Chapter 20
I shouldn’t have come. That’s the first thought that runs through my head as the valet takes the car and Brie loops her arm through mine. She looks breathtaking in her floor-length gold dress.
During the car ride, I did all I could not to stare at her without making it obvious.
After the mind-blowing sex we had, something has changed between us even though we are pretending like everything’s normal.
It’s why I’m spending more hours in the rink, and when I’m not there, I’m either at the gym or hanging out with Keith.
I noticed how she tried to speak to me the first few days afterwards, but I maintained a blank expression and pretended not to notice her.
If only she knew that it took all my willpower to leave her in bed that day when all I wanted to do was take her over and over again and have her scream my name until the neighbors came knocking at our door.
I thought the distance I created was for the best, but the images from that night are etched permanently into my brain. If anything, the distance has made me more restless, longing for another taste of her.
My resolve weakened the other day when I had a strong urge to see her and not just that, but to be with her. That was why I took the food to her office, as an excuse to see her. I could have sent a delivery guy, but I wanted to see her.
This dinner is an arrangement I would have avoided if it was in my power to, but Collins insisted that we must be in attendance.
Meanwhile I’m in this blue Italian suit that suddenly feels like it’s too snug. I rest my hand lightly on her waist, even though my mind is screaming that I should avoid all forms of body contact before I combust in my pants.
I squint at the lighting in the room before my eyes adjust. The air is filled with excited chatter and soft music to set the mood. I hate these things even though I’ve made numerous public appearances since I went pro.
Brie has gotten better since the last one, nodding at familiar faces and exchanging polite greetings. I watch her mouth curve as she thanks some old man for complimenting her dress. She doesn’t even flinch when someone calls her “Mrs. Gray.”
But I do, every single time.
“You’re glaring,” she whispers, her lips close to my ear. She’s tiptoeing, even in her heels to reach my height.
“Am I?”
“Yes.” There’s a hint of amusement in her tone, like she finds it funny. “Try not to look like you’re about to murder someone.”
I grunt, adjusting my grip on her waist. Easier said than done.
I grab a glass of champagne and sip whilst exchanging pleasantries. A blonde woman whose name I can’t remember but I’m sure I’ve been acquainted with in the past, compliments my outfit, her hands lingering on my arm.
“You didn’t call me after the last time. I thought we had fun.”
I stare at her blankly. I’m positive I haven’t had anything to do with this one beyond flirtation. I glance at Brie but she’s chatting with another socialite. It’s a good thing she didn’t hear that.
“I’m not sure I understand what you mean, Miss?”
“Just call me, Erica. I must say, your wife is quite beautiful but,” she leans in closer, “does she really satisfy you in bed?”
How shameless can one be? “Erica, if my husband wasn’t satisfied in bed, he’d probably be jumping your bones by now.”
I stifle a smile at Brie’s reply, so she has been listening.
She gasps and places a hand on her chest dramatically. “What did you just say to me?”
“I’m quite appalled by your behavior, Erica. I pegged you for someone more sensible.”
Her face goes red with embarrassment. Before she can think of a comeback, Brie tugs my arm and I lead her the other way.
“That was unexpected.”
She smiles, “Surprises come with the package.” She winks and I can’t fight the smile on my face.
Then I see a face I’d rather not see. My smile wanes. Jack the bastard is across the room, surrounded by people, that fake-perfect smile plastered across his face. These days he’s like my evil shadow, can’t seem to get rid of him.
My stomach knots immediately and I clench my fists. A groan slips out before I can stop it.
Brie notices. Her gaze follows mine and lands right on him.
Her lips part slightly. “That’s him.”
I glance down at her. “Him?”
“The man with the blue eyes,” she reminds me, “The one from the gala, the one who wouldn’t stop staring.”
“Yeah, the cute one you said?”
I remember that night. I remember my own blood simmering.
“Don’t,” Brie says quickly when she sees my fists clench.
“Don’t what?” My voice comes out rough.
“I said that to mess with you. I didn’t know who he was, but I do now.
Don’t let anyone get to you,” she says, holding my stare.
Her eyes are calm, like she knows I’m two seconds from storming across the room and breaking his nose.
“Just smile, Cameron. You’re way better looking than that guy. Let’s enjoy the night.”
