25. Mary
Chapter 25
Mar y
Round tables draped in ivory tablecloths fill the space, surrounded by elegant guests dressed to the nines attending the charity gala. Waiters in crisp white uniforms weave between rounds of polite laughter and tinkling champagne glasses while a string quartet plays in the background.
Ella, my mother, and my father stand on the right side of the ballroom. Part of me wants to say hello, but another part wants to avoid them as long as possible.
We sit at a table near the center of the room, sipping champagne. Lil fidgets with her napkin, avoiding eye contact with anyone nearby. Meanwhile, Gemma leans back in her chair, surveying the room with a cool detachment that seems to deflect unwanted advances.
I take another sip of my champagne, feeling its bitterness coat my tongue. I overheard my father inviting him, and my mother was insistent on his cousin attending this event, so Connor can’t be far, right?
Ever since our argument, things have been different. More distant. I miss his touch, his kisses, the lazy Sundays we’d spend curled up on the couch watching TV shows and simply being with each other. Now, all of that is gone.
Does he feel the same? Or worse, did he never care at all? I’m probably the only one longing for things to go back to how they were. We rarely even see each other at work anymore. I’m almost certain he’s avoiding me on purpose. Maybe it’s for the better.
The atmosphere in the ballroom shifts as conversations quiet and heads turn toward the entrance.
My gaze drifts across the room again. And this time, it lands on a familiar figure in a dark blue suit.
Connor.
He’s alone, without a date on his arm. Relief trickles through, and a small, foolish part of me wishes to be with him, as a date, tonight.
Beside Connor is his cousin Elijah with Esther Whitman, a notorious social climber, hanging off his arm. While Elijah has a more open, charming aura, Connor’s is darker and more mysterious.
I murmur under my breath, “Miltons.”
“Who?” Gemma whips her head toward me.
“Elijah and Connor Milton. Very rich and successful—the total package.” I nod toward Esther. “And, of course, Ms. Whitman has already sunk her claws into the older one. What a surprise.” Luckily, not Connor. Would he fall for Esther? Is she his type? Would he tell her to get out of his car, too?
Gemma’s expression sours. “Seems so.”
What is going on? Did I miss—
“Wait, the left one is Connor Milton? The one you told us about?” Lil asks.
“The one and only.” The one and only who I can’t get rid of in my mind.
“Are you okay?” Lil asks Gemma. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Lil and I exchange a skeptical look. There’s definitely something she’s not telling us. She appears ready to murder someone, her glare fixed on Esther clinging possessively to Elijah’s arm.
I raise my champagne. “No men tonight, and instead, to an unforgettable evening with my best girls.”
“Cheers.” Lil and Gemma clink their glasses against mine.
I risk another glance at Connor.
Sebastian strides over to Elijah, Serena on his arm. The two men exchange a hearty handshake and laugh, the sound blending into the ambient noise.
“Don’t look,” I say.
Of course, that only makes Gemma and Lil whip their heads around.
“Seems like Bash is a good friend of his,” Lil says.
“They’ve been doing business together and got pretty close. Best friends,” I say .
“How do you know all this?” Lil asks.
“Well, that’s one advantage of having the queen of gossip as a mother.”
Gemma glances between Lil and me. “He’s my one-night stand from the masquerade.”
I choke on my champagne as Gemma’s words sink in.
Lil grins wickedly beside me. “I guess your mother missed a tiny detail.”
“Apparently.” Gemma forces a weak smile.
I feel sick. If Elijah was at that party, chances are high that Connor was too, right? He seemed so familiar during our first meeting. Could he be…?
No. I must be crazy to think Connor is Chris. He can’t possibly be… but why else was he so sure of himself that night?
My stomach churns with unease. I take a large gulp of champagne.
“Shit.” Gemma nods awkwardly, putting her hands behind her back as she looks at Sebastian waving her over.
“Want to go grab some burgers?” Lil asks.
“No, we stay,” Gemma says.
I notice Connor watching me intently, a smug smirk on his face. He waves in an almost taunting way. What’s gotten into him tonight? This is the first time he’s looked at me since throwing me out of his car.
“I need to use the restroom,” Gemma says.
“Want me to come with you?” Lil asks .
“No, I’m alright. I need a minute to myself.” Gemma hurries away.
I clear my throat. “I could use another drink. You?”
“Sure, let’s go.” Lil heads toward the bar with me close behind, avoiding Connor and his crew.
“Is everything okay with you?”
“Of course.” Her voice pitches higher. “Why wouldn’t it be?”
“Are you sure?”
Lil’s eyes flick to the side for a second before resettling on the bar. “Sorry. It’s just weird seeing Sebastian after everything.”
“I can always hook you up with one of my old date partners?”
“Oh, you mean so I can have the famous Mary disastrous dating experience?” She laughs.
Mission accomplished. “It’s a 5-star experience. Trust me.”
I flag down the bartender, and he nods, signaling he’ll be right with us.
“How about you? Can’t be easy seeing Connor again.”
I shrug. “It’s not pleasant, to say the least, but like we said earlier—no men tonight.”
