I nod, trying not to read too much into his words. I hate how sweet he's been acting. It just makes me want all the things I'll never have.
I climb in his Range Rover instead of one of the cars, and he joins me quickly, taking the driver's seat.
We sit in a comfortable silence for most of the trip. Every once and a while, I catch Kade's eyes on me. It almost makes me want to wear a dress like this daily.
When we pull up to the iron gate that stands at least ten feet tall, my mouth tries to fall open. With barely a glance at the attendant in the big brick box, the gates start opening for Kade.
The cobblestone driveway leads to a gallant house that stretches out like a mansion. Every intricate detail makes me wonder if Cinderella just threw up in my life. There's no way I'm actually here.
Kade pulls up beside a massive fountain, and a valet rushes over to open his door, while another opens mine. It's the first time in my life a door has been opened for me by a valet.
"Have a good evening, Mr. Colton," one of them says to Kade.
He nods and then comes to offer me his arm as we reach the wide steps that lead to the ungodly home.
"This... yeah... I wasn't expecting..."
I give up. My brain and mouth aren't doing too well together right now.
Kade chuckles as he guides me through the door being opened by a butler-type man. Amazing. I'm officially wowed.
The inside is even more glorious than the outside. The chandelier dangles low from the high ceiling. It's a piece of artwork more than it is a light. Golden lighting decorates the home, making it all the more elegant.
Two staircases start on either side of the foyer and lead up in opposite directions. It looks like a palace and I'm on the arm of the prince.
"You lived here?" I whisper, worried my voice might shatter the illusion if I speak too loudly.
"Yes," he whispers back, mocking me a little with his teasing snicker.
I roll my eyes while holding onto his arm a little tighter. I thought Kade's house was big, but this house... this is a dream.
I scan the scene, and a familiar smile catches my attention the moment we walk into a glamorous room made to be danced in. Mr. Colton excuses himself from the group of refined businessmen he's surrounded by, and he heads toward us, beaming.
"Raya, I'm so glad Kade convinced you to come. And you look ravishing," he mutters softly, drawing my hand in his to kiss the back of it.
"Thank you for inviting me."
"Of course. I assume the two of you have been getting along a little better?" he asks, seeming to carry a bit of mischief in his eyes as he directs his attention toward Kade.
Kade fights hard not to grin, though I'm not sure why. We really haven't fought since the day he threw me in the pool.
"We're getting along," Kade murmurs, offering a shrug instead of
the restrained grin.
Paul smiles a little longer at his son, but Kade seems to be ignoring him as another guy joins us. I almost swallow my tongue when I see it's Tagland Masters - A.K.A. Tag. The multi-millionaire playboy. Kade knows him? How?
"It's about time you showed up, and thank God you brought something worth looking at," Tag says, smiling at me with a Cheshire cat grin.
Paul laughs while slapping Tag on the back, and then he nods to me. "I need to make my rounds. Have a good time, Raya. Make sure Kade doesn't leave you next to the wolves without him."
He looks pointedly at Tag who feigns offense. Then Paul heads into the crowd to go play the good host. I chuckle lightly until Kade's arm slides around my waist. Then I feel my face flood with heat as everything on me tingles.
"Where's Star?" Kade asks, making Tag grin for some reason, as if they're sharing a silent conversation.
"I decided not to bring her. Wren's fiancée doesn't get along with her too well. Besides, I don't really do the dating bit. Too much drama."
The brief spurt of interest Tag showed me has vanished, as if I'm suddenly invisible. I glance in the long wall of mirrors, wondering if there's something on my face.