“You won’t be our Charlie Brown anymore.”
“Thank Gods for that.” She laughed. “My parents are coming into town and throwing us an engagement party Friday night. You’ll be there, right?”
“Of course.”
“I thought I’d invite everyone here.”
“This isn’t a small party, is it?”
Charlie offered me a wicked grin. “I don’t do small.”
When Friday rolled around, the entire institute buzzed with excitement over the engagement party. Everyone was long gone before I finished and left for home, running straight upstairs to get ready.
Adding the last swipe of lipstick, I looked in the mirror. I tugged at the hem on the pale peach dress and finally satisfied with my look, made my way downstairs.
“Okay, Gray!” I called out, checking the contents of my clutch. “I’ll be back later tonight.”
He appeared before me, causing me to jump and stumble in my heels. Gray caught me, his arm wrapping around my waist. When I looked up at him, he was dressed in a black suit, black dress shirt, and missing a tie.
“Why are you dressed like that?” I asked.
He’d changed out of the white shirt he’d been in earlier, and I couldn’t help but notice how much better the darker shades suited him. Black was Grayson’s colour, and he wore it alarmingly well.
“You didn’t think I’d attend?” he questioned, arching a brow.
That sobered my thoughts. Of course Gray was coming to the party.
“Do not cause trouble,” I warned him through gritted teeth.
“You don’t think very highly of me.”
“You give me no reason to.”
Gray pulled me flush against him, and my mouth ran dry as darkness engulfed us. Once his aura faded, we stood outside the hotel that was hosting the party and I looked at him as he kept a tight grip on me.
“We would have been late if I let you drive,” he explained before I had a chance to scold him. “Your time keeping is disgustingly poor.”
“Gray!” a voice cut across us before I could lecture him.
A handsome man took long, confident strides towards us, and Gray pushed me away from him. I stumbled on the gravel, finding my balance in time and saving myself from hitting the ground.
“You must be Quentin,” he said, smirking. “You’re causing quite a stir.”
Gray narrowed his eyes. “And you should know better than to listen to gossip.”
The man held his hand out to me, and I regarded it warily.
Three.
I had skin to skin contact with three Gods and I wasn’t sure I should do it again.
“I’m Ignacio,” he introduced himself. “And trust me, you’ll like how I make you feel.” Ignacio winked, and I laughed at his brazen attempt to flirt.
“Don’t,” Gray warned sharply, anger warping his features.
That was the push I needed to take Ignacio’s hand, and he pressed his lips to the back of mine.
There was a pure rush of elation. Everything I’d achieved ran through my mind. The feeling of victory coursed through my veins and took my breath away. All the recognition I’d got in my life flashed before my eyes. Ignacio’s touch was nothing short of euphoric.
