance floor who's Fiona's type. He's tall, dark-haired, and looks like he could be the president of the country club. I state, "That guy's been looking at you all night."

She groans. "Yeah, I know."

"Then why don't you go dance with him?"

She wrinkles her nose. "Please. He's just another previous frat boy. He's probably just like Marcus."

I lean closer. "You have to get back on the horse. I know you two broke up, but it's time." I point at the guy again. "He would be a good one."

"Yeah, I'm sure he's amazing, especially in the sack. No, thanks, though. I need something different. I'm done dating these guys that are good on paper. They're horribly boring in real life. I need some excitement, and that other guy..." She glances around, and disappointment fills her expression.

---