She stepped away from him and pulled on her gloves. “Nothing.” With her head lowered, she saw his fingers curling into fists at her terse response.
As they walked out of her apartment, a strange sense of foreboding took hold of her. It made the tiny hairs on her arms stand on end. She rarely prayed because nothing good ever came out of it. But…
Lord, please don’t let anything go wrong tonight.
***
The scent of perfume and liquor masked the acrid smell of metal. Soft chatter filled the gallery, the tinkling glasses added to the light dissonance. Eve’s head ached from the harshness of the bright lights and her mouth ached from smiling as the night wore on.
She longed to yank off her gloves from her throbbing palms. The numbness she’d hidden behind the entire day was starting to wear off. She and Reynner hadn’t spoken since they left her apartment. Not like she’d given him a chance, but she had to keep him at a distance. How else was she to start living again if she gave in every time he looked at her?
“The shows a brilliant success, Eve,” David said, stopping beside her. “I knew it from the moment I saw that first sculpture you sent Eric.”
“Yes, I remember.” She smiled and took in his appearance. He’d dressed tonight…in a fashion of sorts. Black jeans, neon green shirt teamed with a narrow green and blue tie and a blue coat. And sneakers.
Eve accepted the elegant flute of champagne he held out and took a sip. The bubbly liquid tickled her nose and slid down her throat, easing nerves that had been stretched too taut.
She’d called and apologized to him before she left to Exilum, explaining she had to take a rain check, something urgent had cropped up at the last minute. David, thinking it was work related, had been okay with it.
“You look lovely, Eve.” His warm blue eyes drifted over her in pleasure. His hand settled on her lower back.
“Thank you,” she murmured and wondered why his touch didn’t make her blood soar like Reynner’s did.
“Who’s that guy you came with?” he asked then, sounding a little disconcerted.
Her heart banged in her chest, her stricken gaze dropping to her glass. She had no idea what to say.I’m his mate, but he doesn’t want me?
“He’s…I er—”
“Eve?” Eric appeared at her side. “Can I see you for a sec? Sorry Dave, business.”
David groaned, dropped his hand from her waist. “Darn, just not my night to spend any time with you, is it?”
“Make a date,” Eric advised.
David laughed. “Yeah, working on that one.” He winked at Eve and strolled off into the crowd.
“You looked like the world collapsed around you for a second there—thought you needed rescuing,” Eric said, slipping his arm around her shoulder. She leaned against him, seeking comfort.
“All’s well in Reynner-land, hmmn?” He rubbed her arm.
“Yes,” she lied. “I’m just tired. It’s been a difficult couple of months.”
“I know, Eve. It will be over soon. You did exceptional tonight. You can take a few days off and rest, but not too long, you’re going to be busy,” he said, smiling. “Duke Summers said he hadn't seen anything this compelling in a long time.”
Her eyes widened. She wheeled around. “The art critic? Really?”
“Yes.”
Pleasure warmed her, coating her bruised heart. Her lips curved into a smile.
“Here comes Reynner. Damn guy will give the rest of us men a complex—does he take time out of his day to look this good?”
She had to force herself not to stare as Reynner wove his way through the crowd towards her.
She knew what everyone was reacting to. That allure Reynner’s kind seemed to possess, the untouchable angelic handsomeness all too noticeable. As it was, she had to suffer the baffled looks from more than one woman when they saw Reynner with her. He rarely left her side, unless she was talking to people; only then did he give her space.
Eric drew Reynner into a conversation the moment he stopped beside them.
