We arrive separately, King driving himself while Micha takes me.
It’s already started however guests are still arriving, and we filter into the traffic. When Micha pulls up to the steps I steel my spine, say goodbye and get out, adjusting the skirts of my dress to cover the skin on show. The dress was beautiful, I hadn’t realized the splits were there until I put it on and while they left me feeling a tad vulnerable, the dress made me feel sexy too.
I weave into the crowd walking through the large doors and sweep into the foyer. Servers walk with trays of food and drink, offering them to the guests mingling in the foyer, and more drift through to the ballroom where music plays softly allowing conversation to thrive. There are several tables set up around the room, and I was thankful that there would be no three course sit down meal but rather a buffet style set up for later, and constant food being offered by the servers.
My palms sweat as I walk the crowd, smiling and greeting those who notice me. I pluck up a flute of champagne from one of the trays and take a grateful sip, the cold bubbles cooling some of the heat.
My eyes run through the crowds. I didn’t know if King was here yet, and we couldn’t spend too much time together but having him here, close, it was good enough.
I see Tobias and his son, Garrett at the bar, and then next to them is Derek and Clayton but there is no sign of the man I now know to be Hunter.
I continue through the crowd, heading towards one of the tables in the corner to take a seat. I’m almost there when Tobias catches me.
“Eleanor,” he greets, but the usual warmth isn’t in his face, “You made it.”
I fake a smile, “I told you I would.”
I stifle the images that try to cripple me, I couldn’t let them affect me now, not here with him.
“Hmm,” he muses, sipping his whiskey, “Well enjoy.”
“Thank you,” I swallow, sipping my champagne to help with the lump in my throat. He checks me over, eyes following the curves the dress clearly show and then turns back to his son. I watch him go, tension loosening with each step he takes away from me, and then I spot Kingston. He owns the room as he walks in, his tux tailored to fit his body perfectly, his black hair swept back and those tattoos seeming to pop from his skin. His blue eyes land on mine in an instant and then move on.
Just a few hours, that’s all this was. A few hours and then the promise of Kingston for the rest of the night.
I pluck another champagne from a tray and lean back in my chair watching as the crowd relaxes further with each hour that passes and more alcohol is consumed. The volume of the music increases the later it gets, and people begin to dance, mainly couples and I just watch. Kingston is at the bar talking with some men I haven’t seen before, and Tobias is still at the bar.
I check the time, not long now.
It was a shame that the dress was being wasted here when no one can really see it, but I didn’t dare get up or move around. If Tate were here, she would have been working the room and I would be with her, her slowly bringing me out of my shell, her infectious laughter easing the tension.
But she wasn’t here, and King had to pretend we were nothing and so I sit here alone.
The thought of another champagne made my stomach churn and I eye the bar, the distance and likelihood of having to speak with someone.
Was gin worth it?
I eye the bubbles popping in the glass in my hand.
Yes. Yes, it was.
I get up, leaving my safe little bubble to head to a part of the bar the furthest away from Tobias. I order my gin, thankful when the barman fetches it quickly and slides it towards me. I spin back to my table, ready to flee back to that little haven I’d created when my wrist is caught.
It wasn’t King.
“Dance with me,” Tobias says, it’s neither command nor request, but it wasn’t something I could refuse, not when his fingers grip me so tightly, the skin indenting where he holds, and his eyes capturing mine in a deadly snare.
“I don’t dance,” I try.
“Dance with me,” he says again, tugging me towards where others swirl in circles.
He tugs me to the middle of the dance floor and holds me close, one hand at the base of my spine, the other holding my hand, and begins to move us to the music.
“That’s a beautiful dress,” he comments suspiciously. My whole body is stiff, hand clammy in his. Sickness rolls through my stomach, making me really regret the champagne.
“Thank you,” I force myself to say.
“Quite expensive, where did you get it?”
My brows tug down, “Excuse me?”
He cocks his head as he continues to move us to the music, “Forgive me.”
“It was a gift,” I tell him, feeling like I need to cover my tracks.
“Generous gift,” he replies.
I nod my agreement and try to pull away at the end of the song, but he holds me fast and moves us into the next song. I swallow hard.
“I really was fond of you, Eleanor.” He says it so quietly, I wonder if he meant for me to hear it, though I don’t get a chance to question it when a body steps close to us, forcing us to stop.
“I couldn’t resist,” King says cockily, “A dress like that calls to me, may I cut in?”
To anyone else it’s polite, but to me I hear the undercurrent of violence that turns the edges of his voice to a husky rasp.
Something settles in Tobias’ face, “Be my guest.” He lets go abruptly, harsh enough that I stumble in the heels I’m wearing, but Kingston steadies me quickly, watching as Tobias disappears and then King takes control, pulling me in far too close to be professional even if we were away from the office. His hands on me are possessive, his face close to mine as he sweeps me around to the music.
His presence brushes away the tension left there by Tobias.
His fingers dig into my waist, his other hand clutching my hand tightly as his breath brushes the shell of my ear.
“Seeing him touching you made me want to rip this entire room apart,” he whispers into my ear, “it was either take over and have you myself or start ripping off heads, I thought this would be what you’d prefer.”
Despite it all, I laugh, “how magnanimous of you.”
He chuckles, “That’s me, love.”
I roll my eyes though he doesn’t see it, “When can we leave?”
“So eager, are we?” He whispers.
I squirm against him.
He laughs again, “Find Micha, I’ll join in five minutes.”
I nod, but he doesn’t immediately let go, instead he sweeps me into an elaborate spin and then bows dramatically, kissing my knuckles before letting me go.
I stand for a second, dumbfounded, I feel eyes on me, and a blush heats my face.
Finding Micha was easy, and the cold air of the evening was refreshing on my overheated skin. He opens the backdoor for me, and I climb in, letting out a sigh of relief.
I’d shown my face, I’d pretended everything was normal. It had to be enough. I settle against the backseat, pressing a hand to my chest and feeling my rapid heartbeat pump against my palm.
Turning my head, I stare out the back window, watching the party, watching the doors, waiting for him.
Waiting for Kingston.