Chapter 7
Sierra parted her lips and chewed down on her pen, trying to work out a scene in one of her chapters, where the female lead is feeling like she was being watched at a party.
Though Sierra tried to stay focused, a memory of her and Jacob took over, distracting her from her work.
Taking a deep breath, Sierra sat back and recalled the first time she saw him.
It was at a charity fundraiser she was attending with her father.
She hadn’t wanted to go, giving him a difficult time until he promised to buy her the newest Chanel bag.
She’d been laughing and chatting with some of the high society members, loving the attention.
If the spotlight wasn’t on her, well, she never had to consider that.
When she felt someone’s eyes on her, Sierra had shivered.
Sipping her drink, she’d let her gaze pan across the room.
There were men and women who were staring at her in avid interest, but she knew it wasn’t them.
They weren’t responsible for the tingles going down her spine.
When she finally met his gaze, everyone else faded into the background.
The man was drop-dead gorgeous with the most incredible eyes she had ever seen. He was a tall, older man in his early thirties—she’d guessed—lean build filling out his dark green tux magnificently. His white shirt complimented his short dark hair and a cleanshaven jaw.
She didn’t know how long they stared at each other, but the connection between them only broke when he had looked away from her.
A woman, who only came to his shoulder, touched his arm.
He had leaned down and his head almost touched the brunettes’ short tresses.
His smile that he bestowed on his female companion had captivated Sierra.
Sierra had desired him then and was going to have him. Her beauty and charm always got her what she fancied. But his attention stayed focused on the woman, even when he took a step back. Disgruntled by that point, Sierra passed her drink to someone nearby and wove through the crowd.
Before she could reach the bar, where he was standing with a dark drink in his hand, Sierra had felt a touch on her shoulder.
She had turned to see a woman with red tresses piled on her top of her head, loose curls cascading down, dark emerald eyes, and porcelain skin with matte pink tones on her eyes and lips.
She wore a black jumpsuit with matching heels.
“Yes?” Sierra had said, irritation in her tone. She’d glanced at the bar; her target was still listening to the woman even though boredom had etched into his expression.
She held back a smile; she was about to make his night.
“I just wanted to say hi and tell you how amazing you look in this periwinkle-ombre sequined mini dress.” The woman had reached out to touch her skin and Sierra faced her fully.
“I was wondering, ummm, if you would like to go to the bar with me and get a drink?” The woman’s green eyes flashed with sexual interest and Sierra let her smile free because now she had the perfect excuse to be at the bar and flirt with this gorgeous redhead.
“I would like that.”
The woman had smiled, then gestured with her hand for Sierra to lead the way. “My name is Marnie, by the way. And you’re Senator Wallace’s daughter, Sierra, correct?”
Instantly, the thrill had vanished. Sierra had swallowed back a frustrated sigh, because of course she was being pursued because of who her father was.
But then, the woman had followed up with “I’m not a fan of your father’s, really, but I actually came here in the hopes of meeting you.
” The urge to tell Marnie to get lost faded for the moment.
The bar was crowded, but they still sidled close to Sierra’s target.
It hadn’t taken long for his gaze to wander back to her.
Those intense eyes were more incredible up close, dark lashes complimenting them.
Sierra rewarded him with a flirty smile, which he acknowledged by dipping his head before returning his glance to the woman in front of him.
Sierra had pressed her smile into a curious line.
Now, what is he playing at? He was staring a hole into my back and now he’s acting like we didn’t stare at each other across the room.
She had glanced at his fingers—no ring. Fooling around with single men was fun, but one line Sierra would not cross was tangling with a married man; for her, marriage was serious and sacred.
Pressed shoulder to shoulder against him, Sierra had felt his warmth through his jacket and her heartbeat picked up, just from that single touch.
Marnie slid a dry martini to Sierra’s fingers and she fluttered her lashes in thanks.
She didn’t mind flirting with women either, but her sights were solely aimed at the man still infuriatingly attentive to that other woman.
Marnie had continued to flirt with her and Sierra absentmindedly responded; her senses stayed focused on the heat of her shoulder against his. His cologne was light, woodsy; it suited him. When she finally heard him speak, he had a rich baritone; her temperature rose.
However, when the woman had pressed her left hand against his arm again, Sierra caught sight of the engagement ring and band on her third finger. Her suspicion that he might have been hiding his ring sounded alarms in her head. Stiffening her shoulders and back, Sierra had refocused on Marnie.
At least until she heard him speak again.
“Mrs. Bridgewater, it was nice meeting you and attending this event as your plus one while Mr. Bridgewater is out of town. But, I will be calling it a night. Early morning meeting. Can I drop you off or call you a car?”
Another grin escaped, and unfortunately Marnie thought it was for her.
She moved in closer to Sierra and ran a finger down her arm; Sierra patted her hand absently, but her concentration was aimed at the scene going on.
Despite Mrs. Bridgewater’s pout of disappointment, the woman had then reached into her purse and pulled out a hotel key card.
Sierra could hardly blame her for trying, but the only one who would taste that man’s sexual prowess was going to be her.
“I need to go to the woman’s washroom.” Marnie’s low voice cut into Sierra’s plotting. “I will be right back.” Sierra had tilted her head, and she smothered a gleeful grin as a plan materialized.
“I’ll come with you.”
She gestured for Marnie to lead the way, but when Marnie brushed by her as they left the bar, Sierra twisted, pretending to lose her footing from the contact.
Being so close to her target, Mrs. Bridgewater, it wasn’t difficult to spill the martini across the woman’s arm and the bodice of her dress.
The brunette squeaked in surprise and a strong, warm hand steadied Sierra.
She watched as Marnie paused, a look of guilty horror on her face.
“Oh my God, I am so sorry!” Marnie had gasped, no doubt flustered at how a small bump caused such “chaos.” Sierra could barely contain her satisfaction as Marnie took the fall.
“Please, ma’am, let me help you clean up.
” Though huffing and upset, Mrs. Bridgewater allowed Marnie to escort her to the washroom.
“So sorry, Sierra, I will be back. Order yourself another drink.” Marnie said to her over her shoulder before refocusing her attention on Mrs. Bridgewater.
The sharp sound of slow claps had cut through her satisfaction, and Sierra faced the man who now stared at her sardonically.