30. Chapter 29
Leo
The drive to the gala was a blur as I replayed the kiss with Ria on loop in my head.
The softness of her lips and the way she melted into my touch, the slight hint of scotch on her lips adding to the heat that traveled through my entire body.
Never did I imagine her lips would feel so right pressed against mine.
Her grip on me felt desperate, which was mirrored in my movements.
I was struggling with my control to not take it any further, but my head was gone.
I’ve wanted this for so long that the small bit of control I did have was fraying, ripping apart with every swipe of her tongue.
If Hunter hadn’t messaged when he did, I would have snapped and taken what I’m not entitled to.
It was like a bucket of ice-cold water tipped over me, reminding me once again that no matter how much I want this situation to be real, could it truly be real?
When she whispered that it wasn’t fake, I could feel it, that kernel of hope blooming in my chest. We walked into the gala, her arm tucked in mine, and she was relaxed and happy, and that hope grew.
Visions of a future I’d held back from played in my head.
I could risk it for her; it would only ever be her.
“Is everything okay, brother?” Hunter slaps me on the shoulder before handing me a tumbler of scotch. “You’ve been quiet.”
“Have I?”
“Yes.” He frowns. “How are things with Ria? I know she can be hard to live with.”
She is, but not for the reason you think.
“No, no. It’s all good living with her. I’m just a little off since I know Ezra will be here tonight.” I’m not completely lying; I don’t know what I will do when I see him.
He grips his glass tighter. “Has Ria said much?”
“No. But she’s been a little off as well.”
“In what way?”
She kissed me like she needed my breath to breathe.
“She told me she feels a little out of control, and we both know how much she needs to be in control.” I huff out a laugh then take a sip of my scotch.
“Do you remember when she planned and gave us an itinerary for her twelfth birthday?” He laughs. “She went nuclear when you were two minutes late to our house. It set everything back and she didn’t let it go for months.”
“Years—she still mentions it when I’m running late.” I shake my head. “But no, she is definitely thrown by all this. Cole did say he will have an answer for her soon which should give her more confidence and stability.”
“Good.” He assesses me before saying, “There’s something else you aren’t telling me.”
“What?”
“We haven’t spent much time together since Vegas; are you avoiding me?”
“You missing me, sugar-tits?”
“Yes,” he says, not a hint of humor in his tone. “I know we aren’t working together anymore but I miss you, man.”
Shit. He’s right; I have been avoiding him. I can’t lie to him, and that’s why I’ve been keeping our contact to a minimum. He will see right through me. Once I know exactly what is happening with Ria, I will talk with him.
“Sorry, I guess it’s been a little hectic since. But we’ve got the wedding of the century next Saturday. Are you ready?”
“It can’t come soon enough.”
“Good evening, gentlemen.” Cole appears at Hunter’s side. “Thank you for coming. Have you settled into the suite?” he addresses me and Hunter frowns.
“Yes, I had my PA bring our luggage to the suite this afternoon. Thank you so much for your gift.”
“Gift?” Hunter questions.
“I have gifted the honeymoon suite to the newlyweds for this evening.” Hunter raises his brow, his gaze swinging to mine. “And a day in the spa tomorrow.” Cole continues to dig my grave.
“You’re staying here?”
“Yep.”
“Well, I hope you both enjoy, and remember there are plenty of lots to bid on in the silent auction.” Someone shouts for Cole, waving him over, and his shoulders sag.
“I’d better circulate; I hate this part.
” Shaking his head, he walks away, and an overly made-up woman grips his forearm to pull him into the circle of her friends.
His whole body stiffens as she presents him like a prize.
“Poor man. They look like they would eat him alive, or at least his wallet.”
“You’re sleeping here with my sister?”
Shit. I was hoping he would brush that off.
“We couldn’t exactly turn it down. He caught us outside earlier in the week to say he had it organized.”
“And you didn’t think to mention it?”
“Why? It’s nothing. I’ll sleep on the couch in the suite.”
“If you say so.” He pauses. “Just keep looking out for her. She has always trusted you.”
“I will.”
“Don’t break her trust, man.”
I’ve been chatting and networking for an hour and I’m already over it.
I love being social. Always been a social butterfly, but these events can drag.
Ria and I separated once we arrived and she has been with the girls all evening.
I’ve had one eye on her though, watching how she moves gracefully through the ballroom.
She has been laughing along with the girls, and she just looks free and happy, the happiest I’ve seen her in weeks.
Dragging my eyes off her, I focus back on Mr. Clark, who has been talking to me about his new golf clubs for the past half hour, and I don’t know how much longer I can pretend I’m interested in how far he can now reach down the green with his new hybrid driver.
“Sorry, Mr. Clark, I need to borrow Leo for a moment.” Relief floods through me at the sound of Ria’s voice.
Turning toward her, I’m once again taken aback by how utterly stunning she looks.
Breathtaking. When I saw her in the living room this evening, I was certain my heart stopped.
