“Of course, I’m shocked. Lucian just told me?—”
Fear struck my chest that he’d call me out, asking Aspen for an explanation he couldn’t get from me. “Corbin,” I warned.
“That he likes pineapple on his pizza.”
Relief washed through me in a rush, air flooding back into my lungs at the same time as both women said, “Ew.”
I shot Corbin a glare, then offered Aspen a self-deprecating smile and shrug. Before anyone could add another word, a voice cut in from outside our circle.
“Oh, wow. Mr. Daire and Mr. Black. Two of the most prominent business moguls here tonight. I’d love to chat if you have a moment.”
I never got a chance to look his way. My eyes locked on Aspen instead; her face ghostly pale. My chest tightened at the sight. Whatever hit her so hard, I felt it too, sharp and personal.
CHAPTER 5
ASPEN
Blood drained from my head to my feet, taking my heart to the pit of my stomach, where it churned until I thought I’d vomit.
Without even seeing his pointed nose, thin lips, and dark, beady eyes, I knew exactly who it was. Brian Kerr. A star football player from high school who’d paid my boyfriend to watch the homemade videos he’d made of us without my knowing. A piece of shit who continued to proposition me for a live performance until graduation. An asshole who cornered me after a game, assuming he could take what he wanted.
I wondered if he still remembered my knee in his balls as much as I remembered his disgusting, sweaty hands.
Despite his nasally voice sending me into a tunnel vision of memories, I knew Lucian was watching me. His gaze stroked along my cheek, seeing more than I wanted him to. No way in hell would anyone see me at anything other than my best at an event hosted by Quinn Music Group. Not Lucian, and definitely not Brian himself, because no way in hell did I want him to think he affected me after seven years.
He doesn’t affect me,I reminded myself.
He doesn’t affect me. He doesn’t affect me. He has no control over me. I am in control.
I repeated the words like a mantra, taking deep inhales through my nose and long exhales through my mouth. Confident in that reminder, I lifted my chin and wore a cool, calm, and controlled exterior like a coat of armor.
Glancing at Lucian, I caught his studious look and raised brow—but ignored it, stepping forward into view of Brian and bracing for impact. Lucian angled himself closer to my side, sliding his palm along the bare skin of my back, where it had been all night. Unbidden, my body heated where the rough pads of his fingers stroked along each vertebra down my spine while the rest of me remained frozen.
Brian was angled away from me as he shook Corbin’s hand, smiling like some car salesman with his bland, brown hair slicked back and lanky body barely filling out his cheap suit. He didn’t notice me—especially once Corbin introduced Rose, and Brian’s gaze snapped to her, lingering in that disgustingly familiar way that set my teeth on edge.
“Rose Berkshire?” Brian repeated unnecessarily. “Any relation to the club, The Berkshire?”
Rose carefully extracted her hand from Brian’s lingering grip and offered a guarded smile. “Yes. My father started the club. However, after he passed away, I took over.”
“I’ve heard fantastic things about The Berkshire.” He waggled his brows, looking Rose up and down. “I would never assume that a pretty thing like you would be behind such a…place like that.”
Gross.
And dumb. If Corbin’s scowl grew any darker, he’d give Lucian a run for his money in becoming the new dark and dangerous. Not that he had anything to worry about, because Rose could handle herself.
“I would never assume a…” She returned the favor of looking Brian up and down with a saccharine smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “A man like you would know anybody who’s aware of The Berkshire’s reputation.”
Brian pressed a hand to his chest with a falsely bashful smile, missing the negative connotation of Rose’s words and assuming she meant he was too much of a gentleman to go to a kink club.
Yeah, right.
“I may appear like a…vanillatype of guy, but I assure you, your club would be a place I’d love to visit. Maybe we could chat later about an invitation.”
Lucian’s fingers flexed against my back, as if restraining himself from stepping in on Corbin’s behalf to forcefully remove Brian’s lewd gaze from Rose. I kind of hoped he would, but Rose handled Brian like a professional, and the more occupied he was with others, the less likely I’d have to suffer his attention on me. I was content to never have him notice me at all.
“Maybe. Although our vetting process is extensive. Thanks to my fiancé’s assistance, we’re able to perform more in-depth background checks on our clientele, which can lead to long waits,” Rose explained, successfully avoiding any promises while directing the conversation to Corbin.
“Of course, of course,” Brian agreed with a wink.
