Chapter 12
ASTRID
My entire body tingles with the memory of where his lips had grazed that night. I drop the basket on the table and lower my butt on one of the chairs. I can’t feel my legs anymore and I’m catching my breath with an unsteady rhythm.
Even is still talking, oblivious to the turmoil raging at the pit of my belly. My hands are visibly shaking. I can feel his eyes boring into me so I lower my gaze and pretend to be adjusting the tablecloth. Damn! I need to get out of here. Where’s Tristan? No, asking for his help is only going to encourage him.
om’s Sigure crosses the periphery of my vision. She’ll find me soon and I’ll be forced to play nice to a man I want to do nothing but wrap my legs
Jordan
He doesn’t look like a Jordan at all. A Zach, maybe? Fuck! I feel so heartsick and scared knowing he’s here. The same room with my parents. Best friends tend to tell each other everything. Will he tell my dad about some young woman he fucked in some house a week ago?
Seeing him again is a thousand times harder than I imagined our next meeting would be. I’ve always envisioned meeting him at the club again, and this time, we’d get to exchange our names, contact and I’d get a chance to invite him to my penthouse.
never for one second thought that the man my parents were so excited to see again was the same man I spent a night with a week ago.
God: What am I going to tell my mother? Dad will be livid. Tears burn at the back of my throat. I gulp, my grip on the linen fabric tightens.
Evelyn moves to the other side. She’s stopped talking now and focusing on positioning the name tags on the table. She twirls as the music changes to a more upbeat song. I watch her for a beat, wishing I could be that free – that excited. As I scour the room, my mind pictures the guests whispering when they find out that I had a one–night stand with my dad’s best friend. A man way older than I am.
Suddenly, my heart accelerates to a gallop. I close my eyes, waiting for the building to collapse and bury us all. I’m too afraid to look in his direction again. Too scared to see his eyes mirroring the emotions in mine.
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Dread. Regret. Anger. More regret. I feel sick and the tears are beginning to pool at the corners of my eyes. Gathering all my courage, I stand up and scan the large room for an exit door. The entrance is jam–packed. Going through it is going to alert those guards thereby leading me to my parents.
Luckily, I spot one door in a hidden corner. It’s small, barely visible, and just perfect for me to escape through. I don’t care where it leads to, I just want to be out of here. I’ve barely taken a step when a tall muscular figure,bump into me. With my mouth in my throat, I raise my gaze upwards. It’s him. Jordan. Evelyn says his name is Jordan.
Jordan Remington.
he’s as handsome as my tortured mind recalls and his cologne sinks right into my senses. Before I can muster the courage to say a word, he leans in and Kisses my cheeks.
“Hello, Astrid.” He says softly and allows his lips to linger for the briefest second. “It’s good to see you again.”
st?” growl, snatching my face from his embrace. “Why didn’t you tell me your name that night?”
“This is an unexpected pleasure. Don’t create a scene now. Everyone is staring.”
don’t care!” I let him hear the tightness in my yoice. “I should have listened to my instinct and not attended this damn party.”
“Dance with me. I don’t want to rouse your parents‘ suspicion.” He grabs my hands and places the right one on his shoulder. “You’re going to be the first woman I’ll dance with tonight, Astrid. Doesn’t that count for something?”
don’t want to dance with you.” I snap.
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Charter 12
Me chic Mes “1’m not asking you, sweetie. Now, dance.”
Mot to do is turn my back and walk away from him. Unwanted eyes will soon be on us if I don’t take his hands and allow him to lead me to the
that dance floor. Despite the rage I’m feeling towards him, a part of me can’t deny the fact that I want to do more than dance with him. I look
th into his eyes and sigh
nothing to say to you, Mr. Remington.”
hand around my waist. His grip tightens as I try to pull away. The muscle in the side of his jaw tightens as he takes the first step and twirls me
ves
actions to words, cherry.”
By hold myself from leaning a breath into him and wetting his lips with my tongue. Only the look in his eyes confirms that he’s just as scared as I am, newithstanding the show of bravado.
‘re not really surprised to see me. Did you know I’ll be here?”
For a beat, I’m too stunned to say a word or react. A tremor creeps down my spine. Did he know that I’m his best friend’s daughter? “So this isn’t a coincidence? That night–that night wasn’t a coincidence either.”
“Wipe that expression off your face. I had no idea you were Peter’s daughter until yesterday. I saw you at the parking lot and my driver told me you were Astrid Volkov. He lowers his head towards me. “You’re stiff. Relax. Please.”
et out a long breath and do as he says. “And yet, you showed up. Why?”
He twirls me at a leisurely pace, taking me through the third step as the music reverberates with an upbeat and lively track. When he speaks again, it’s a sensual growl.
“We need to talk.”
The music crashes and then stops. He sketches a bow and releases my hand. Everyone applauds. I had no idea we were being watched. I muster a smile at my parents who are grinning broadly as they stare at Jordan and I. mom steps forward and wraps her arms around me.
see you’ve met Jordan already. How are you, baby?”
Havor her with a hard smile. “I’m starving. When will dinner be served?”
Soon. The servers are setting up the table.” She shifts her focus to Jordan who is now in the company of a woman I’ve not met before. She has her hand on his arms and her chest is almost brushing his arms. Jealousy claws at my guts. I look away, stifling the rousing envy.
Jordan, if you’ll please join us. I’d like to formally introduce you to my daughter, Astrid.” She extends her hands towards him, “Astrid, meet Jordan, your father’s best friend.”
for the second time in the space of less than an hour, the dangerously handsome man leans in and kisses my cheeks. I expected the touch of his lip over
my skin to be brief, and light, but he sticks his tongue out and swipes it across it, lingering for a second. “I’ll find you after dinner and we’ll talk. Don’t
hide from me.”
sance to meet you, Astrid.” He says loudly then flashes my mom a charming grin. “You raised a true queen. I can’t wait to get to know her better.”
Mom, unsuspecting of the tension brewing between the older man and me, claps excitedly. “That’d be great. Astrid is a financial consultant. One of the
Jordan’s eyes spark with interest. “I look forward to talking shop with you, Astrid.”
that may be a bit much to expect. I’m here to have fun, not talk about work.”
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Chapter 12
A dozen emotions flitter across his chiseled face. “I’ll do the talking.”
I allow my lips to form a smile since Mom is shooting me a hard glare. At that instant, a bell rings, beckoning the guests to the table. Mom gets dragged away by someone, and then Jordan follows, his parting glance is on me until he’s out of sight. I blink and look away, willing my mind to stop seeing him even while he’s several feet away from me.
His allure has turned my brain to mush. I need to keep my head straight remind myself that whatever feeling I have for Jordan needs to be squashed, before things spiral out of control. The last thing I want to do is upset my parents.
