Page 33 of Release Me
The silence that falls between us is heavy. ‘Sorry, ladies, I came in and verbally vomited all over you. Anthony would be so angry.’
‘Fuck him,’ Avery exclaims loud enough for a few of theguests to turn our way. She links an arm through mine, and motions for Ivy to flank the other side of me. ‘Let’s get lit, as you say. It’s a party. We can worry about everything else tomorrow.’
‘I’m done worrying. I’ve made my peace with the situation. I married an asshole.’ I shrug.
What I’m truly worried about isn’t the man with his back to me, shmoozing his billionaire buddies. What worries me is the man turning his back to the girl who looks like a model beside him, and is now making his way towards me with unmistakable intent.
I stop still in my tracks, abruptly enough for Ivy to spill a little of her drink. She looks at me questioningly, but my entire focus is on the dark-haired, god-like creature striding towards us. In a fitted tuxedo, there is no missing Rian’s raw, masculine appeal. His large shoulders are sculpted sublimely by a wool-silk blend that’s almost the same shade as his huge dark eyes. His bow tie is already undone, slung loosely around his neck. The top two buttons of his crisp white shirt are open, revealing a tiny smattering of deliciously tempting dark hair. But it’s his expression that really sets the butterflies in my stomach soaring.
His eyes home in on me like I’m the only woman in the room.
The only woman in the world even.
And the fire burning in them is so bright, it’s blinding.
Half of me needs to look away before I get scalded; the other half can’t bear to miss a second of staring at this beautiful man.
‘Ladies,’ he says, but his eyes never veer from mine.
‘Baby Beckett!’ Avery exclaims, patting his arm.
He grimaces for a split second before plastering on a smile. ‘For the hundredth time, Avery, do not make me get my dick out just to prove a point.’
Avery and Ivy dissolve into peals of laughter while my mouth runs dry, imagining him opening his suit trousers. Remembering the feel of him pressed against me that night. Lust courses through my stomach—and lower. I lift the champagne glass to my lips and drain the contents.
‘Someone’s thirsty tonight,’ he says, then drops his face down to press a kiss to my cheek. His lips are full and hot and delicate all at the same time. ‘You look absolutely stunning, as usual.’ His warm breath breezes over my neck, and his familiar intoxicating aftershave surrounds me like a silk blanket.
It takes me a second to compose myself. To find the words to even form a coherent response. ‘So do you.’
Chemistry pulses between us so powerfully, I’m surprised we haven't attracted the attention of every single guest in the room. We have, however, attracted the attention of my two friends either side of me. Avery and Ivy gawp at each other like the proverbial goldfish.
Finally, after what feels like hours rather than seconds, Ivy grabs Avery’s wrist. ‘Let’s go get a refill.’ She turns to me then. ‘We’ll bring you one back in a second, Bek.’
And then they leave me alone with the only man I see when I close my eyes.
And I don’t know if it’s the best Christmas present ever, or the worst.
Chapter Fourteen
RIAN
Rebekka’s smile hits me square in the chest. It always has. I think it always will.
But I long to be the person to put it there.
Long to be the reason warmth flickers in her eyes, the reason she laughs.
Long to be her reason for doing anything.
Which is why I’m standing in front of her, with my gaze fixed on her like there’s a magnetic field running from her skin to mine. I promised myself I’d stay away from her tonight, but the second I saw her in that dress—silk skimming every curve, slit flashing the length of her thigh—that vow went out the window, along with my common sense.
She looked like a rabbit caught in the headlights, until Avery and Ivy swarmed her with hugs and champagne. Thankfully, the tension seems to have melted from her shoulders.
‘How have you been since…’ I trail off.
What am I meant to say?
Since we last spoke?
