We make it to the bottom of the stairs, and it’s as if the sound of our heels on the tile stops their merriment because their laughter ceases.
Willow enters the kitchen with confidence oozing from every pore. She knows she looks good and if the low whistle that comes out of Sebastian is anything togo by, he thinks so too. The damn man has hearts in his eyes. He eats her up, his thumb running along his bottom lip as he checks out every inch of her.
“Give me a spin, sweetheart,” He purrs, “Lemme see all of you.”
Willow throws him a wink and gives him the spin he requested before she refills her champagne glass and slots herself between Killian and Dean, who are checking her out appreciatively.
It’s not until Willow says my name that I realize I’ve stopped just shy of the door, in a way that hides me from them but not them from me.
“Oh right,” I half skip into the room, which almost makes me trip over the lengths of the dress and makes me wobble on the heels on my feet.
“Damn,” It’s Killian who speaks and I snap my eyes to him, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks when I see him obviously, and very appreciatively checking me out. I don’t know why I’m blushing; I’ve been checked out plenty but in front of these guys – I don’t know, feels different somehow.
“Olivia,” Malakai’s voice, a deep rumble that shoots awareness through me has my eyes flicking to him.
He’s staring at me, eyes moving over all of me like he can’t pick a spot to see first.
“You are devastating,” He breathes, taking a step toward me.
He’s handsome himself, in his all-black suit. His shirt is unbuttoned on the first few buttons at the top of his shirt, showing off tan skin. The suit fits his body like a glove, made for him to show off the lines of hisbody, strong arms, thick thighs and wide shoulders.
He’s looked at me like this before, like he’s in awe, wonderstruck but right now, it’s more intimate, even with the four other people in the room with us. It’s like they don’t exist though.
Someone clears their throat and I snap out of whatever trance I was just in. I drop my eyes from his and cross to the champagne, giving myself a little more liquid courage before I check out the other guys too.
Sebastian is in a black and white suit, vest, and tie and all, Killian’s is a deep navy, almost black but in this light the blue shines through and Dean is in white. I almost do a double take since I wasn’t expecting that. His white suit has been paired with a blood red shirt, unbuttoned at the top like Malakai’s.
All the guys are ridiculously attractive, unfairly so and all in different ways. Sebastian has his playboy charm, dimples and blond hair, where Killian and Dean, similar in looks with their darkness but where Killian is more open, Dean is reserved. The brothers both have a mysterious bad boy air about them which is an instant draw. Then there’s Malakai, God like Malakai, with his own devastating looks.
I swallow down my champagne thickly, glancing at the clock.
“Our ride will be here soon,” I say to the room. I’d booked a limo for us all, giving Dennis a night off and the opportunity for us all to travel to the event together.
I feel Malakai watching me still, feel every place his eyes touch but I don’t look at him for fear of him being able to read every emotion on my face.
At six exactly my phone buzzes to let me know our driver is here.
Everyone goes ahead and I hang back, hoping to be the last one out but Malakai is also waiting.
Before I can escape out the door, his hand slides across my back.
“This dress, Olivia,” He purrs in my ear, “You really look beautiful tonight, kitten.”
Swallowing, I will my cheeks not to bloom with color. His fingers play with the ends of my hair, “I like your hair like this.” He tells me.
“Thank you,” My voice shakes when I speak. What the hell is even wrong with me?
“Save me a dance tonight?” He asks, a flicker of vulnerability coming over him and this feeling inside of me only intensifies. I don’t expect real with Malakai but it’s the only thing he has ever given me. He doesn’t hide.
I nod, “All of my dances are yours.”
I almost bite my tongue when the words come out but then his face lights up, the smile stretching his sensual mouth boyish and playful. My heart stutters but then he’s guiding me out the door and into the cold. I’ve forgone a coat since I’ll be inside all evening but this quick stroll to the waiting limo has a chill biting in deep. Malakai ushers me into the limo and I take a seat at the end of the couches set up in the back. Sebastian is pouring champagne while Willow is squished between the two brothers, laughing at something Dean said to her.
Malakai climbs in behind me but instead of sitting inthe vacant seat at my side, he takes my hand and pulls me up before he seats himself and tugs me onto his lap.
I’m so stunned by the move that for a moment, I freeze, but then I realize everyone is watching us and I start to squirm.
Malakai holds me tighter, “You’re where you belong.” He whispers.
