Page 46 of Red King

“Sure thing. Go mingle.”

“I’ll see you later.”

“I’ll be here watching your six. As will the half a dozen guards I have posted inside.” He reaches over and straightens my tie. “All set.”

“Thanks.” I walk away, making a beeline for Paisley since she is alone, but I’m sure that won’t last long. “Hi,” I say as I reach her.

“Hi,” she says back, looking nervous, although I’m not sure why. The evening is going great.

“You look beautiful.” I’m not sure where that came from. I hadn’t planned on saying it.

“Oh…um…thank you.” She tugs on the bodice of her dress. She has nothing to worry about; although the dress is sexy as fuck, it isn’t overly revealing. Trust Sally to get the balance just right.

It instantly feels heated between us. We’re staring at each other. The air feels charged. My collar feels tight all over again.

“You said you needed the compliment earlier, so I thought…” I shrug.

Her eyes cloud with… Fuck! She’s disappointed, and I don’t blame her.

“I do mean it, though, wholeheartedly, Paisley. You look amazing.” My eyes travel the length of her. I need to stop and right away. “Well done. This was a good call.” I look around us, seeing candidates and Tributes mingling. There are only a few, but I can see that others are eager to do the same.

“Thanks.” She takes a sip of her drink, which looks like plain water. “You’d better go.”

“Go where?” I frown.

She laughs softly, and the sound shoots straight to my balls. How is it that I react so easily to her? I don’t get it.

“Cathy called your number.”

“Oh! I wasn’t aware.”

“You need to listen up. Number one hundred and nineteen will be looking for you at the bar as we speak.”

She’s trying to get rid of me. I love it and hate it.

“Well, I’d better get over there, then.” Truer words have never been said. I need to meet and get to know the Tributes. That’s why I’m here. “I just wanted you to know that you’re doing a great job.”

“Go mingle, Arctic. You can let me know how well I’m doing in our meeting tomorrow.”

I feel excited at the prospect of seeing her in the morning, which is fucking wrong on all levels. Yep, I’d better go meet some Tributes.

“See you then.”

“Yep.” She nods. “I’ll be ready for you.” My cock takes instant note, even though she didn’t mean it like that. Paisley clears her throat softly. “Go, already.” She gestures to the bar.

“I’m going, I’m going. You can be bossy, Miss Reed.” It comes across as slightly flirty, so I walk away, taking long strides. I need to watch myself with this female.

Halfway to the bar, I get intercepted by Cathy. What does she want? Surely she can discuss it with Marcel or Thorn?

“Hi, Arctic. Are you enjoying the evening so far?” She looks at me from under her lashes.

“I am, indeed.”

Cathy licks her lips. “Look how well it’s going. The numbers thing was my idea. Look at them talking.”

I look over at the bar, seeing one female on her own.Shit!

“It was a great idea. I have to—”

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