Chapter 15
FIFTEEN
Standing at the edge of the large, open foyer, I watched as Hollywood elite mingled with New York’s power players. No expense had been spared to make tonight memorable. The museum playing host had pulled out all of the stops to transform the space to fit the event’s theme. The decorations were lush and lavish, the food served from top-tier chefs. It was the kind of party most people would give anything to attend once in their lives.
Yet here I was, unfazed by any of it, too focused on the other side of the room.
“Drink.”
As he approached me, Jack practically forced the glass of champagne into my hand. Not that it took much convincing. I’d been on edge all night, and it was only getting worse. Taking the crystal flute, I downed the champagne in one sip, not bothering to savor the taste. It wasn’t enough. All the alcohol in the world wouldn’t be able to soothe me tonight, to take this weight off of my chest.
I should have known that bringing Calla here was a mistake .
Not because she wasn’t doing her job beautifully. From the moment she entered the room, almost all eyes were on her. How could they not be? I’d barely been able to tear my eyes away from her all night. From the moment she stepped out of the hallway in her navy-blue gown, I was bewitched. Calla would be beautiful in any situation, but she looked like she was born into this world. She was the most captivating woman in the room.
Unfortunately, it was clear I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. People had been coming up to her all night, pretending to talk to Jack and me but keeping their attention on her. After the fifth monotonous conversation, I excused myself, sure that Devyn would keep Calla away from any harm. But even as I made my way to the bar, my eyes remained fixed on her.
Jack sighed at my side, dropping his elbows on the bar. “Do you know what you’re doing there?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I could practically feel Jack’s eye roll. “I know I gave you shit before, but that was because I just thought this was a hit-it-and-quit-it kind of thing.” He shook his head. “But the way you’re looking at Calla right now?”
I shook my head, waving my hand to signal the bartender. “And how exactly is that?”
“Like you want to rip the face off every guy who talks to her.”
I exhaled slowly, scrubbing my hands over my face. He was right. I could feel tension ripping through my veins every time Calla smiled at anyone else. Tonight was a test of my self-control, and I was failing. From the moment I arrived at her apartment, I wanted to pull Calla into my arms and never let her go. She wore a dress that clung to her delicate curves, the material glistening with every step. The plunging neckline also did nothing to help my resolve. I sighed, leaning against the bar counter. “It doesn’t matter. You know the rules, Jack. I can’t—no, I won’t risk both of our careers.” I lifted my head, turning to meet Calla’s sweet grin once more. “No matter how tempting it might be.”
“Fuck that,” Jack scoffed. “You think half the partners haven’t slept with their assistants? And that’s just because they’re looking for some excitement. You have feelings for Calla.” He shrugged, like it was the easiest decision in the world. “I say go for it.”
“It’s not that simple.”
“If everything else went away tomorrow—the job, the stress, your whole world—would you regret not telling her how you feel?”
Yeah, I would. I wanted to see Calla’s smile every morning, and not behind a pane of glass. I wanted to be the one who earned all her laughter, to be the cause of her best days. I wanted to have so much more than stolen moments, ones we both knew couldn’t last long.
I wanted Calla Winters more than I’d ever wanted anything else in my life.
As if he could read the resolution written on my face, Jack grabbed his glass and clapped me on the shoulder with his free hand. “That’s what I thought.”
Calla brushed her hair behind her shoulder, politely chuckling at the C-list actor in front of her. As much as it was driving me mad, at least she was making an attempt to be polite with potential clients. Her sister, on the other hand, looked like she’d rather be sipping cement.
Turning over my shoulder, I located Jack in the crowd, using his support to my advantage. I touched Devyn’s back, making her flinch before turning toward me. She just arched a brow, her expression as cold as ice. I did my best to smile at her, but it came off forced and unnatural. “Jack wants to dance with you.”
Devyn rolled her eyes. “And why didn’t he come over himself and ask like a big boy?”
“You scare the shit out of him,” I blurted out, sure that my friend would punch me in the balls the next time he saw me. “He’s intimidated by you, but he thinks you’re beautiful and would like the chance to get to know you better.”
