Page 40 of First Chance

I’ve never had the type of money to sway people with money. Not like the people in this room.

As soon as we arrived at the doors, Jo was pulled away to go speak to people she knew. She encouraged us to find ourtable, and we took it. Seiver, Arizona, and Jordy are the lucky ones tonight. She suggested that bringing some of my guys to the events would be helpful, and I can’t for the life of me tell that woman no.

I’ve tried. Many times. But somehow she still twists my arm behind my back without ever touching me.

Except for today. Today she touched me.

“Do you want another one, boss?” Jordy asks, pointing to my empty glass. This place is too sophisticated to serve beer in a can.

“If you see this empty, fill it up.”

He fake salutes me and gets up to go to the bar, and I scan the hall for the hundredth time, looking for–

Her.

My eyes find her on the opposite side of the vast room, skirting her away around people and tables as expertly as if she were dancing.

A serene smile graces her lips that only grows wider anytime someone grabs her attention with a word or a wave. But her eyes, those rich brown eyes that fill you with warmth every time she looks at you…

It’s excruciating when she looks at anyone but me with them.

She carries herself so elegantly, her head always high and on a swivel, blissfully approachable. Everyone in the room is drawn to her. Necks bend to watch her walk by in those shoes that accentuate every muscle in her tanned legs. Light was invented to catch the thickness of her thighs, hitting perfectly below the hem of her dress.

A dress that hugs every curve on her body in a way that has brought grown men to their deaths for centuries.

You can see the moment when stray eyes catch a glimpse of the bouncing blonde hair flowing down around her in waves as she passes by.

Everyone strains to watch a gorgeous woman striding across the room, hoping she’ll head toward them.

Does she even realize what men would do to have a woman like her choose them in a room full of people?

To have her look at them with her full attention despite the chaos surrounding her. To have that smile be directed right at them because no one else deserves it.

She’s a commanding presence, dominating the attention of every single person in this room. She’s crossing the room looking for someone, some lucky motherfucker who doesn’t deserve her time or–

Oh. She’s looking for me.

Her pretty, bright eyes lock onto mine, and I see her dial in on me. Those long lashes squint as her eyes crinkle, an excited smile forming on her glossy pink lips. The single dimple that forms at the top of the apple of her cheek when she’s really happy makes it hard to breathe.

God dammit, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.

I’ve tried to get used to it, but I can’t. It knocks me off my feet every time I look at her.

“You guys! I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” She chirps so enthusiastically that everyone within a 50-mile radius grins. She’s an enigma that everyone wants a piece of.

20 years ago, I would have assumed I’d be lucky enough to marry a girl like her. 18 years ago, I thought I had met the woman I was going to spend the rest of my life with.

Then everything came crashing down around me.

Eight years ago, I stepped foot outside of the prison walls and swore I’d never fall for a woman’s lies again.

Turns out I wouldn’t have the opportunity anyway.

I would be recognized in a grocery store and watch a young mother shield her babies away from me as if I were a monster.

I would have a polite conversation with someone in public and then be avoided the next time I saw them because they had finally heard the rumors about me.

I was stained.

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