“No men tonight.”
I feel a tap on my shoulder and turn to see Ella standing behind me.
“Dad said you should come over for a minute.”
I don’t want to leave Lil alone while Sebastian parades his new girlfriend around .
“Go on. I’ll be fine.” She gives me an encouraging nod.
“You sure?”
“Yes, go catch up with your family. I’ll stay here.”
I gather her into a quick hug. “I’ll be right back.”
Ella guides me through the crowd to our parents. After greeting them, I force my socialite mask on and smile at the couple standing beside Father, Elijah and Esther. I halt as I realize there’s one more person in their company. One who is unfairly handsome in a suit.
“Connor.” I extend my hand.
He takes it and brushes a kiss on my right cheek, then left. The familiar scent of his cologne washes over me as I struggle to keep my expression neutral.
After weeks of silence, he now chooses to acknowledge me. The nerve.
Mother’s lips purse in disapproval while Father beams at the display. No doubt he envisions wedding bells already. If only he knew the truth.
I slip from Connor’s grasp, coming to stand beside Elijah.
“So, how is our new security coming along?” Father asks Connor.
“Very well, we’re on schedule and have already implemented some measures.”
I tune them out, scanning the room for any escape. This night is turning into a disaster.
“You know, Connor’s practically part of the family with how often he’s at the office,” Father jokes .
Of course, Connor is loving this attention. Though he seems to only want it selectively—he certainly doesn’t want mine anymore.
Connor catches me staring and gives a little wave, his expression unreadable as he listens to my father talk.
What is he playing at?
Elijah whispers into my ear. “So, where did your friend Gemma run off to?”
As if I’m going to play matchmaker for him after he showed up with Esther as a date. “She went away.”
“That’s a bit unspecific.”
“If you’re really interested in my best friend, you’ll figure it out.” I fold my arms, refusing to engage further.
Elijah eyes me up with a smile. “I’m beginning to see why my cousin is so obsessed with you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Without him being obsessed over you, I probably would have never found my little gem.”
“What do you mean?” I ask.
“I was lucky he dragged me to the party that night.”
So that would mean. Connor was there.
“Consider it a thank you.” Elijah detangles himself from Esther, leaving her to chat with my mother about wedding plans, and saunters off toward the back rooms.
Meanwhile, my father continues talking animatedly with Connor, their voices a low drone in the background.
Obsessed? Connor is the last person who could be obsessed with me.
He is hot and cold, push and pull, and I want to grab him by that perfectly knotted tie and—
Father claps Connor on the back. “At this rate, you’ll be part of the family in no time!”
I choke on my champagne, sputtering as I try to catch my breath.
Connor’s gaze flicks to mine for a brief second before he schools his expression back to polite interest. “You’re too kind. I’m simply doing my job.”
“Nonsense. A job is what you do from nine to five. You’re here evenings and weekends, always making sure everything is in order.” Father waves his glass in emphasis, champagne sloshing over the rim. “A man doesn’t give that kind of time unless he cares about the work and the people. Isn’t that right, Mary?”
All eyes turn to me.
“I-I suppose so.”
Father beams, but Connor’s jaw clenches.
“Speaking of caring,” Mother cuts in, “have you given any more thought to our offer? We’d happily set you up with some of Mary’s friends. I’m sure we could find a lovely match.”
My friends?
“Mother!” Shit. “I mean… Don’t bother him. He probably has a lot of work right now.” Before I can blurt out something else, I shut myself up by drinking the rest of my champagne .
“I appreciate your concern, but I’m quite content with the woman I currently have by my side,” Connor says. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to check on something.” He doesn’t wait for a response, already stalking across the hall.
What does that mean? Is he fucking someone else? A strange feeling settles within me, but Elijah’s words echo in my mind again.
Obsessed.
With a tight smile, I nod to my parents and hurry away from that suffocating conversation.
The hallway outside provides a breath of fresh air, though it’s still stifling. No matter how hard I try to stay detached, Connor still finds a way without even trying. It’s infuriating how easily he can ignite me and then sit back with that smug expression as if enjoying the show.
Deep breaths. Connor is impossible, and yet…
I seek his attention, his challenge, the fire that sparks whenever we’re together. That’s why I’ve been walking to the IT Department more than ever, coming up with stupid reasons like I need a new access card or my keyboard is broken. The face Jake was giving me when it worked just fine. Embarrassing, and it wasn’t even worth it because Connor wasn’t in.
Connor walks out into the hallway, typing on his phone.
What is he up to? Is he gonna meet someone? Sophie?
He pauses for a moment, glancing over his shoulder, and I duck behind a pillar. The footsteps resume and fade .
I take a peek around the corner. There’s no sign of him. He’s gone.
I’m really not good at this.
My shoulders slump, and I start to head back to the ballroom—only to collide with a solid chest. I peer up into Connor’s eyes, dark and inscrutable. He braces one hand on the stone beside my head, the other snaking around my waist.
“Following me, Blue?” His breath feathers over my neck.
