My hands seemed to remember how soft that hair was, and seeing it so fluffy had my fists opening and closing. His exposed tattoos, the hand wrapped around that cup… fuck, those hands.
And when my gaze moved back up to his face, I forgot how to breathe.
Because he was looking right at me, and I could almost feel the pull of his body from across the room.
His brows narrowed slightly, widened eyes locked on mine like someone had zapped him frozen. I didn’t realize I was shaking until I felt my teeth chatter when I swallowed.
I inhaled a too-sharp breath and forced my eyes away from him, almost dizzy as cold sweat broke out on my forehead. How—howdid just seeing him cause this reaction?
I pinched Lana’s elbow. “Hey, I’m going to the bathroom,” I told her.
Lana scowled. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just need a minute.” My eyes darted back over to where Gavin remained, and Lana’s gaze followed.
“Oh, shit,” she muttered. “Oh,fuck—“
“I have your drink, Chloe,” Tyler said as he appeared in front of me. He set the drink on the table and frowned. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just going to go to the bathroom. I got dizzy all of a sudden. I think it’s the lights.” I brushed his cheek comfortingly with my hand, and he kissed my knuckle in response. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be right back,” I said, removing myself from their sides before either could say anything more.
Fuck.
CHAPTER SIX - GAVIN
AVRIL HAD LIED about the size of this function. She guided me through this throng of people she insisted I needed to meet, most notably the owners, as we would be working closely together for the next few months.
Something felt odd about the party the moment I walked in. The hair on the back of my neck stood, an antsy feeling in my bones. My senses seemed to be on alert. But all that faded when I spotted Avril in the crowd.
“You’re late,” she said upon seeing me.
“I thought this was supposed to be a small gathering,” I said.
Avril smiled. “Some people I want you to meet,” she said. She handed me a drink and linked her arm to mine, and I followed her to a table where two women stood. Avril introduced me quickly, and I barely caught their names. I wanted to pay attention to them, only I couldn’t for that sensation coming back and taking over, though this time, the same warmth I’d felt during the visions came to the surface.
Eyes were on me. I faked a laugh when everyone else laughed, my abdomen suddenly churning as I searched for the person I knew was staring. People seemed to be in their own conversations, but I noticed someone standing stiffly on the other side of the room. I realized it was them watching me. My gaze focused through the dim amber lights—
Fucking…what?
I couldn’t function. Breath escaped me. My stomach dropped.
She was there.
It washer.
My heart somersaulted at the sight of Chloe. She hadn’t changed much, though somehow she was even more beautiful. She was wearing a black, long-sleeve, scoop-neck dress that hugged her full breasts and the curves of her hips, showing off her long legs.
I remembered those legs. I remembered them around my face, my waist, and bent over in front of me. I remembered her softness in my hands, how she tasted, and the noises she made. Fucking gods, thosenoises. I’d replayed them in my head more times than I could count. I’d dreamed of holding her again, and seeing her there…shit.
Maybe I could.
But what the fuck was she doing here? Did she work for this company?
I had to know.
A man appeared at her side and handed her a drink. Her friend—Leila? Lisa? Lana? I couldn’t remember her name, but she was standing there with them. Had they both moved across the country? Who was the man?
My mind spun. I excused myself from my current conversation, saying I needed to use the restroom, and I stalked around the room, making sure to stay out of her sightline so I could scope things out. The man beside her was just an inch or so taller than her, with dark brown hair and a clean-shaven face. He looked like the investment type—wearing a suit to a casual dinner party. Jealousy twisted my muscles as she brushed her hand on his cheek.
