Page 69 of Perfectly Naïve
The limo rolls to a stop. “Oh, look, we’re here.” I practically jump out of the vehicle, not bothering to wait for the driver to help us out.
“Olivia!” Mother screeches.
Not now, Mother, I’m searching for a hole to hide in.
The steps that lead to the mansion are meant to be a showstopping piece, but I don’t pause to admire the grand marble stones or the flickering torches that line the steps. I’m sure Shirley, the homeowner, fully embraced this year's theme: Lost in a Fairytale. Right now, I’m lost in a nightmare.
I bypass security, who simply nods at me in recognition. I’ve been coming to these galas for years. Everyone in attendance knows everyone by name, and if they don’t, they’re likely pretending for the sake of being an asshole. This world is more vicious than wildlife sometimes. At least a lion stalking and killing its prey makes sense.
The foyer is filled with gowns and suits, people I probably know but have no interest in talking to. Not with my mother’s reminders of how much of a disappointment I am still ringing in my ears. I can’t bear to face obligatory conversation and the pitiful looks from people when they learn I’m still single.
I wish I could scream that I’m actually not. That I have a great pack who’s courting me. God, if only they were here. They’d hate it—I know they would—but it would make everything Mom said wash away.
“Oh, is that Olivia Wellington?” someone says behind me, but I keep pushing, making my way through the throng of people. My heart is fluttering inside my chest, lungs tight. I don’t want to see anyone I used to know. I can’t face their judgments too.
Racing into a hallway, I take a shaky breath, gaze wideningon a couple whispering, nearly on the verge of kissing. They glare at me.
“Sorry,” I murmur, face heating. Desperate for some privacy, I slip into the first room I see, shutting the door behind me and breathing in. Is it possible to have a heart attack at twenty-seven?
“Liv?”
My eyes snap open. “Liam?”
My beta cleans up well. Standing near the window, the glow of the lights in the courtyard bathing him, Liam kicks my anxiety to the curb, leaving me in awe of his beauty. His suit molds to his muscled body. The bow tie hangs undone, and the top button of his undershirt is open, but even still, he’s devastatingly handsome. His brown hair is an artful mess, like it was styled but he’s been running his hands through it in frustration.
“Everything okay?” he asks, attention flicking to the door I’m still pressed against like I’m trying to keep a serial killer out.
I wave my hand and join him at the window. “Other than my mom insisting I’m an embarrassment and not wanting to be here? Yeah, I’m great.” The last part comes out choked. I fist my hands. I hate that she can make me feel so inadequate.
He frowns. “Parents are the worst. The only reason I came is for Cici, but George conveniently forgot to tell me she was staying at Lily’s house.”
“Lily is her cousin, right?” I ask, trying to recall his family tree.
“Yeah, but now I’m glad I came. Are you okay?”
I wave my hand. “I’ve had years of mental preparation. Give it a few more minutes, and I’ll repress everything she said.”
“That seems . . . healthy.”
Chuckling, I shrug. “Probably not, but I’m not ready toface that giant therapy bill. Anyway.” I look him over again. “Gosh, you’re so handsome.”
He breaks into a full-blown smile. “Thank you.” His eyes slowly trace down my body, heating as he takes in the sweetheart neckline and the slit, the bare thigh peeking through the silk. My skin heats under his appraisal. When his gaze meets mine once again, they’re hooded and filled with desire. “And you, my omega, are gorgeous.”
“Oh, you don’t have to say that.”
He shakes his head. “I do, because it’s true, but there isoneproblem.”
“What’s that?”
“How can I let my omega walk around looking this fucking tempting without someone to defend her honor?”
“Defend my honor?” I muse with a grin. I never believed in fairy tales. There were too many variables. The probability of a magical fairy coming tobippity boppityme into someone a prince would love? Zero. The only magic in our world is science. But the way Liam is looking at me now? He makes me feel like a real-life princess.
“Mm-hmm.” Liam extends one hand, and as I slip my palm against his, he draws me toward him until our bodies are pressed together. He runs his fingers down my cheek, hooking them under my chin. “My beautiful omega,” he practically purrs.
Heat whooshes through my body, like someone tossed a match on gasoline, and my cheeks burn with his compliments. For once, I’m at a loss for words. I have nothing to correlate to what I’m feeling. No statistics to explain the blatant need trembling through my body. My heart is pounding so loud, I’m scared he’ll hear how much he affects me. I gaze up at him and tuck my bottom lip between my teeth.
His gaze snags on the abused lip, and he reaches up, tugging it free. He smooths his thumb over the indentions myteeth made. His tongue dashes out to wet his lips. “What are you thinking?” he rasps.