Forcing myself to stay calm, I reach out and rest my hand on the gentle curve of her hip that is accentuated by the tight-fitting bodice of her deep blue gown.
Pulling her into me, I press a soft kiss to her lips like it’s the most natural thing in the world, and she leans into me, smiling against my lips.
“Of course. I’ll catch you both later.” He laughs softly, muttering something about young love, and I register the sound of his footsteps fading but I can’t tear my eyes off Ria.
“Hi,” she whispers, her palms resting on my pecs. The heat radiates through the fabric of my shirt, and I suppress a shudder.
“Hi.” My fingers flex at her side. “Having fun?”
“More than you by the sounds of it.” Her lips twitch.
“Thank you for saving me.” Mirroring her expression, I give her a cheeky grin. “I swear if I had to hear him talk about how he loves driving those balls down the green anymore, I would have asked him to hit me in mine just so I could have a reason to escape.”
“Why do your conversations always revolve around balls?” She giggles, turning so she’s tucked into my side as we start to move through the ballroom toward our table where our friends are now gathered.
“They’re fun to talk about, Ri Ri.”
“What is fun to talk about?” Hunter asks when we reach the group. He frowns at my hold on Ria, but he quickly masks it before kissing Jade on the top of her head.
“Balls,” Ria and I say at the same time and then both start laughing uncontrollably.
“Okay, how much have you two been drinking?” Grace questions, moving into the group and passing Deacon his scotch as he gives her an appreciative smile.
“I’m perfectly sober, thank you, but I won’t say no to a glass of something.” Ria nudges my arm and I roll my eyes playfully.
“Yes, boss.”
“Oh, I love that.” Lily’s voice filters through, and I can tell by her tone she is about to say something that will either shock us or have us in stitches. “Does he kiss your shoes while you call him a good boy?”
“Lily.” Marcus shakes his head next to her.
“What? I bet he looks good on his knees, or with a collar.” She shrugs.
“Jesus, woman, we need to find you a filter.”
“You love my unfiltered mouth.” She kisses him and he smiles against her lips as everyone erupts into laughter around them. But I don’t miss the slight flush of color on Ria’s cheeks.
Before I can go to get her a drink, the sound of someone tapping their fork against a glass stops me.
“Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?” We all turn toward the sound of Cole’s voice over the rumble of conversations around us.
“I hope you all are having a wonderful evening, and dig deep.” He eyes the crowd, and there is a titter of laughter from the room, and Ria nudges my shoulder.
“There’s a signed Celine vinyl,” she mumbles out of the corner of her mouth.
“Already put my bid in; it was calling my name earlier.”
“Of course it was.” She gives me a wry smile just as Cole continues.
“Anyway, I know you’ll all help us make our target this evening, but I would like to introduce someone up here who would like to say a few words. Mr. St. Claire, is now a good time?”
“Absolutely.” Ezra’s booming voice carries over everyone, and instinctively the hold I have on Ria tightens, as I watch him swagger up to the front of the room and shake Cole’s hand.
Cole claps him on the back, causing my spine to straighten.
Could Cole and Ezra be closer than we originally thought?
My brain goes to Dale, and I wonder if he has any connections with the West family.
Craning my neck, I scan the room for him, but he is nowhere to be seen.
“Thank you, Cole,” Ezra’s voice booms as Cole moves off to one side and Ezra focuses his attention on the crowd.
“What is going on?” Ria whispers next to me, and I tighten my protective hold on her.
“No idea.”
“I won’t keep you long.” Ezra’s cold eyes meet mine, and I swear whatever he has planned is meant to shock and is also completely for our benefit.
“I’m sure you all want to enjoy the evening and hopefully bid on some amazing prizes and give plenty of money to this incredible charity.
” God, I want to punch his cocky face. What the hell is he playing at?
“Trixie?” He breaks our stare down and plasters a fake-as-shit smile on his face as he theatrically looks around the ballroom.
“Where’s my girl?” I sense all of the girls next to me tense as the crowd parts and Trixie makes her way to Ezra.
I look down at Ria, and she nods and smiles at me.
I know she doesn’t feel anything for Ezra anymore, but it’s still a sore subject especially with what is going on right now.
Her hand crosses her body, and she grips my hand that is on her hip, giving it a reassuring squeeze, and my body relaxes slightly.
The girls, Jade and Lily in particular, are cautious of Ezra with Trixie.
But it’s Beck who is hurting the most. He is broken right now.
Watching the woman you love fall for another man does something to you.
My chest tightens at the thought. Catching his eye from where he stands next to Deacon, I notice his brow furrow, and his hands ball into fists at his sides when Trixie reaches Ezra and he takes her hands in his.
I’ve only ever seen someone’s heart shatter once before, seeing the emotional pain shown so clearly on someone’s face that they physically break right in front of me, and it wrecked me. But right now I’m witnessing it all over again as Ezra drops to one knee in front of Trixie.