Devyn stared at me for a moment, debating the validity of my lie. But eventually, she placed her champagne on the high-top table next to her and took off in Jack’s direction. Now, hopefully, his charm would be enough to keep her occupied for a while.
I placed my hand on Calla’s forearm, pulling her attention away from the group. “If you would excuse Ms. Winters, we have a few matters to discuss.”
As we walked away from the rest of the group, Calla tilted her head toward me. “What exactly is this super important matter?”
“I wanted to spend some time with you without having to compete for your attention.”
She let out a little laugh. “Theo Ayad, are you jealous?”
“Desperately,” I answered honestly.
As she stared back at me in surprise, I led us out of the ballroom and into the museum's hallway. We walked down through the gallery until we approached a set of velvet ropes blocking off one of the minor exhibits. Calla scrunched her face as I ducked underneath, holding it up so she could join me.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she hissed as she climbed next to my side. “We’re not supposed to be back here.”
“Live a little, Calla,” I chuckled, taking her hand so I could lead her through the maze of artifacts. The lights were dimmed, but luckily, it was bright enough to see where we were going. Not that I had any clue where these halls led. All I could hope was that security would be at the party, guarding the most valuable exhibits and high-end clientele.
When I pulled her into an alcove, Calla tugged my hand, forcing me to stop. “Theo, wait. What is this?”
“I told you.” I stepped into her space. “I needed a moment alone with you—away from clients, away from the other employees, away from everything.” I sighed, lifting my fingers to brush her cheeks. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Calla.”
She sharply inhaled, her eyes widening at my admission. She slowly shook her head. “We can’t do this, Theo.”
“Then tell me you don’t want me. Tell me you don’t think about me.” I placed her hand over my heart. “Because all I can see is you, Calla. Every time I close my eyes, there you are, tempting me to the brink of insanity, and I’m so fucking tired of trying to pretend otherwise.”
She chewed on her lower lip, her eyes frantically searching mine. After the longest moment of my life, she shook her head. “You know how I feel about you, Theo. But the rules–”
“Fuck the rules.”
As soon as the words left my lips, I crashed them against Calla’s. She let out a little gasp when I kissed her but then instantly melted against me. Getting a taste of her was better than any drug, better than any high. Nothing else could ever compare. Calla’s hands reached up, pulling on the short hairs at the back of my neck as if she needed me even closer.
I was all too happy to oblige, trailing my hands down her hips to her thighs, lifting her off the ground. Her back softly collided with the wall, and her legs wrapped tightly around my waist. Fuck, her mouth was heaven. It was probably a mistake, because this one kiss would never be enough. Now that I’d felt Calla’s lips on mine, there was no way I’d be letting her go.
As if she would feel the possessive turn my thoughts had taken, Calla pulled back slightly and let out a quiet laugh as she touched her fingertips to her lips. “I can’t believe that just happened.”
“It was a matter of time.” I kissed her once again, and she sighed as my tongue brushed against hers, stirring up another wave of need. But when she tensed in my arms, I paused. “Are you having second thoughts?”
“Not at all,” she sighed. “Not about you. It’s just…” Her bright eyes met mine. “Are you sure this is what you want? You’re not into relationships–”
“I wasn’t into relationships with anyone else, Calla.” I pressed my lips to her forehead. “Being with you is a different story. I know this is complicated, and we’re going to have to figure out what it looks like outside of this room.” I lifted my hand, brushing the hair away from her face. “But I don’t want to miss out on this, miss out on us , because of what might happen. So, for tonight, let’s stop worrying about tomorrow’s troubles and focus on what we both want. What we both need.”
She stared at me for a long moment, and my heart stilled in my chest. I meant what I said, but in truth, my feelings were already so much more profound. It had been a long time since I felt the pull to someone like I did with Calla. She was quickly becoming my reason for getting out of bed in the morning, the reason my smiles came easier. She’d brought joy back into my life, and I’d fight like hell to keep it.
After the longest pause of my life, she leaned forward, claiming my mouth once more. But before we could deepen it too much, she uncrossed her legs, dropping them back down to the ground. As she took a step away from me, she held out her hand. “My place or yours?”