Page 32 of Ravage

"Of course not," I reply, holding up my overnight bag.

"Oh thank god. I was worried that catching feelings meant you'd turned into a fashion tragedy." She steps aside to let me into her suite.

I groan, dropping my bag on her couch. "I'm seriously regretting telling you anything, ever."

"But then, who would you have to tell you that you're being a pussy?" She grins, and I roll my eyes.

"It's no longer a problem. The caught feelings are gone."

She shoots me a look that tells me she doesn't believe a word I just said.

To be honest, neither do I, but there's no way I'm telling her that.

We spend the next two hours getting ready, with Annika curling my hair while I do my makeup in front of her bathroom mirror. She then squirts me with some of her fancy perfume I love but have never gotten around to purchasing myself.

By the time we're both ready, we are hot enough to stop traffic, and it feels good to be going somewhere that's outside of the walls I work in.

I'd selected a skin tight red dress that pushes my breasts up perfectly. I might not be getting laid tonight, but nothing wrong with looking sexy as hell.

We meet everyone else downstairs, and file out to the cars. Sebastian organised for replacement drivers for the night, ones who have no idea what really goes on here. They think this is a high-end hotel and we're the staff... at least half of that is true.

Annika and I hop into one of the Audi's along with Daniella and Sabrina. Kresta pouts at missing out, but Dante drags her into the car behind before she can get too upset. He's basically an extension of our little girl squad anyway, often inviting himself along when we have movie nights in Annika's suite, so she can't get too mad.

Sebastian has organised for each car to include several bottles of expensive champagne. I think he enjoyed having a chance to spoil everyone and wanted to make the evening a fun experience for us all. The birthday boy is still grumbling about everyone making too much of a big deal out of it all, and no one has the heart to tell him that we're all just excited to be doing something without having to worry about clients.

"Here's to an amazing night, ladies," Annika says, holding her glass up once all four are filled to the brim.

We clink glasses and each take a sip as the car drives through the front gate.

I don't know why, but anticipation shoots through me. Like something about tonight is going to change my life.

Which is just stupid, because what could possibly happen?

When we arrive at the venue, we step into the lifts and head up to the rooftop bar. Sebastian has reserved the entire place for the night, and I'm surprised to find so many unfamiliar faces already there.

"Who are all these people?" I ask Annika quietly as we walk ahead of the birthday boy to enter the bar.

She grins. "Did you think, just because Connell can be a major grump at times, that he doesn't know other people?"

I shrug. "Honestly? Yes."

She laughs, shaking her head. When I glance over my shoulder, Connell gives me a pained look, and I get the feeling that it had not been his idea to include other people in the night's celebrations.

"Annika, did you bully Connell into giving you a list of people?"

She mock gasps and places a hand to her chest. "I would never. I just made him hand over his phone." Her grin is evil, and I pity poor Connell right now.

When Annika has her mind set on something, she will always find a way to make it happen. And the fact that the Irishman has been smitten with her for years - but refuses to act on it - means that he was powerless against those big brown eyes fluttering at him.

There are at least forty people here, not including those of us from work. I run my gaze over the strangers and flick Connell a look.

"Who knew you had so many ruggedly handsome friends, Connell?"

He snorts. "I play rugby with about half of them."

Annika perks right up. "Ooohhh, which ones?"

He points a finger at her. "Do not touch any of them. They would have heart failure if you simply looked at them, woman."

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