He nods, his eyes intense.
“Because you’re an amazing person who just can’t see his worth,” I whisper. “But I can see it, and that’s why I wouldn’t hesitate.”
Then I step out the door and leave him there.
I don’t know if it was the right thing to say, but it was the truth.
Sometimes that’s all that’s needed.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Shoes shoes shoes.
I’m not a fan—okay, that’s a damned lie. I am a fan, and when Reign is taking me to a charity function and gives me money for new shoes, who am I to say no?
“These ones are hot?” Autumn says, holding up a pair of strappy red pumps.
“I’m kind of done with red, but they are hot. Maybe they have another color?”
She flips them over and gasps. “They’re like, five hundred dollars.”
I frown and take them from her hands. “I don’t think I can possibly grasp spending that much on shoes. Maybe if it was my own money . . .”
My phone beeps in my purse, and I quickly pull it out while still mulling over the shoes.
R: Just buy them.
Okay that’s freaky. I lift my head a look around.
T – I didn’t sign up for a stalker.
R: You’ve been gone three hours, and I’ve not had one picture of shoes. You ALWAYS send me pictures of your shoes. Which means you’re standing there, staring at a pair you really want, but the price freaks you out. Get them.
T: I’m going to admit it. This little mental connection of ours freaks me out.
R: Just get them, babe.
T: Fine, you twisted my arm.
R: Then come and get ready with me.
Lusty sigh.
T: Okay. Laters.
I pick up the shoes and turn to Autumn. “Looks like it’s my lucky day!”
Autumn smiles. “He said you could have them?”
I grin and nod.
We finish shopping and then find a café close by for lunch.
“I’m starving,” Autumn grumbles, staring down at the menu. “What are you thinking?”
“I’m just going for the fried chicken. It’s amazing here.”
She groans with delight. “Oh my God, yes.”
“Are you pregnant or something?” I laugh at her.
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t think so. I haven’t had enough sex to get knocked up.”
“So, are you going to tell me who you got lucky with the other night?”
Her cheeks flush. “It’s . . .”
“Autumn,” I plead. “We’re best friends. We should be able to tell each other things.”
“The thing is . . . he’s not my usual type.”
I wave my hands. “Do explain.”
She hesitates, as if searching for the right words. “He . . . ah . . . is a biker.”
My eyes widen. “You fucked a biker?”
“Yes,” she says, dropping her head into her hands. “In my defense, I was drunk.”
“Was he at least a hot biker?”
She looks up, nodding with wide eyes.
“Did he hurt you?”
She groans. “Tia, not again. I told you, no one hurt me.”
I frown, but sigh. “Fine. So tell me how sex with an amazing biker is?”
She flushes. “It’s . . . ah-mazing, Tia. I can’t explain how good it was. He was wild, and so . . . big.”
“You mean his cock?” I gasp, leaning in closer.
“Not just his cock.” She giggles. “It was all of him. He has these massive tattoo-covered muscles and these abs . . .”
I sigh. “Oh, you’re such a devil. Are you going to see him again?”
She shakes her head. “No. I don’t even know his name.”
“Oh? Maybe Cade or Spike know him.”
“No,” she says quickly. “I’m not asking. It was too good to be true. Besides, I’m not sure I’m cut out to be an old lady.”
I laugh. “You never know until you go.”
She rolls her eyes. “Such an optimist.”
We both laugh as the waiter places our meals down.
So, Autumn and a biker?
Interesting.
~*~*~*~
I head over to Reign’s house after lunch to get ready with him. I find him in his bathroom, shaving. Damn. I like the two-day growth he usually walks around in.
He’s got a black, ultra-soft looking towel wrapped around his hips. His back, oh my . . . hard, defined muscles that move as he glides the razor over his jaw. He meets my eyes in the mirror and gives me one of his rare, glorious half-smiles.
“Get your shoes?” he asks, rinsing the razor before pressing it to his jaw again.
“Yeah,” I say. Oh God, was my voice just . . . breathy?
He leans down, dropping the razor and cupping his hands to fill them with water, and then he splashes his face. He turns to me and I see a tiny patch of hair he’s missed. Without thinking, I walk over, take the razor and go up on my tiptoes in front of him. “You missed a bit,” I say, running the razor gently over his cheek.
It’s only when I stop I realize the look he’s giving me.
He’s never given me a look like that before. It’s so warm and . . . almost . . . I mean, if I wasn’t sure that he cared too much for Slutena, I’d say it was a caring look. Like an I like you a lot look.
No, not Reign Braxton.
I quickly step back. “Ah, I’m just going to get dressed and then we’ll go.”
I rush out before he has the chance to say another word.
I go into the spare room, stripping quickly and pulling my short but elegant black dress over my head. It’s a strapless number, with a crisscross back and a hemline that sits just above my knees. It hugs all the right places, but isn’t skintight. With my new red pumps, and my blond hair down, I will admit I don’t look half bad. Running a straightener through my locks is enough to give me the hairstyle I want—a few pins later and I’m done.
Reign comes in, doing up a tie, and he stops dead when he sees me. His eyes slowly slide down my body, stopping at my shoes. They earn me a small grin before his gaze travels up again. “You look gorgeous, Tia.”