I swallow hard. “No, I wasn’t—I mean, I was just—”
“Naughty girl. I think I’ll have to punish those lying lips of yours.”
“We agreed to keep things professional.”
“You agreed. I never promised that.”
“You asked for it.”
“We both know there’s nothing professional about this.”
“Connor, we can’t.” I place my hands on his chest, intending to push him away, but my treacherous fingers curl into his shirt instead, holding him close.
Whatever this is between us, it isn’t love. It’s madness.
“I missed you.” He kisses me, slow and deep, and I let myself drown in the feel of his lips moving against mine.
All thoughts of propriety flee my mind. There is only Connor, only this moment, this kiss that steals my breath and ignites my blood.
For now, it’s enough.
He pins me in place with his body. I can feel the shape and size of him, and I want nothing more than to have him inside me, filling me, taking me to the brink, and shoving me over. A moan slips out at the thought.
The memory of that night with Chris flickers before me but is quickly eclipsed by the reality of Connor.
Of this.
My fingers tangling in his hair, and my nails scraping his scalp. He groans, the sound reverberating against my mouth.
The kiss turns desperate and frantic, all tongues, teeth, and panting breaths. He hitches my leg around his hip, rocking against me in a mimicry of sex that leaves me aching for more. For all of him, in a way, I’ve never ached for anyone before.
A door opens at the end of the hall, snapping me back to my senses.
I shove at his chest. “Stop. Someone’s coming!”
He stills against me, chest heaving. “You don’t want anybody to know?”
“Here you are. Be right back,” Lil’s voice calls out from down the hallway.
The footsteps draw closer.
How do I explain that I’m dry-humping the guy who didn’t want me? Or does he? I don’t know anymore.
I slam my hands harder at his chest, trying to get him away from me. “This isn’t about what I want. You said we had to keep things professional.”
Connor’s jaw clenches, eyes darkening.
I peer around the pillar. Lil is nowhere to be seen. Pulse pounding, I wait for her to round the corner and catch us like this, disheveled and flushed. But after a beat of silence, nothing happens.
Connor grabs my arm and draws me back in for another kiss. More demanding, more intense. Hungry, devouring and lighting me on fire from the inside out.
But it ends too soon.
Connor rests his forehead against mine, his breath fanning over my face in warm puffs. I close my eyes, not wanting this moment to end.
“There is nothing professional about this. About us.”
He’s right, of course, but that doesn’t make it any easier.
After all, I’m the one who followed him. I’m the one who started this whole mess, who can’t seem to stop thinking about him no matter how much I might wish otherwise.
This isn’t professional.
Far from it.
“You ended it. So, please leave me alone,” I say.
“This isn’t over.” Connor steps back, letting his hands trail down my arms before releasing me. The sudden loss of contact leaves me colder than before.
I follow him out of the alcove on unsteady legs, smoothing my hair and straightening my dress. By the time we emerge into the hallway, all traces of our kiss have vanished. But the ghost of Connor’s touch is branded into my skin, and I wonder if it will ever fade .
Lil spots us, waving. “There you are! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” She takes in my flushed cheeks and mussed hair, eyes gleaming, and I know I’ll never hear the end of this.
Beside me, Connor’s lips quirk up, and I elbow him in the ribs, fighting a smile of my own.
“Sorry about that. Connor and I were discussing some details about the new security systems,” I say.
Connor says nothing, staring at his phone.
So we’re back to ignoring me? Great.
I glance back at Lil and do a double take. The ends of her hair are wet, and her dress looks damp, too. What the hell?
"Lil, why are you all wet?"
She glances down at herself and then back up at me, eyes wide. "Oh, um, I just stepped outside for a minute. It's raining."
I narrow my eyes. "It's not raining."
She shifts her weight from foot to foot, not meeting my gaze. "Well, it was a few minutes ago, and I-I ran into a waiter."
Fine. I let her go, but I will find out what happened later. With Connor here, I can understand why she doesn't want to talk about it—or, more accurately, doesn't want to talk about Sebastian.
“Okay. Let’s get Gemma.” I link my arm through hers. "Lead the—"
“Wait,” Connor says.
We turn as one, eyebrows raised. Connor lifts his eyes from his phone, darts them between us, then back to his phone.
The seconds tick by in silence .
“What’s wrong?” I ask.
He clears his throat. “Nothing. It’s just…”
“Just what?”
“Nothing. Just need to send this email.”
Right, because he’s been engrossed in that email this whole time.
I frown, exchanging a look with Lil. She tilts her head in a silent question, but I just shrug.
“You’re being weird,” I say. “Spill it. What’s really going on?”
Finally, he shoves the phone in his pocket. “All set. Where were we?”
“Leaving to find Gemma,” Lil says when I stay quiet.
I’m too irritated for this.
Connor gestures for us to continue. “Lead the way.”
We walk down the hall together, Lil chattering about the party. I focus on putting one foot in front of the other, trying to ignore the charged energy buzzing between Connor and me.
This hot and cold act is getting old. Fast.
I chance a sideways glance at him, but his expression remains impassive. Jaw tight, eyes forward, giving nothing away.
Typical.