I know she looks at me with appreciation for getting her out of the situation she was in, but I also know she finds me desirable and the vibe she gives off isn’t predatory. It’s cute. She thinks I’m unattainable for her - for what reasons I can only guess is mostly about her being in a shitty situation right now. Her confidence has taken a hit.
Because she’s a catch. She’s beautiful. I know she presents herself these days as timid and introverted, but I also know what I saw three years ago before Iadanza tossed that coin up in the air. And having seen all those snapshots in her apartment today gives me even more insight into who she used to be.
Her eyes on me as she took in the vision of me in my tux – she’s making me feel some kinda way right now. That I’m glad I can turn her head. Because I want tonight to be good for her. I want her to have fun, feel beautiful, and feel safe to be herself. I want her to feel good to be seen with me, too.
I want her finding confidence again. She deserves to have it back after having that shit stain bring her down.
Tonight, she’s gonna turn heads and not just because she’s on the arm of the guy who owns the club that’s being celebrated. She is stunning.
She got herself ready with her hair, makeup, and even her nails and she’s polished from head to toe without the aid of a beauty parlor. This girl knows how to take care of herself without needing to spend money to do it. And she didn’t want me buying her four dresses and four pairs of shoes. She was willing to wear a dress she’s owned for three years despite my offering to shell out for her to feel and look good.
I like that. And I know she’d look just as gorgeous to me in that three-year-old dress, reminding me of the three years between now and then. Forget that shit.
A vision of me fucking her in that dress flashes through my mind. Dirty fucking. Fucking her rough. Coming all over her body, marking her as my own. Keeping her. Putting babies in her. Fuck.
The blood drains from my face in slow motion at the notion of that. This is shit I haven’t ever debated on before.
She’s stares out the window as we drive as if she’s on pins and needles. Her knees are jiggling.
Without calculating the move first, I reach over and my palm lands on her knee.
She jerks in surprise, then goes still as her large chocolate brown eyes are on me.
I squeeze affectionately. “You’re like Jumpin’ Jack Flash over here.”
Blowing out a breath, she replies, “Sorry. What, um, what can I expect there tonight? I should’ve asked earlier.”
“Good question. Cameras on a red carpet. I’ve got some press there to build buzz for the club. We’ll go in, we’ll get offered drinks, and we’ll get the tour as if we’re guests. I arranged it that way so you can see everything. Then, we’ll be seated in a visible location, only because it’s opening night. I’ll mingle a little and you can either do that with me, stay at our table and relax and play some games on a tablet, or you can play some games on the arcade floor and I’ll escort you to do that and get part two of the tour after I’ve done the schmoozing. I’ll have to give a speech and then we can either stay and you can play some more, or we’ll take off.”
“You don’t have to be there all night, till close?”
“No.” I smile. “I did that with my first club, my second, too. This is my fourth, so I’m at the stage where I have people to oversee all that. I only really have to be there an hour tonight, but we can stay longer if you like. As long as you like.”
“It’s your night, Killian, this is a great accomplishment. I’m here for whatever you need,” she says. “If you want us there late, no problem. If I need to sit at a table while you deal with business, again no problem; I don’t mind.”
“Thank you,” I say, squeezing her knee because my hand is still there, and it feels natural. Too natural. And suddenly, there’s something sizzling between us, because the feel of her knee under my hand has my tuxedo pants tightening. I let go, though I really don’t want to.
She moistens her lips with her tongue, meaning my eyes lock there.
“You came from Ray’s neighborhood and at your age you’ve already got four nightclubs and an online business? It’s impressive.”
“Even if I did it because I started taking illegal bets as a kid to build my empire from the side door of a pizza joint?” I ask.