On these words I disappear in my burgundy Audi and drive off. I’m not sure when Andrew will show up, so I don’t start getting ready until six when I notice–after getting lost in my writing–that it’s getting late.
I stare at the closet, digging through my brain for outfit ideas. He said dinner, not a freaking gala. I can’t go wrong with a pair of black tailored trousers and a light blue button-up shirt.
My phone rings in the distance. I jump over the bed to grab it, and pick up, almost flying off the mattress.
My heart misses a beat when I hear his voice.
“I’m downstairs.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.”
I pack my room key and my phone, then head out. A blossom of nervousness prickles in my gut but I push it down. When I step out of the lobby, a fresh breeze hits me in the face. Relishing the feeling of the cold against my skin, I shut my eyes.
A soft and low voice brushes against my ear. “Ready to go?”
I nod, and although a hint of hesitation pesters my mind, I accept the hand he extends. Together we make our way to his car as black as the night and as beautiful as sin.
Beautiful like him, the voice in the back of my mind muses.
Shut up.
“I hope I didn’t arrive too early.”
I chuckle and strap on my seat belt. “Of course not. You’re right on time.”
He gazes at me for a moment, taking in my appearance, and smiles before driving off. I glance at him during the ride whenever I sense his attention on me, then I look away, pretending to be oblivious.
21
Visha
Eyes deeper than the bottom of the ocean settle on me, making me squirm with need.
The room is bustling with people dressed in fancy attires, acting all high and mighty, but my attention is held captive by the most beautiful of them all.
Aoi dines with more poise and eloquence than a lord. I almost feel out of place sitting at the same table as him. He’s just so fucking perfect that I can’t help but think I don’t deserve his attention.
“How was your day?”
He chuckles lightly, leaving me wondering how to uncover the truth that lurks beneath. “It was good. Pretty calm and amusing.”
“That sounds promising.”
“I had coffee with Aiden Morgan this afternoon, can you believe this?” he asks, amused, a soft smile lingering on his lips. “He mentioned you, you know? He didn’t say much, but based on what he said, I’m guessing the both of you know each other personally.”
That bastard spoke about me to Aoi? I’ll fucking murder him.
“Oh really? I hope it wasn’t all negative.”
He scratches an invisible itch at the back of his nape. “Why do you say that? Are there naughty things you did that you don’t want me to find out about?”
“Of course not,” I shake my head. “It’s just that he doesn’t like me, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he said some insensitive things about me.”
“Now I’m curious to know why there’s such animosity between the two of you.” He clasps his hands and smiles. “I won’t pry. Believe it or not, but I didn’t mean to ever see Aiden again. He did me a favor when I needed it, so I supposed meeting him for coffee couldn’t hurt.”
I hesitate for a second before I muster the courage to ask, “Are you two close?”
“I wouldn’t say closeper se, but I guess we got closer after spending the afternoon together. He’s a more complex person than you’d think.”
