“Don’t stress, it’s just food.”
I swallow. “I don’t do fancy,” I whisper.
His fingers drag across my lower back before they intwine with mine. “Neither do I,” he whispers into my ear just as we wait for the maître d’.
“Good evening, sir.” He looks to Royce, then to me.
“Evening, we’re here meeting Tony, from Zeus Energy.”
The guy skims his pen down his long list then his brows raise and a subtleahaleaves his lips. “Please, follow me.” He steps out from his stand.
Dipping my head, Royce ushers me forward, those fingers trailing across my lower back again and it’s getting harder to ignore the butterflies that flutter in my stomach. I spot Anaïs and Creed before I notice anyone else. Creed stands, shaking his son’s hand and then places a kiss on my cheek. We continue around the table doing pleasantries. An older man sits to the left of Creed, he gives me a smile and I return it.
“Tony,” Royce says as he cups my hand into his, “this is my girlfriend, Athena.” He smiles proudly at me, my eyes softening at the corners, my heart beating a little quicker.
“Pleasure to meet you.” Tony leans across the table and places a kiss onto the back of my hand. His American accent is thick.
“Same to you.” I slip my hand from his grasp and shrink back into my seat.
Anaïs gives me a wink and a smile causing the nerves to settle ever so slightly. Cowan hasn’t taken his eyes off me all night, the timid girl sitting next to him has noticed too and has decided to drown her sorrows in wine. It’s not like she hasn’t tried to get his attention, but he seems to want to rile Royce up any way he can.
A low noise, which imitates a growl, vibrates in Royce’s throat and his eyes crease at the corner as he narrows his gaze on Cowan. Creed catches it and clears his throat trying to gain Royce’s attention.
“Royce,” Anaïs swoops in, “I have some new social media ideas… How would you feel driving Athena around in one of the safety cars, but we’ll add something fun to the mix, like a bowl of flour or something?”
Creed’s brow raises but it seems to work. Royce unlocks his heated gaze from his rival and lands it on Anaïs.
“Sounds good.” His voice is low.
She beams, clapping her hands together. I watch as Creed leans in and places a kiss on the side of her head beforewhispering something into her ear which has her blushing from head to toe.
The food is delicious, the wine is exceptional, and Royce really had nothing to worry about. The impromptu dinner is positive, and Tony wants to extend their sponsorship for another five years which is epically good. Or so I am told.
We sit in the dimly lit bar in our hotel, tucked over by the fireplace. Royce sits in the leather armchair, legs wide, his soda water resting on his knee. The buttons to his polo are undone, his foot bouncing up and down. His ice blue eyes seem hooded, burning into me as his head is slightly tilted. An elbow rests on the arm of his chair; index finger pushed into his cheek whilst his spare fingers and thumb curl around his chin.
“What you thinking about?” I ask, sipping on my passion fruit martini.
“This evening.” He hums. “That dress.” His brows raise high in his forehead, the glint of a wicked smirk appearing on his lips. “Cowan.” He sighs.
“A lot then.” I rub my lips together as I place the delicate cocktail glass on the table.
He shuffles slightly, but not enough to change the way he is sitting.
“Safe to assume that Cowan gets under your skin?”
A breathy laugh passes his lips and he shakes his head. “I can’t stand him. He is entitled.” He pauses and I fight my smile. “I know.” He rolls his eyes. “But he is different. I don’t kknow, he just rubs me up the wrong way.” He drops his elbow and takes a mouthful of his drink, clearly agitated by the conversation.
“What was Kai like?”
“Annoying, but we got on. We worked well. Sure, he did things that pissed me off and vice versa, but not like Cowan. He wants to be number one. Wants to be Saint Onyx’s golden boy…” He trails off and looks across the quiet bar.
“But you want to be it too.” I give a soft nod.
His glare locks on me. “I will be it; there is a difference.”
A sombre mood settles over us and awkwardness bubbles in the depths of me.
“You’re very cocky.” I push my tongue into my cheek.
