I almost scream in frustration.
“Uh…yeah.” I give my head a gentle shake and chuckle. “I think I had one too many drinks.”
Maybe three or four too many. Because, for a moment, I thought Adriano Ruffo was occupying that barstool. I snort. Right. As if he’d ever come to a place like this. Besides, the guy I saw wasn’t wearing glasses.
“I’d better call it a night.” I feel my adrenaline crashing. Words are somehow harder to form. “It was nice meeting you.” Rina’s nowhere to be seen, and Evelyn is too busy groping herboyfriend’s chest under his shirt. “Can you tell my friends I’ve taken off?”
“Sure, but…would you like me to take you home?”
“No, thanks. I’ll grab a cab.”
Before he has a chance to change my mind, I slip my purse across my body and head toward the restrooms. I need to splash some cold water on my face to hopefully clear, at least a little bit, this darn haze I’m feeling.
Walking has become a more difficult skill since I arrived at the club earlier, so before I reach my destination, I need to stop. I’ve made it to the hallway leading to the bathroom at the end. The music here is still too loud, and the beat is pulsing into me through the floor. I figure taking a bit of a rest stop will help. I’ll just stay here for a minute. Close my eyes and lean my head and shoulder against the wall.
“Great,” I grumble, pushing my way through the throng of bodies. “Fucking great.”
What an utterly reckless woman!
I’ll blame her dumb decisions on alcohol, but what the fuck possessed my ass to come here tonight? As soon as Brahms called to report that one of his men followed Iris to the nightclub, I jumped in my car and sped here. The faces of my gate security guys said it all. I’ve gone completely mental. Up until a few months ago, they never saw me drive. The Adriano Ruffo they know never does such a thing. To them,to all, I’m aprivileged billionaire, accustomed to being chauffeured. Waited on. I am not a man compelled to chase women around the city. Not debutants. Not spoiled heiresses. And not kitchen girls.
I also forgot my fucking glasses.
Shoving aside the last idiot barring my way, I come right up to Iris. She’s still leaning on the wall, eyes closed, head gently rolling to the music.
Terrific.
Not only is she wasted, but she’s practically passing out.
“Iris,” I growl.
No reaction.
I grind my teeth.
What do I do now?
Jesus, I can’t leave her like this. It’s not safe, and she’s likely going to get sick soon. Should I take her to the bathroom? I’ve never been drunk in my life; I’m not entirely certain what might happen.
“Iris,” I try again, just as some son of a bitch bumps into me.
Instinctively, I cage her in my arms, bracing my palms against the wall. Shielding her. From this and any other asshole.
She picks this exact moment to open her eyes. Amber pools peer up at me. A small, playful smile breaks across her lips.
“You really do look like him,” she drawls, her eyes sparkling as if tiny stars ignite inside them.
“Who?” I ask, lost in her warm depths.
That smile widens.
She reaches out with her finger, dragging the tip from my temple down my cheek. Scorching my skin with her touch. Setting my blood on fire.
“The Big Bad Wolf. Only, you’re missing the glasses.” Her palm rests on my face, tenderly cupping my jaw. Those eyes of hers narrow to little slits as she tilts closer. “He is a very bad man. Very bad.”
“Oh, yeah?” I lower my head, my eyes fixed on her lips.
“Mm-hmm. I’m glad you’re not him.”
