Cristiana Chapter 1
Cristiana:
I was enjoying myself. When the first guy came up and introduced himself as Iker, I smiled and introduced myself.
It wasn’t long before the other four joined, and more introductions were made.
I sensed the underlying tension between the men.
It was clear to me they were dominant men, and based on the way they checked me out and flirted, they found me very attractive.
Their attention was a great boost to my self-confidence.
Reuben might not be interested in me, but others were.
I had to admit, these five were nothing to sneeze at.
They were very visually appealing, and as we chatted, their personalities shone through, drawing me to them more.
They had me laughing with their jokes and stories about Lustz.
The waitress brought my water, and Sinner had been sweet enough to tip her and loosen the cap for me.
I thanked him and took a drink. I was about to remark on the story Iker had finished telling when a shiver of awareness hit me.
I glanced over my shoulder first and wanted to groan.
Reaching us was none other than Rhys. God, what was he doing coming over here?
Please, don’t let him cause a scene. So far, the other guys had kept things friendly.
As long as they did, I had no problem talking to them.
If they became dramatic or ugly, then I’d walk off.
Rhys slid into a break in the circle and stared at me. He said nothing. This behavior caught the other guys’ attention, and they slowly stopped talking. They stared at him.
Sawyer spoke up. “Yes, may we help you?” he asked.
Before Rhys could answer, another man’s voice cut through the tension. I swung around when I heard him.
“I hope you’re not planning to cause trouble tonight, Rhys. We talked last weekend. Did Cristiana invite you to her little gathering?” Reuben asked. There was a hint of anger in his tone that told me he was upset. Clearly, he didn’t want Rhys making trouble in Lustz.
I tried not to soak up the sight of him.
When he was with that woman, I’d been too upset to pay attention to him.
Now, I saw he was dressed in another impeccably made suit.
He had to have those things custom-made for him.
This one was a medium gray with a thin white pin-striping.
It was paired with a dark purple shirt. He didn’t bother with a tie.
Instead, Reuben left the top two buttons undone. My heart sped up at the sight of him.
“I wanted to see what all the laughing was about. Everyone seems to be having fun. I thought I’d join. And no, I’m not looking to cause trouble, Reuben,” Rhys told my secret crush.
“You better not. How is everyone tonight? Is the staff taking good care of you?” he asked the group.
Several murmurs affirmed that the staff was terrific, and we were happy with our service.
A secret part of me rejoiced that Reuben got to see so many men paying attention to me.
Not that it changed anything, but it made my battered ego feel better.
I nodded. I wasn’t sure I could trust my tongue if I said anything.
“And are you enjoying yourselves?” Reuben asked next.
More murmurs of yes, then Sinner spoke up.
“How could we not when you have someone this beautiful joining the club? She’s not only a stunner but someone you can have a conversation with and not want to tear your hair out or shoot yourself in the head.
Cristiana is keeping us all happy tonight. ” Sinner smiled at me.
I automatically smiled back and replied, “And you gentlemen are not just easy on the eyes, you make conversing a pleasure. I can’t recall the last time I was this engaged.”
“You know what would make me happier?” Iker asked. When I shook my head, he continued, “If you’d come downstairs and dance with me. They have that dance floor, and it’s calling my name. It’s hard to find a decent dance partner, and something tells me you can dance.”
Wanting to get away from Rhys and Reuben, and since I did enjoy dancing, I barely hesitated before answering him. “I’d love to dance. Thank you.”
“Wait, we want a dance, too. How do you know Iker is any good at it?” Sawyer protested.
“Yep, I bet he can’t beat me,” Odin chimed in.
Immediately, Atlas and Sinner were added to the list. I thought, the hell with it. I promised myself I would open up to possibilities. The only one who didn’t say anything was Rhys, though he scowled. Oh, and Reuben, but I didn’t expect him to.
“Well, guys, what’re we waiting for? Let’s go. Dancing it is. I want to know who the real Fred Astaire is among you,” I teased.
I sent a vague smile in Reuben’s direction and ignored Rhys as I took my first steps toward the elevator. Like a wave, the guys followed me. However, to my disgust, Rhys did too, and to my disappointment, Reuben walked off in the opposite direction. Not that I expected him to come with us.
