“Did I tell you how beautiful you look?” He leans in and whispers.
I watch Sebastian and his sister catching up across from me, purposely keeping my face blank when the rest of me is in riot mode, “You did.”
“This place looks amazing,” He tells me, “You did all of this on your own?”
I glance at him, “Yes, the previous planners quit before it was done.”
“Did you enjoy it?”
I nod slowly, “More than anything else I’ve done.” I admit. “Not sure I’m cut out just to sit behind a big desk, all alone in a stuffy office.”
“You’re not,” his fingers continue to move across my bare skin, ignoring the rest of the table in favor of providing me with his undivided attention. “You have far too much energy to sit behind a desk all day.”
I nod in agreement, “I’m thinking of taking it overcompletely. My managers already run this place fine without me and all I need to do is paperwork every now and then. They don’t need me to manage this place like my dad did.”
He nods, completely invested in what I have to say, even with the riot of sound all around us.
“Olivia!” Savannah calls for my attention and breaking eye contact with Malakai, I turn to face her. She’s young, maybe early twenties and now I know she’s Sebastian’s sister, I see the resemblance.
I fall into an easy conversation with her, trying to keep my attention on her words when Malakai’s hand is still brushing across my spine.
“You’re a dancer, wow!” I beam, “I always wanted to dance but two left feet stopped me.”
She laughs, “It’s a lot of discipline,” she nods, “But I love it. It’s why I was late; I was on tour and we weren’t due back for another week but our last show was cancelled so it was chaos to try and get on a flight. I got back maybe two or three hours ago and then I had to find a dress!”
“Well, I’m glad you made it.” I glance around the table but my attention snags on Killian. He watches Savannah the same way Malakai watches me. Like nothing and no one in the room matters more than she does.
Interesting.
No one else has seemed to notice but he follows her every move, listens to every word and I wonder whatthatstory is.
The main course is served, stopping the conversationmomentarily as wine is refilled and plates are placed in front of everyone. But while we eat, everyone still talks, laughs, except for Malakai who appears to be favoring watching and listening over joining the conversation.
It goes that way for much of the meal, even through dessert, and when the tables are fully cleared and dinner complete, Willow and Savannah get up from the table to go to the bar.
“She’s lovely,” I say to Sebastian.
“She’s young,” He grumbles, “And doesn’t understand how dangerous the world is.”
I snap my head back, “I’m sorry?”
“He doesn’t like her traveling so much,” Dean explains.
“Oh.”
Sebastian shrugs and then grimaces when he sees something over my shoulder.
I try to turn but Malakai wraps his arm around my shoulder, stopping me, but he’s stiff, alert.
“Malakai,” the overly sweet voice churns my stomach. I’ve only been in her presence a couple of times, but I know the voice. Know the sound. “You look handsome.” Regina comments.
The cloying scent of her perfume stuffs itself up my nose but still, Malakai keeps a tight hold on me, stopping me from looking at her. I turn panicked eyes to Bast, but he shakes his head at me, curling his lip when his eyes snap to Regina. Glad to know I’m not the only one at the table who dislikes the woman.
“I didn’t realize you were still coming,” Malakai says flatly.
“I wouldn’t miss this,” She giggles, “It’s your event after all. And the Lauder hotel is one of the nicest hotels in the city. I’ll never pass up the opportunity to be here.”
I make a note to ban her account. Petty? Absolutely. Do I give a fuck? Nope.