Gorgeous?
He’s called me sexy, pretty, even attractive before, but never gorgeous.
“Thanks. Do you need me to do your tie?” I ask, nodding at the tie he’s fiddling with.
“Yeah, thanks.”
I walk over, taking it into my hands. I begin doing it up.
“Are you looking forward to tonight?” I ask him, looping the soft satin.
“Charity functions are always a good way to give back to the community.”
“Be careful, Reign Braxton,” I joke. “I might actually think you’re a nice guy.” I finish up the tie and pat it down. “There.”
He leans forward, pressing his lips to my head. He holds them there for a long, agonizing moment before pulling back. “I am a nice guy.”
I smile when he takes my hand and we leave the room.
He’s probably right.
CHAPTER TWELVE
“You look lovely tonight, Tiani,” Harry, Reign’s second-in-charge, smiles as we walk through the entrance into the large, grand ballroom.
“Thank you, Harry.” I beam.
Reign keeps his arm hooked through mine as we step into the large space. There are tables circling a huge dance floor. Up the front of the room is a stage, all ready to go. There are prizes to the left, ranging from televisions to small gift baskets. To the right, a massive buffet is being prepared.
“This is nice,” I say to Reign as he leads me towards the hundred or so people currently mingling on the dance floor.
“They raise a great deal of money most years.”
We reach a group of people and I see Slutena. It’s hard to miss her. She looks like heaven in a dress. I suddenly feel small and insignificant as she rakes her gaze over Reign, a small smile on her perfect red lips. Her dress is to die for; long, red, and hugging her
body in a way that makes the men near her drool. I can tell by the way it dips at the front that it also does the same at the back. Her hair is down, and loose curls fall around her too perfect face.
“Reign,” a man says, catching our attention.
I look up to see Reign watching Slutena, but he turns his gaze to the man speaking to him.
“Timothy,” he greets the tall, blond man. “It’s nice to see you here.”
“And you, Reign. Who is this lovely young lady?”
Reign looks down at me, and I see a certain fondness in his eyes. “This is Tiani.”
“How lovely to meet you,” Timothy says, offering his hand.
“You too.” I smile, shaking it gently.
“Please excuse me, Timothy,” Reign murmurs. “But I’m going to get a dance in with my girl before dinner.”
My girl.
Is he talking about me . . . or Slutena?
When he takes my hand and pulls me into the empty spot on the dance floor, I know he’s talking about me, and my heart aches. His girl. I’ve never been his girl. Just his employee.
“No one else is dancing,” I say when he puts his hands on my hips and pulls me closer.
“You’ve never cared about what everyone else is doing,” he says, sliding his hand up my arm until our hands connect.
Then we’re dancing.
“I thought Selena would have gotten the first dance.”
He shrugs. “Aren’t I allowed to enjoy you sometimes?”
“If it makes you happy,” I whisper, getting lost in those golden depths.
We dance close for a long time. My face is so close to his hard chest that I can smell him, and it takes everything inside of me not to close my eyes and breathe in his strong, masculine scent. Finally, as if hearing my inner pleas, a faster, more entertaining song comes on. It’s not that I don’t want to dance this close to Reign; it’s that dancing this close has my heart forgetting itself and my mind chasing it in circles, trying to snap it back to reality.
I go to pull away from Reign only to be stuck on the spot when he smiles down at me. “Oh, no you don’t.”
He spins me in a circle, and I can’t help but laugh. Then we’re dancing again, only this time we’re both laughing as he spins me and right at the end, dips me. I’ve not had so much fun with Reign, and more, Slutena is here, yet he’s only seeing me. At the end of the song, he leans down and grazes a light kiss across my lips.
I lose my breath.
“Reign.”
No, no, no.
Slutena.
Reign stares at me a moment, before turning his eyes towards her. “Selena,” he murmurs.
“I was wondering if I could have the next dance?”
Say no. Please, Reign.
“That’s up to Tiani.”
No! That’s worse. He should have said yes. Now I’m the monster if I say no. I mean honestly, would he actually not do it if I told him I didn’t want him to? Besides, I couldn’t do that to him, and he damned well knows it. So, with a fake smile, I step back and wave at him. “He’s all yours.”
Then I slink to my table and watch them dance, so perfect for each other.
And damn, if it doesn’t hurt.
~*~*~*~
I giggle as Reign tickles my thigh under the table.
It’s a rare sound for me, I know. I’m sure he knows it too, because he keeps on doing it. We’ve been joking and laughing together all through dinner, and it surprises me. I figured tonight would be all about me looking pretty and making Slutena jealous. Instead, he’s focused on me and me alone.
I’m not going to complain.
“Check out the fish-eye staring at you,” I murmur, pointing to the fish in the middle of the table on a platter surrounded by lemons.
“Don’t turn me off my food.” He frowns. “Sick.”
I lean over and poke it with my fork, which has him skidding back in his chair. “Shit, Tiani.” He laughs. “That’s wrong.”
“Reign,” Slutena says, causing us both to turn and stare at her.
Talk about a sourpuss. Her lips are in an angry pout. What, bitch? Can’t stand him having fun?
