Page 13 of Curiosity

Literallyanyother man would get laughed out of my face.

Buthim?

I had to figure out what the hell was happening, so I primped, plucked, and polished, slid myself into a dress and heels I hadn’t had occasion to wear in… well,ever.

And then… I just walked in.

I took in my surroundings along the way – the luxurious black stone floors, elegant lighting displays, sculptures, paintings.

People.

Beautifulpeople.

Like an undeniable face card was damn near a requirement to get in.

“Champagne?”

I pulled my attention from the abstract painting I was trying to figure out to nod, accepting the glass with a smile.

“Thank you,” I said, and the server gave me a slight bow before turning to find a new guest without a glass in their hand.

As I lifted the drink to my lips, I felt eyes on me.

Not Elias though.

A slight shift in angle put me in a direct line of sight with a man who was familiar, but I couldn’t place him. He smirked at me, which I didn’t know how to respond to, so I didn’t.

I turned and walked off, faltering a bit when I felt a flash of anger.

Notfromme.

Atme.

Eyes wide, I took a chance and glanced behind me again –shit.

He was stalking my way, and I could literallyfeelthe agitation so clearly displayed on his face.

Shit.

Instead of waiting to see what he wanted, I turned and started walking, putting a bit of pep in my step as I navigated around people and walls in the unfamiliar setting, trying to put some distance between me and the pissed off stranger.

I wasn’ttryingto make a scene, and yet it felt like all eyes were on me as I moved. When I spotted the ladies’ room, I madea beeline for it, giving my champagne glass to a server on the way.

I was relieved as soon as I was on the other side of the door.

For a moment, I could actually breathe.

Justa moment though.

I was in the mirror checking my makeup when the door swung open, revealing that same stranger on the other side.

“If I didn’t know better, I might get the impression you didn’t want to talk to me,” he said, stepping in and closing the door behind him.

Blocking it.

“I don’t know you.”

Simple.

---