Page 78 of Nemesis
I turned my attention back to the road, one thought plaguing my mind.
I hope she still wants the same.
CHAPTER29
SOFIA
After days of frenzied planning, the night of the gala was finally here. It had been a week since we got back from the cabin and I’d done everything to stay occupied, making sure Theo and I had no time alone.
Not for his lack of trying. Every day, he would aim to get me alone, but I’d immediately shut him down, apologizing and blaming it on the busy planning.
When in reality, I just didn't trust myself around him, afraid he would chip further at my walls, and have me revealing everything before I had put it all to rest.
I spent the day getting ready, atmy beloved’s request, since tonight was apparently an important night for his company and it was a requirement that I looked the part. Tonight wasn’t even about us, but since I’d been tasked with organizing the benefit, it reflected directly on Victor, and by default his company.
After adding the last touches to my outfit, I headed down.
“Finally.” Victor scowled, his lips pursed.
He began ranting about how late we were going to be, but I simply let it fade in the background as I grabbed a shawl, wrapping it around my shoulders, just in case the night got cold.
We stepped outside, and I walked down the front stairs, the sun setting down on the horizon.
Quite the perfect night for revenge.
Theo was waiting by a car, and the moment he felt my presence descending the stairs, every ounce of his attention was directed at me. His stare pressed against my body, leaving a trail of fire erupting in its wake.
Our eyes connected, and every moment we had at the cabin came crashing back, regret instantly filling me, reminding me I was still lying to him.
Soon, Sofia. Soon you’ll be able to tell him everything.
I snapped out of my thoughts, averting my gaze, and turned my attention back to Victor. I trailed behind him, moving toward the car Jaxon was waiting by, but Victor stopped me in my tracks.
“You’re driving with Mr. Alvarez. We’re taking two different cars, just in case.”
Victor still feared thethreatson my life and thought logically it would be safer to drive in separate cars as a distraction in case anyone was following us around.
I wanted to object but knew the decision was final and there was no valid argument for me to bring up. Besides, if this was the last opportunity I had to spend time with him, even just by being in his presence, before he ended up hating me, I wanted to take advantage of it.
So, I simply nodded and forced my legs to move until I stood right in front of Theo. He moved and gestured for me to go first.
He then slid in next to me in the back seat of the SUV, the driver shutting the door behind him. His delicious scent flooded my senses, intoxicating me in the enclosed space. He was so close, yet felt so out of reach.
I grabbed my phone from my purse to distract myself and kept my gaze focused on it as the driver pulled away from the driveway, making his way to the main road. From my periphery, I saw Theo lean back against his seat, his head turned to look out the window.
My entire body felt the weight of his presence as we sat in complete silence, except for the music lulling out of the speaker. Despite the partition separating us from our driver, Theo wasn't trying to make conversation and I was grateful for it.
My attention was still focused on my screen when I felt heat searing my side. I snuck a sideway peek down, only to find Theo’s hand resting against the seat separating us.
My dress’s slit bared most of my left leg and his fingertips slowly grazed the exposed skin before he retreated it slightly back.
He was still staring out the window, but I knew him. His body was conveying more. He was seeking reassurance. He wanted to know whether or not what happened at the cabin was real.
I pocketed my phone into the purse resting on my lap, contemplating what to do next. I needed to complete my mission, but I also wanted to remind him that I was his.
The two needs battled in my mind.
Before I could second-guess myself, I glided my hand down the side of my thigh, brushing the leather seat. But just as I was about to link our hands together to squeeze it three times, like we’d always done to make sure the other was all right, the partition abruptly slid down.