“Yes?” Reign says.
“I was wondering if I could have a word before the auctions start? Outside?”
Reign glances at me, then back to her. “Sure.”
She’s going in for the kill; I can feel it with everything I am.
I watch as he leaves the room with her, and suddenly I’m uncomfortable. Everyone around me seems to be talking too loud, their voices only causing my thoughts to spin harder and faster. Needing fresh air, I excuse myself from the table and rush out the back entrance. As soon as I get outside, I lean against the brick wall and just take a minute to breathe.
It’s fine, you’re doing great.
They’re only talking.
Shit, what does it matter? All these ridiculous feelings that seem to be building for Reign are just that: ridiculous. There is no prize for second best, and that’s all I am. He’s not interested in me, and even if he was, there is no competition. While Slutena wants him, Slutena will get him.
I take another shaky breath and head back in to join the party.
I have a feeling it will be a long night.
~*~*~*~
I’m not wrong.
By the time the auctions are done, I’m ready to go home and get these damned shoes off my feet. They’re sexy and all, but shit, new shoes hurt.
Reign disappeared outside again with Slutena about half an hour ago, and he hasn’t come back. My guess is they’ve finally decided to start talking about what happened, and that conversation has become intense.
When an hour passes, I start wondering if he’s actually still here. I shove out of my chair and walk outside. No Reign. I search the back area, and even near the toilets. He’s not here. My heart aches as I realize he’s left me alone again. Jesus, letting me know wouldn’t be so hard. My chest seizes when I think of how much fun we had tonight.
That’ll teach me for believing I meant anything.
I’m just a toy in his game.
I don’t bother turning to go back to the function; instead, I walk off down the street. Alcohol, Autumn, and possibly a sexy man is all I need. Fuck Reign. Fuck him and the big, ugly horse he rode in on.
I round a corner, stepping into a side alley, when I notice a group of men standing at the other end. An eerie feeling washes over me, and instinct tells me to turn around.
I do.
“Hey,” one of them says. “Wait up.”
Keep walking. Head down. Don’t speak.
“I just want a lighter.”
Fuck your lighter.
I get just around the corner when his hand comes out and curls around mine. I shiver and my stomach lurches. I face him and see he’s a younger man, but his skin is pale and his eyes a sunken. A junkie.
“I don’t have a lighter,” I snap, tugging my arm from his.
“No need to get pissy,” he says, staring down at my short dress. “Just askin’.”
“Well, don’t. Excuse me.”
He takes my arm again. “Just a second, sweetie. I think we might have something that could help loosen you up.”
My heart pounds fast as his friends near. There are five of them that I can count. The words gang and rape play over and over in my head as I try to tug my arm from the young man’s.
“Let me go. My boyfriend is looking for me.”
One of them snorts.
“Good try, love.” He chuckles. “That line doesn’t work. If your boyfriend was looking for you, you wouldn’t be out here, alone, in the dark.”
Dammit. He’s right.
“Please,” I beg. “Just let me go.”
“We won’t hurt you,” the biggest one says, stepping closer and forcing me to back up against the wall. “Just a little taste.”
No.
I frantically look around, desperately looking for a way out. Even if I kick one in the balls, the oth
ers will take me down. I’ve no chance against this many men. The bigger man puts his hand on my hip and I squirm, attempting to kick out. His hand clasps over my mouth as he slams me harder against the wall, his other hand sliding up underneath my dress.
“She’s got a mighty fine body.” He laughs to his friends. “Have a feel.”
I open my mouth to scream, but the only sound that leaves my throat is a muffled cry. Tears cascade down my cheeks as his hand slides over my ass, cupping it roughly. There’s another hand on my breast, and another lowering my dress.
I kick my heel out, hitting the main man in the shin. He roars and stumbles backwards, releasing my mouth. I scream. I give it everything I can, screaming so loudly one of them actually presses his hands over his ears. A resounding slap causes my head to jerk sideways, and then I hear someone say, “Fuck.”
I turn myself back towards them, ready to run, when the young man literally soars past my head. He lands with a crack on the ground, blood pouring from his mouth as he rolls to his side, groaning in pain. Then I hear the thumping sounds of a fist connecting with bone, and I turn to see . . . Reign?
He’s got the oldest of the group by his neck, squeezing until the man squirms in his grips. Then he lifts his other hand and hits him so hard the man goes limp and drops to the ground. The others turn and run, hard and fast, disappearing into the darkness. Reign charges forward, lifting the groaning young man off the floor. With a final punch to his face, the young man slumps to the floor.
I’m staring, wide-eyed, when Reign turns back to me. He charges over, his hands instantly going to my body, sliding over my skin, as if checking to see if I’m okay. My fear is replaced with rage, unadulterated rage. He left me. He left me with no way home, and I went walking and nearly got raped.
I raise my hand before I can think and I slap him so hard my hand burns.
“What the fuck?” he bellows, clutching his cheek.
“You left me,” I say, my voice coming out low and shaky. “I was alone. I couldn’t find you; I waited and waited. You left me again, for her, and I walked.”
His eyes flash. “I didn’t leave, Tiani.”