Smile? That won’t be hard if I keep my gaze trained on her but then that will come off as weird. She’s looking at me like she actually believes I can be good and maybe that’s the only reason I give her a small nod.
“Fine,” I grit out.
Even as I nod, my eyes don’t leave Jack. He shakes hands, laughs, claps someone on the back like he’s everyone’s best friend––a perfect show but I know better. That charm hides poison. I know that better than anyone.
“Brie,” some woman calls, sweeping over in a glittering gown. Brie turns, polite smile in place, slipping into conversation.
I stay beside her, but my mind isn’t here. It’s across the room, locked on the enemy.
I can feel Brie glance at me between polite responses, probably noting the way my posture is still uptight. I know I should let it go, for her sake if not mine but I can’t help it. His presence is like an itch I can’t scratch.
A waiter offers me a drink. I take it down in one gulp. It doesn’t help.
My gaze goes back to Jack, and sure enough, his head turns. For half a second, our eyes meet across the room and his smile widens like he has won a lottery.
Brie touches my wrist lightly, “Cameron,” she whispers under her breath, “you promised.”
“I don’t make promises,” I mutter, but I unclench my jaw.
She squeezes my wrist once before letting go, turning back to her conversation partner.
I exhale slowly, trying to focus on the sound of her voice instead of the roaring in my head.
We move to the dining area where long tables have been decorated and set for the guests. Brie’s seat is beside mine, of course. She slips into it gracefully.
“You look like you’d rather be anywhere else,” she murmurs, leaning just close enough.
“I would,” I admit.
“Too bad,” she says lightly, picking up her fork. “We’re here.”
I glance at her, studying the way her lashes lower as she takes a sip of water. She’s calm and collected. She’s right. If I let him get to me, Jack wins. And I don’t lose, especially not to him.
Still, my eyes scan the room, searching for him. He’s seated too, charming some poor woman at his table, blue eyes glinting with mischief. I grip the stem of my glass too tightly.
“Brie.”
She tilts her head, waiting.
“Stay close to me tonight.”
Her brows lift slightly. “I was planning to.”
“No.” My voice drops lower, “I mean it. Don’t wander.”
She studies me for a minute, then sighs softly. “Okay.”
The dinner goes by in a blue of voices rising in that fake polite chorus of laughter and compliments that mean nothing.
I tune most of it out, chewing mechanically, nodding when I have to, but my eyes keep moving, restless, scanning the room for the thing I know is coming because there’s always a catch with Jack.
My eyes narrow on his chair which is now empty. He must have slipped away from his table when no one noticed. They’re too busy with their wine glasses and their empty chatter.
I catch sight of him at the far end of the hall, near the stage where the orchestra’s tucked away.
He bends slightly, almost casually, hand trailing the base of one of the stage props.
To anyone else it looks harmless, maybe admiring the setup but no.
His movements are too suspicious. I watch his fingers fiddle with something, but I can’t make out what it is from where I’m seated.
My stomach churns. What the hell is he doing?
I lean forward, pretending to grab bread, watching through lowered lashes. The bastard straightens, fixes his jacket, flashes a smile like he’s just stretching his legs. Nobody pays attention but I saw it.
Brie’s voice reaches my ears. “You’re stiff again,” she mutters without looking up from her plate.
“I need to use the bathroom,” I mumble, already pushing my chair back.
She frowns at me, “Don’t be too long though.”
I move through the crowd, weaving between tables with my heart pounding. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe he was just having a look at it, maybe I imagined the movement of his hand. But no. I know what I saw.
The bathroom is silent. My reflection stares back at me in the mirror, eyes troubled, veins standing out in my neck.
I splash cold water on my face, grip the counter and try to breathe.
I hear a sound behind me. It’s a faint rustle, barely discernible.
I turn as I see something slide under the stall door. It’s a folded note.
Slowly, I bend and pick it up. The handwriting on the paper is neat but slanted like someone was writing while looking over their shoulder.
Be careful. Eyes are on you. Not everyone here is your friend.
There’s no name so I don’t have a clue who sent it. I stare at it so long the words blur.
My mind goes back to Brie still seated out there. I fold the note and shove it deep into my pocket then I exit the bathroom with one location in mind––Brie.