Though I am so different from that girl back then.
Killian’s eyes are on me, burning like a caress I can never escape from somewhere out of sight. He’s brought a small army with him tonight, and they’ve done an excellent job of blending in, aside from Archer. Killian has actually respected my request to let me have fun with my friends. It surprises me, but he’s been a little softer since he poured his heart out.
The thought of that makes the drowning guilt in my gut swell hotly with the tequila, and I come to a stop, panting desperately and squinting through the bodies around me. My heart beats off rhythm, confused by the bass surging through the floor, and dizziness sweeps past me for a brief second. Kimmy and Sadie are oblivious, grinding against me as the music swells, the lights rise, and the sea of people around us bounce.
Then I catch a glimpse of deep, crimson hair, and my heart lurches.
Blair?What the hell is she doing here?!
“Cara!” Kimmy bounces to a stop in front of me, her eyes wide and her skin glittering. “What’s wrong?”
“I—,” I stammer, glancing past her to see the world part before me. Blair is making her way through the crowd towards Killian, who I glimpse a moment later. He looks deep in conversation with Niccolo, his head of security. “I just need to get another drink!” I call to Kimmy as I slip away from her. She yells something enthusiastically, but I don’t hear it. I can only see Blair sashaying her way towards Killian like a shark honing in on the prey.
The protective urge that swells in my chest feels like the most natural thing in the world, and I stumble through the crowd to follow her. Of course, people part effortlessly for her while I shove my way through. She does everything fuckingflawlessly.
I make it through the crowd and stop near the booth. They’re lingering on the other side. The music starts to die, and snippets of their conversation rise above the swell.
“Blair? What the fuck do you want?” says Killian, and my heart flutters at how disinterested he sounds.
“It’s been a little while, Killian. I’d have thought your anger would have mellowed out by now,” she replies. I curl my lip in disgust.
Mellowed out,who does she think she is?
“Go away, Blair,” Killian replies boredly.
“After everything you’ve done, you could at least talk to me,” she demands, “we have things to talk about.”
“After everythingI’vedone?” Killian snaps sharply and turns to face her, grasping her arm so tightly I hear her gasp, and she wobbles on her stilettos. A bubble of discomfort rises in my gut but not at Killian, no, at Blair.
How dare she come here when we’re having fun? How dare she taunt him for a rise like that?
I stumble my way over to them, loudly clearing my throat and drawing their attention as I smooth my dress down and stalk up to Killian. He releases Blair in an instant, and her expression sours. Without hesitation, I slide up to Killian and wrap an arm around his waist. He looks a little rattled, but it’s okay. I’m here now.
“Hey,” I smile, forcing a smile brighter than the discomfort swirling inside. Discomfort at Blair’s presence fades the moment Killian’s arm settles over my shoulders, and he murmurs his greeting.
“How cute,” Blair purses her lips and runs her eyes over the two of us before shefinallygets the hint. “It was lovely to see you, Killian.”
“No, it really wasn’t,” Killian replies dryly. Blair fades into the background. I’m not even sure when she leaves because Killian’s other hand cups the side of my neck. His thumb traces over my cheek, tilting my head up to look him in the eyes. Hesmilesand he looks almost relieved. Any jealousy I felt towards Blair fades as he leans down and presses a deep, full kiss on my mouth. I forget everything at that moment.
Blair doesn’t matter. She’s in the past. All of it is in the past.
This? Killian and a club full of bodyguards?
I can accept this as my future.
And yet, as Killian breaks the kiss and murmurs a compliment in my ear, I catch sight of Blair as she waves her way out of sight. She keeps coming back, and something about that leaves an unsettling clench in my gut.
16
KILLIAN
I can’t remember the last time I feltthisgood without the aid of alcohol. There’s a lightness in my heart that I haven’t felt in ages and a soft, fulfilled tiredness that lingers in my mind. The kind that made it hard to leave Cara this morning and join Dante on a trip to see why Callahan has requested a meeting. Niccolo drives, accompanied by Tony, as Dante and I recline in the back of the car. I know this meeting isimportant,but as I settle back into the plush leather, I can’t get Cara out of my mind.
Cara had been the perfect distraction when we got home last night after seeing Blair at the club. She's like a cockroach, never getting the hint and always popping up when she’s least wanted.
My lips twitch and I flex my fingers against my thigh as the memory of Cara spread out on the bed fills my mind. She had beenverydrunk last night, but after her show of possessiveness, I hadn’t been able to resist eating her out until she nearly ripped the sheets in her throes of pleasure.
I lick my lower lip. If I close my eyes, I can almost still taste her.