I was lost in my head, barely listening to the guys’ chatter in the elevator.
I kept thinking of Reuben and wondering where his lady friend was.
The first floor had thinned out a smidge from when I came.
Somehow, the guys found a table near the dance floor.
They borrowed extra chairs from nearby tables until they had enough for everyone to sit.
The others kept eyeing Rhys covertly. He still hadn’t said anything.
They let him get his chair, which he did.
God, why didn’t he take a hint and leave?
After ensuring I was good to go and speaking to the DJ, Iker took my hand and led me to the floor.
A slow song began to play. Several people left the floor, but several couples joined us.
I was taken into his arms, then he took the first step.
Iker was a gentleman. He didn’t hold me too close or rub himself all over me.
I let myself enjoy the dancing and his conversation.
He asked about my work, and only after I gave him the outline of what I did, did he tell me about his company.
I found it fascinating. He was refreshing from the standpoint that his conversation wasn’t all about him.
Iker seemed genuinely interested in hearing about me.
I felt eyes burning into me, but I didn’t bother to look.
It had to be the other guys or Rhys. When the song ended, I thanked him and was escorted to the table.
As we approached it, I looked up. The black eyes of Reuben snagged my gaze. He was standing there with his arms crossed. My heart skipped a beat and would’ve raced if I hadn’t reminded myself he had to be here to keep Rhys in line. I fought hard to keep the smile on my face.
Iker pulled out my chair and held my hand until I was seated, then he pushed it in for me.
We were in time for a waitress to stop and ask if she could get us anything.
The guys asked me what I wanted first. Deciding to splurge, I asked for a glass of champagne.
It wouldn’t impair me, and I planned to stick to one.
The men gave her theirs, then we presented our cards to add the drinks to our tally, and she left. We’d pay when she returned.
“Hey, Reuben, you gonna stand there, go, or pull up a chair?” Iker asked him.
Reuben’s reply was instantaneous. “I’ll join you. I could use some diversion.”
As he went to get another chair, I bit my tongue to ask where his earlier diversion went. Had he misplaced her? Wanting to concentrate on something besides him, I tuned back into the other men.
“Iker, Cristiana, this is Rhys. We did introductions while you danced. Have you met?” Odin asked.
“I’ve seen him around, but we haven’t been officially introduced. I’m Iker,” my dance partner said, holding out his hand to Rhys, who took it.
“I’ve seen you, too. Cristiana and I have met.” That was all Rhys said, while drilling me with his gaze. Not wanting to feel like an insect pinned to a board, I scanned the table.
“I bet we have time for another dance before our drinks come. Who would like to show what they’ve got?” I asked quickly.
The chorus of “Me” had me giggling. They appeared to be eager little boys.
To make my selection, I played a game of Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Mo to choose.
It made them grin. I included Rhys and Reuben so as not to raise questions, but as I counted off, I prayed that neither would be selected.
God was listening to me because I ended up on Atlas.
He rose to his feet and came to pull out my chair.
Right before we walked off, he taunted the other guys.
“Sit back and see how it’s done, boys.”
Their boos and hisses followed us to the dance floor.
Like Iker did, Atlas went to the DJ. When he was done talking to him, we waited on the edge of the floor until the current song ended and a new, slower one started.
I had to admit, Atlas was a good dancer, as well.
Iker edged him out a tad, but not by much.
As we danced, he asked me questions that most guys would on a first date if they weren’t self-absorbed.
I answered and did the same back. In no time, the song was over, and we headed back.
I hoped that while we were dancing, Rhys, at least, had given up and left. Nope. And neither had Reuben. How long could he spend with us? He was on the clock. Surely, he wouldn’t get paid to lounge around for the rest of the night.
Retaking our seats, Odin joked, “Atlas, you’re freaking lucky Cristiana is such a great dancer to cover up how terrible you are.”
Atlas snorted. “Well, buddy, let’s see how you do. I know I have talent and that you have two left feet. Cristiana, watch out, he’ll tromp on your toes. Maybe you should skip dancing with this blundering fool.”