"Nah. Everyone we know was invited to this anyway."
"And where's your beau?" Barron asked Ryan.
"There," he indicated in amusement.
Sure enough, Gabe had gathered a group of Eden's supermodel friends for a selfie.
"Oh, no way am I missing out on that," Eden laughed before placing a kiss on Barron's cheek and crossing the dance floor towards Gabe and her friends.
As the night wore on, I danced and laughed the night away with my friends. I hopped from group to group, taking a leaf out of my mom's book by playing hostess once Eden appeared too loved up and drunk with Barron to carry out social duties.
After putting my mom in a taxi home, I made my way toward the bathrooms. Now that I had a moment of quiet, my bladder was protesting.
After doing my business, I left the ladies and came smack into a broad, hard chest.
"Ooof!" I put my hands out to break our collision, an apology ready on my lips.
Until I realized who it was.
"Whoa there, gorgeous," Simon's amused voice vibrated in my ear. He held onto my shoulders and swiftly smoothed his hands down my arms.
I had managed to avoid Simon all night even though he seemed to be playing a game of chess with me, matching my movements around the room with his own.
I quickly stepped out of his embrace. "Watch where you're going," I snapped.
"Hey," he held up his hands, his voice laced with softness as his brown eyes danced mockingly. "I was walking down the hall minding my business. It was you that came out of nowhere."
Even though he was right, I turned my nose up at him and gave an indignant sniff. "Whatever. Excuse me."
But before I could move, Simon stepped closer and trailed a finger down my bare arm. Goosebumps pricked my skin, and I gave a subtle shiver.
"You look beautiful, Sofia," he mumbled. His head bent down towards me. "I can't stand it sometimes," I thought I heard him say.
My breath caught in my throat, alcohol humming through my veins as I stared at his mouth. Surely a man shouldn't have lips that looked that soft and full? His eyes bore into mine as his hand reached out to stroke my face.
His touch was like a cube of ice against my skin, causing me to snap out of my stupor. I grabbed his hand, ready to twist it away from my face. "Where's Maria?" I asked in a tight voice.
"Why, you jealous?" He murmured. The intensity of his hunger caused his eyes to darken as he shuffled a step closer. "Don't you worry about her."
I met his focused stare with a withering one of my own. "Hmm, yes. Not worrying about people is something you're good at."
His brow furrowed at my words, and he leaned back a fraction to search my furious gaze. "What do you mean by that?"
"There you are." Maria's shrill voice interrupted our moment as she slowly approached us. Her icy blue eyes jumped between us, her face turning red with the exertion it was taking to control her annoyance. It was then that I realized I was still grasping Simon's hand.
I hurriedly dropped it as if it was a hot poker and distanced myself from him. It did nothing to cool Maria's glare which seemed only reserved for me.
"I've been looking for you," she gritted out. Her glower never left my face.
Simon stayed where he was, unflinching and uncaring that the woman he was meant to be with had caught him in what appeared to be an intimate moment with another.
I cleared my throat before smoothing down my dress. "He's all yours," I told her before hastily retreating down the hall.
Chapter 4
Simon
Igrimacedwhenmygaze fell on the small wicker basket sitting on the vanity basin beside an array of feminine products and makeup. It was labeled with my name, bracketed by two hearts, and had been sitting there for two months.
