Page 9 of Playing With Fire
“Well, I definitely hated you,” she says shortly, causing me to chuckle.
“But, you’re right. We’re adults, let’s try to bury the bad blood. We can try to be friends?” she asks uncertainly.
“Yeah,” I answer.
She’s about to walk away again when I remember something and stop her.
“Hey, do you need a date to the premiere thing? I could do it. I would be closer to you and it’s better for your protection too,” I point out, rubbing the back of my neck.
“Oh,” Alex says. “I’m sorry, Ritchie. But I already asked one of my friends to be my date. He’s familiar with the Hollywood scene, so I thought he would be better,” she tells me and I can hear the regret in her voice but it does nothing to soothe the jab in my chest.
“It’s fine,” I tell her, even though I feel anything but.
What is wrong with me?
I can tell she wants to say something more, but in the end, she walks back into the house. I stand there, my eyes fixated on the swinging of her hips and the curve of her ass and I realize I might be fucked. When I was a child, I thought Alex was the most beautiful person I had ever seen.
15 years later and that hasn’t changed. She’s sexier and hotter and it might be a little harder to repress my feelings. It’s hard for me to remember why I tried to in the first place.
Chapter 6
(Alexandra)
______
“Are you okay?” Ritchie asks me. We’re currently in a limo that Thomas chartered for the entire team.
“I’m fine,” I tell him even though I’m really not. I’m nervous about the outcome of tonight. What if something goes wrong?
I think Ritchie can tell I’m lying because he reaches between us and gives my hand a squeeze. My heartbeat quickens and I try hard not to look into his eyes.
It’s been a week since we had the conversation about being friends and things have changed between us. The dynamics between us has shifted and I’ve gone from lying in bed awake at night, plotting his murder, to imagining his hands and lips on me.
It’s driving me crazy. I’m so confused by all the feelings inside of me and honestly, I need respite. Which is why I'm glad I didn’t agree to be Ritchie’s date. We don’t need to blur the lines any further. I’m not sure but a part of me feels like Ritchie cares about me as well. He might not admit it and I’m not sure how deep it goes. One thing I know for sure is that I want to be someone special to him. It’s what I’ve always wanted.
We all agreed it would be best to get to the premiere late. Thomas got us all tickets but none of us want cameras in our faces, neither do we want to be on the news. We arrive at the premiere an hour late and thankfully there’s no paparazzi waiting outside. Except for my date.
“Hi, Wesley,” I say hugging him as soon as I step out of the car.
I met Wesley Keaton three years ago. He’s a producer in Hollywood. I’m not sure how big his fame is, but anytime I’m in L.A, I make sure to meet up with him. He has been a good friend to me. My life is a mystery but he never asks too many questions.
“Hey,” he says kissing my cheek. It’s then I notice the pungent smell of alcohol wafting off him.
“Did you drink?” I question, making sure to lower my voice so the Reagents don’t hear me. I can tell they’re already making plans for how best to protect me tonight.
My date being drunk is the last thing I need right now.
“I only drank a little Alex. Calm down,” he says.
He knows my real name but he definitely doesn’t know what my profession is. I only contacted him because I thought it would be easier to get into the premiere with him. I didn’t know Thomas would be able to get tickets so easily.
The Reagents walk over to us.
“Okay, Alex. We’re ready when you are. Where did the man say the exchange was happening?” Thomas asks me, blocking off and ignoring the man standing at my side. I inwardly sigh, Wesley isn’t going to like that.
“He told me to head over to the third floor at 8pm. There’ll be a door marked X.”
They all nod.
