“Well, Rex certainly never mentioned what a stunner you are.” Jake lavished me with a smile I could easily departmentalize as creepy. He was tall and while I wouldn’t call him good-looking, he was attractive enough to earn some admiration from the opposite sex. Yet, something about his dark eyes and the way it roamed over my body, just added that hint of uncertainty I couldn’t describe.
“Hi.” I accepted his hand in a shake, conscious of his cold touch and the even colder vibe around him. He gave off none of the heated sexiness the stranger in the restaurant had shown and down south, not even a wisp of a tingle could be felt. I hid my disappointment behind a small smile. As if she noticed my response, Ishara curled an arm around my waist and gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Come, I’m sure you can use a drink.” Jake gestured toward what I assumed to be his living room.
Several men stood around chatting and turned to stare when we entered. He offered me a glass of something from a passing waiter then began introducing me to the men whose names I didn’t even bother repeating in my head. It was a technique I’d formed in kindergarten to learn the names of the people I’d meet, that way I didn’t forget. My mom had called me her little genius when people visited my father and I could remember who they were.
By the time we reached the tenth man, I was beginning to think it was a men’s only party when I spotted all the women through the patio doors and wondered why the need for separation. They all seemed to be staring in one direction then every few seconds or so, they would talk among themselves then turn away, to stare again. Maybe they were watching an entertainment act I couldn’t see from where I stood.
“You okay,” Ishara came up behind me as Jake stepped away for a second. “He’s not the one you want, right?” she whispered in my ear.
Pasting a fake smile on my face, I turned slightly so Jake couldn’t hear me and through clamped teeth asked, “can we leave?”
Ishara glanced around and I guessed she was looking for Rex when her searching gaze stopped on him. He stood across the room from us, and by the look on his face was engaged in a serious discussion. “I’ll check with Rex if we can. Pretend you’re having some fun and I’ll come up with an excuse to leave,” she murmured. “If you want to know, there’s some serious eye candy out by the pool.
Laughing, I slapped a hand to my mouth to stop it and looked at my cousin. “Is that why all the women are out there?” She nodded. “The guy’s one fine piece of ass I’d want to pin me down and do dirty things to me. And trust me, I won’t bath after that, for a week.” We broke out in another burst of laughter which we quickly hid when Rex turned to look at us, his brow arched as if questioning our mirth while everyone else looked like World War three was about to start.
“Okay, I’ll go have a look,” I said after he turned back to his companions.
“Act natural, though,” Ishara said out of the side of her mouth. “Jake seems to be watching you like a hawk.”
As if he sensed we were talking about him, he stepped closer. “You girls having fun?”
“Ria was just telling me how beautiful your home is,” Ishara replied, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.
“Thank you, it’s been in the family for so long, I sometimes forget we own it.” He glanced around as if noticing the room for the first time. I called bullshit on his ownership.
“Do you mind if I steal Ria away for a bit?” Ishara grasped my arm lightly. “She’s famished and I believe there’s a yummy set up out by the pool.”
“Yes, by all means, but bring her back quickly. I have something precious, just for her.” Jake’s gracious smile was suddenly nauseating, and I couldn’t wait to get away from him.
“I will.” Ishara was already stepping away with me as she replied. Only when we were standing outside in front of the large buffet, did she roll her eyes. “Oh, my God, do you find that man creepy, or is it just me?”
“Right.” I placed a hand over my chest, allowing myself to breathe easily. “Honestly, I just want to get out of here.”
Ishara glanced around. “I’ll speak to Rex in a minute. Grab something to eat in case Jake is watching.”
Nodding, I turned to stare at the large food tables that were set up next to the pool as Ishara went back in. Any other time and I would’ve admired the beautiful ambiance with the burning lamps along the garden strip, the pool glistening with its underwater light that added to the décor and the backdrop of the stunning house. But all I could think of was the safety of my own home. I walked around the table and made a few mental selections. Admittedly, the spread was mouth-watering.
I’d just stuck a mini chocolate log into my mouth when I felt someone at my rear. Turning, my eyes rounded as I found myself gazing into the light brown eyes of Gabriel aka my Zayne. Only, this time he was much more gorgeous in an ash-colored lounge shirt, plaid black vest and matching black pants. Unlike the other men at the party, he filled out his formal attire with such class even his longish hair, tousled with a sleepy sexiness, added to the appeal. I’d just found the eye candy all the women were gushing at.
“That’s mine, isn’t it?” His deep voice sent a thrill of excitement racing through my body.
I frowned, not sure what he was referring to. Forgetting the chocolate log was still sticking out of my mouth, my eyes widened as he leaned down and bit off the protruding end, his lips grazing mine. Startled by the heat stirring down south, I stumbled backward. I wasn’t quick enough to regain my footing and teetered on the edge of the pool. Just as I felt myself falling, a strong hand circled my wrist but didn’t pull me up.
With his other hand in his pants pocket, his legs slightly spread to keep his balance, Zayne watched me through hooded eyes, a lazy smile painting his thick full lips as if holding me prisoner over the water amused him. It didn’t seem to bother him that other people were watching us.
Swallowing the remains of the log, I licked my lips and glared at him. “Pull me up.”
One dark brow lifted. “You’re not in a position to snap at me, baby girl.”
Again, with the baby girl?“What do you want?” I asked.
“That’s a loaded question.”
His soft chuckle was doing all sorts of bizarre things to my insides, to say nothing of his fingers wrapped around my wrist. Unlike Jake, his touch was warm, more like sizzling and despite my predicament, I couldn’t ignore the heat scorching its way up my arm or how my nipples were beginning to tighten.
“If I tell you what I want, would you give it to me?” he asked when I didn’t answer.
