I’d take myself out tonight. Find my own fun.
Heading into my bedroom, I went immediately for my closet. As I examined potential outfits, I pulled out my phone, intending to text Lila and Audrey and Diane to see if they wanted to go out with me, blow off a little steam.
Then I remembered that they’d all but abandoned me when I’d been drugged and incapacitated, that they’d delighted in the possibility that I’d gone home from the club with a stranger and cheated on my husband. Were they really the kind of people I wanted to spend a Monday night out with? Were they really the kind of people I wanted to spend any time with?
I knew I was blowing things out of proportion in my current state, but at this point, the only person I felt I could really trust was Gavin. I knew that he’d be happy to meet me anytime and anywhere, and would keep an even better eye on me after what I’d been through at 312. What was it he’d said, just this afternoon? That he was there for me. That I’d always have somewhere safe to go with him. I felt better just thinking about his warm brown eyes.
With a decisive tug, I yanked a tight, blush pink dress off a hanger and threw it on the bed. It was a gorgeous Herve Leger bodycon bandage dress that had a sultry vintage lounge singer flair. It hit at the knee, but showed off lots of cleavage and cupped my every curve.
I had to lose my bra and panties and do a ridiculous wiggle-type dance just to get into it, but it was worth it. Tonight, I was going all out. I’d let down my hair, bust out the lipstick, and let myself have fun. There was no way I’d be able to walk into a club dressed like this and not have every eye turn toward me. I’d dance and flirt and forget all about Stefan.
And I’d definitely forget about the impact his sexy stare had had on me.
I brushed out my hair and gave it a shot of hairspray underneath to add volume, slipped on my stilettos, and gave my makeup a quick refresh. Then, standing in front of the closet mirror, I inspected my outfit one last time from head to toe. I wasn’t one to brag, but between the bombshell hair, the second skin of a dress, and my nude lip/smoky eye combo, I looked hot.
With the lack of panties and the length of the skirt, I’d be revealing far too much if I dared even bend over, but it didn’t matter. I had no plans to sit at all. I planned to spend the whole night on the dance floor, forgetting everything that had happened over the last few days. I’d lose myself in the crush of the crowd, in the pounding bass of music, in the adoring gaze of men who would clamor to buy me drinks. But this time, I’d stay sober. I’d stay in control.
I felt great. For the first time since Friday night, I felt like myself again. But better. Like a sexier, stronger version of myself.
I was ready to go out. Ready to have fun.
Grabbing my black Chanel bag and my phone, I headed out of my room, my thumb already scrolling for Gavin’s number. I’d show him that I was someone worth waiting for.
But as my heels click-clacked on the marble tile of the foyer, I heard footsteps behind me.
Spinning around, I found Stefan standing inches away. My heart leapt to my throat as I let out a soft gasp.
His voice low and dangerous, he said, “Where, exactly, do you think you’re going?”
Tori
Chapter 12
Stefan shoved me up against the wall, grabbing my wrist, and my purse hit the floor. With his other hand, he snatched my phone from my grip and tossed it on the entryway table beside him. He looked furious, the tension rolling off him, his green eyes flashing. I tried to pull away but he held fast, his gaze intense and hungry as it roamed my body.
“Let me go,” I said, my heart slamming in my chest.
“I asked you where the hell you think you’re going, dressed like that,” he repeated, tugging my wrist for emphasis.
Goosebumps broke out all along my skin. It had been so long since he had touched me, since I had felt his skin against mine. Despite the underlying threat in his words, I wanted to melt into his touch. Dozens of warring emotions filled me.
“None of your business,” I shot back.
I had to get away. I wasn’t sure I could trust myself around him, not when he was looking at me like that, like he wanted to eat me, not when I couldn’t deny that I wanted him just as bad. I needed to get out of the condo. I needed space. I needed to escape.
But he held on to me, his grip nearly bruising the soft skin of my forearm. I should have hated it, but I didn’t. In fact, the tension that had built up between us throughout dinner threatened to overflow. To overpower me. I couldn’t let that happen.
“Let go,” I ordered, more firmly this time.
He didn’t. My protest died on my lips as he advanced on me, moving closer.
“I’ll let you go as soon as you tell me where it is you’re running off to,” he said, his voice hard. “Because you’re sure as hell not going to a study group in that dress.”
It was pure torture, being this close to Stefan. Having his hands on me.
“I’m going out,” I told him, sounding more sure of myself than I actually felt. “Didn’t you just tell me that I should give myself a night off?”
“A night off from studying,” he said, his voice hard. “Not a night on the town.”
