She settled for resting her head against my shoulder. Which was both socially acceptable and had the happy side effect of completely distracting me from this latest debacle.
I could help her right now, just like she’d helped me. Rubbing her arm, I held her close, relishing the warmth of her body leaning into mine. Her hair tickled my arm, but weirdly it didn’t bother me the way soft, tickly sensations often did.
Because it’sher.
I brushed off the silly thought and risked another glance across the runway. The house lights flickered, dimmed, and a set of obnoxious spotlights started sweeping from the stage to the audience and back again.
My breath caught in my throat, and I froze, waiting for the lights to stray over the patch of audience where Rumi was seated. My blood chilled in my veins when I caught a glimpse of the woman who had just taken the seat next to Rumi.
Cadence greeted Ri’s ex like they were old friends, planting European kisses on her cheeks as they chatted. Rumi leaned in, murmuring something into Cadence’s ear, and then the pair of them fixed their stares directly on us.
The music changed, and River’s voice announced, “This is Fluss. Fashion without the fuss. Lifestyle pieces that you can live in. Using sustainably made and sourced fabrics, every piece is made right here in Australia.”
“What the actual fuck is going on right now?” Ri mumbled, straightening.
“Do you mean with the show?” I muttered, tightening my grip on her. “Or?—”
“I mean your ex and my ex, looking far too friendly for it to be anything but sinister.”
“Hmm.” There really was nothing more to say about it as models began to strut their way down the runway. I couldn’t focus for too long, because the lights strobed just often enough to make my eyes twitch. All I could make out was a maelstrom of colour.
I focused instead on Ri’s hand on my knee, my stomach swirling at the thought of what Cadence and Rumi might have discussed. Rumi knew far too much, and she was far too volatile to be trusted. And the predatory way she watched Ri from across the room was enough to make me want to haul Ri over my shoulder and leave this place, to get her out of those crosshairs.
“We need to find out what she wants,” Ri murmured. “If we just leave here without confronting her, she’s only going to do something even crazier to try to get to me.”
I nodded once, squeezing her tighter to me. She was right, but I didn’t have to like it. If I had my way, Ri would never have to associate with anyone who hurt her. Past, present or future.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
Bloodthirsty
IRINA
Ihated champagne. I especially hated champagne that was zero percent alcohol. I needed a good half a bottle of vodka to fortify myself for this fashion-launch after-party showdown, and this whole event was dry.
Who the fuck hosted a dry event?
What the fuck was Rumi doing here? And with Cadence? I needed answers, but I wasn’t about to be the one to march up to her and demand them. I wanted to make her come to me. Except so far, Rumi and Cadence seemed to be very deliberately keeping their distance.
This was calculated. She was trying to get me to a state of such heightened anxiety that I wouldn’t be able to think straight when she confronted me. I was sure of it.
And it was working.
“I never thought I’d say this, Henry … but you don’t happen to have your vape on you, do you?”
Henry’s hand tightened in mine. “No, sorry. I was distracted when you walked into my bedroom earlier wearing …that… I forgot everything. Even my wallet.” His eyes strayed to my breasts, which were holding up pretty well with the boob tape I’d strapped them in with.
“I love it when your earnestness comes out a little dirty, Hubby,” Imurmured. Perhaps some light flirting would be a good distraction from the constant feeling of being watched by two women who wished me ill. “But come see me later when I’m covered in welts from ripping industrial-strength sticky tape off my tits, and we’ll see if you’re still unable to form a thought.”
“Perhaps I could kiss them better,” Henry mumbled, then, pink-cheeked, took a sip of his zero-fun bubbly.
“Well,thatwas just flat-out dirty … and I wouldn’t say no to it,” I whispered, wishing I could enjoy the thought of his mouth on my breasts, but it all felt too caught up in these deepening feelings I had for him.
Flirting with him was easy. Teasing him? It was my favourite pastime. But underneath the banter was the knowledge that it meant so much more to me than just the words I said out loud.
The sick feeling in my stomach intensified as I thought about all the ways Rumi could wreck this for me. And not just my chance at becoming an Australian … but this thing that was growing between Henry and me, whether we wanted it to or not.
Don’t kid yourself. You want it.
