Chapter 2
TWO
SAVANNAH
I stare up at the structure in front of me, filled with trepidation, waiting to go into the Thorn house.
Apparently, they’re having some kind of party, and my father was all too enthused to bring his precious daughter along.
What a joke.
The building looms over me, taunting me. Not only do I not want to see Harley, but I’d rather be anywhere else than be paraded around inside by my father while he boasts about my achievements, as though he actually cares about me.
Spoiler alert—he doesn’t.
Before I know it, my father is taking my elbow. I look up to find him smiling down at me in the practiced way he does every time we leave the house.
We head inside together, pausing to greet those who merit his time and attention, and ignoring those who don’t.
My eyes flit around the room, bouncing from person to person, and I have to fight not to flinch every time someone new comes to speak to us.
I really, really hate this.
I take a deep breath and try to focus on the room rather than the partygoers. The inside of the house looks just as elegant as the outside. Though the word ‘house’ is putting it mildly, it’s more of a mansion, and it definitely doesn’t look like a home.
This is no doubt just one of many properties owned by the Thorn family.
“Ah, Colin, you made it,” a deep voice says, and I dutifully turn my attention towards the man it came from. Standing in a tuxedo and looking like the king of his empire is Corvin Thorn, billionaire entrepreneur and Harley’s father.
The man looks so much like his son up close it’s almost startling, but I keep my composure.
Whereas my father comes across as gruff, yet slightly welcoming to him, Corvin greets us with a wide, warm smile.
Is it real? Or is it just an act, like my father’s?
From what I’ve seen of his son—who also knows how to work a room—I’m going to go with the latter.
That’s the thing about the people who run in these circles, they’re almost always wearing a mask, and they never show their true selves unless in the comfort of their own homes.
Though honestly, I doubt most of the people in this room are as big an asshole as my father.
The two start chatting, and I stand there, just like the perfect daughter would, before the last person I want to see sidles up next to us. He grins widely as his eyes rake over me but it just makes me want to shy away from his scrutiny.
Harley’s wearing a black suit, fitted perfectly to mold against his body with emerald accents that complement his tanned skin.
He has this whole sun-kissed, relaxed look going on, and with his golden hair messy on top of his head—as though he’s been running his fingers through it—he looks gorgeous.
With his bright blue eyes, sharp jawline and perfectly white teeth, he’s the embodiment of rich bad boy, but his smile seems genuine, unlike so many of the people in this room.
He’s pretty… and a dick.
“Ah, Harley, you know Colin and Savannah Marks, right?” Corvin says, to which Harley responds with a sly grin, his eyes fixated on me.
“Of course,” he murmurs dutifully before holding a hand out towards me. “Care for a dance?”
I tense, not knowing what to do. I’d really rather not get anywhere close to Harley, but it would also be rude of me to deny him.
I must take too long to debate it, because my father gently shoves me toward the boy in question.
“Of course she’d like to dance. Have fun, kids.”
I guess that settles it then.
Not wanting to cause a scene, my trembling hand reaches out to take Harley’s and I let him lead me away.
This is bad.
The way Harley makes me feel is… different. I don’t know how else to describe it, since I’ve never felt the way I do, but I can’t let myself get close to him, not when I know what the outcome would be if I did.
Once we’re settled in the middle of the room, his hands find my hips, and my eyes flick over to my father. Seeing his eyes on us, I wrap my arms loosely around Harley’s shoulders.
“Why are we dancing?” I ask as we gently sway to the music.
“Whatever do you mean, princess?” he asks with mock innocence. I stare up at him. “What? You don’t like the nickname? Don’t worry, we’ll come up with cute pet names for each other in time.”
I huff and fix my attention past his shoulder, hoping he doesn’t see the quirk of my lips at the fact he wants to give me a pet name.
“You looked miserable,” he whispers against my ear. “I hate these things, and I could tell by your body language you do too, so I thought I’d whisk you away for a little while to give you a break.”
I bite down gently on my lower lip. “I wasn’t aware you were so chivalrous.”
“It’s just one of many ways I plan on winning you over.”
“That will never happen,” I whisper, but find myself leaning my head against his shoulder. His body against mine, guiding me expertly around the dance floor, isn’t something I should be enjoying, but I really do.
I pull back, and when his pretty blue eyes meet mine, I find myself getting lost in them. God, he really is handsome, even though he is a douchebag.
Goddammit.
Harley’s the type of guy to sleep with someone and never call again, while I’m… well, I’m not anything, but no one has ever looked at me the way he’s gazing down at me right now.
Like he wants to devour me.