Page 62 of Blood Ties
“Gaby, I’m sorry for what I said. I miss you. Can we please just put it behind us and move on?”
Grayson reached under the table and squeezed my knee. It was a subtle way of telling me that forgiving him was the right thing to do.
“I’ve missed you to Shawn, but I…”
“Gabs, I was just worried about you. I still am, but I understand now that I have to back off sometimes. If it’s something you want to talk about, you’ll come to me and I shouldn’t have pushed. It’s just hard. You’re my girl and I don’t like seeing you hurt.”
I nodded. “I’m sorry too.” Shawn gave me a tight smile. “Just sit down Shawn.”
He chuckled and so did Grayson. “See I knew you couldn’t stay mad at me forever,” Shawn shared as he sat down next to me, putting Clive directly across from me.
“That’s because you’re my best friend.”
“Look at all these men surrounding you. You must be one lucky girl,” a waitress gawked as she passed by admiring the man candy around me. She was right. I was one lucky girl.
After I was done with my hair and makeup, it was time for my dress. I had kicked Grayson out of the bedroom so I could have the area to myself. I wanted to surprise him. I had chosen a blush colored dress. The bodice was tight and was only being held up by my breast. The skirt began immediately below them falling around my body, but flowed when I walked. I left my hair down only putting large curls through it allowing them to drape down around my shoulders. I left my jewelry simple wearing the heart necklace Grayson had given me at the opening of his hotel, and with studded diamond earrings to match.
When I walked out of the room in my pale stilettos, Grayson froze mid step taking me in. As the silence grew, so did my nerves.
“See! Now we can’t go,” he stated like there was no more explanation needed.
“What?” I giggled, nervously.
“Nope. I can’t go.”
“Why?”
Grayson closed the distance between us. He stood an arm’s length away. When his eyes lowered, mine followed. I bit my lip when I saw the problem. His erection was pressing against the zipper of his slacks.
“Well, we can’t have that,” I teased before reaching behind me and unzipping my dress, letting it pool around my feet. Grayson grinned before closing the space between us.
We were late arriving at The Angelo Tower, but it was worth it. I had needed a few minutes to make myself presentable again. As we rode the elevator up, for once I didn’t feel the familiar pull that I felt when Sebastian was near and I was grateful.
The dining room that was used for the vampires in Damien’s nest had been cleared and decorated. It now looked like an acceptable ball room. Round tables were spread out across the floor, covered in black table clothes and silver runners. Candles and Black Baccara roses where spread on every surface. Crystal garland and lights were draped above. It was the most gothic, elegant room I’d ever seen. I wasn’t sure if it was really Damien’s style. He seemed to be playing in to the vampire image.
“You out did yourself, Gabriella,” Grayson leaned in whispering to me. Most of the guest lived in the building so the room was already quite full.
“You think so?”
A waiter took that moment to appear with champagne flute filled with blood and a hint of Cristal. Grayson took two and handed one to me. He looked at it seeming impressed.
“Definitely.”
We found our table. Damien had insisted on a seating chart. Grayson and I sat watching the other vampires. It was strange seeing the way they moved and behaved. I was so used to being in the human world that I forgot just how strange vampires could be. There was a table of human food and blood done in different variations. Grayson decided to help himself to some. He offered to get me a plate, but I declined. I watched as he made his way to the table. It made me a little nervous seeing him walking through a hoard of vampires, when less than a year ago we were fighting against them.
“I see all is well with you, Gabriella.”
I felt my blood run cold. My body became alert as I prepared myself for an attack. I didn’t need to turn to know it was Ava.
I stood quickly not wanting to give her an advantage from my position. “What are you doing here?”
Her expression was amused. “I am a guest here.”
“What the hell do you mean, guest?”
“It is the grandest thing. I have been offered sanctuary.”
“By who?”
