Beauty from Pain (Beauty, #1)(5)

“It can’t be too formal if it’s hosted by a university, so I think a sundress should be fine. What about that black strapless with the wide white band around the waist? It’s a chameleon and will fit in if this shindig is on the dressier side. Didn’t you bring it?”

I remember hanging it in the closet when we unpacked. “I did.”

“Ben says the event begins outdoors with hors d’oeuvres where we’ll try the first round of new vintages. When we finish that, we’ll go inside for dinner and have more wine. There’ll probably be a band, so expect some dancing.”

Eating, drinking, and dancing. Slow dancing. It sounds fun and innocent enough, except I suspect Ben considers me more than a simple guest.

After I finish my hair and makeup, I slip into the black strapless. When Addison comes into our bedroom, she has me make a complete spin and gives me a whistle. “Looking good in the neighborhood.”

“Thanks.”

She’s wearing an ivory halter dress I don’t recognize. The ivory against her blond hair and olive skin is gorgeous. “I don’t think I’ve seen this before.”

“It’s new. I bought it before we left. Think Zac will like it?”

“I think Zac would like you in anything. Or nothing at all.”

She laughs but knows it’s true. He wants her bad. “I think he likes me.”

“Being reserved doesn’t suit you, Addie. Of course he likes you. I don’t know how you could question it. He’s been here constantly since we arrived.”

“I know, but he hasn’t said anything or made a move.”

“It’s only been three days. Not every guy tries to get you in the sack thirty seconds after you meet.”

“I know. I guess I’m second-guessing myself because he hasn’t tried.”

“Watch his reaction when we walk out. You’ll know where his head’s at.”

The eyes tell it all when Zac sees Addison. He is hot for her. Unfortunately, Ben’s reaction to me is very similar. What the hell am I thinking? It’s a huge mistake for me to attend this event as Ben’s guest wearing this dress, but it’s too late now.

Luck is with me the first half of the night as I’m able to avoid Ben. He’s busy presenting his vintages, but like always, my luck runs out. We finish dinner and he takes my hand to pull me from my chair. “Come dance with me.”

I smile and follow him onto the dance floor, mostly because I don’t have a reasonable excuse not to. One dance. I can do that.

I glance over at Addison dancing with Zac. She’s giddier than a pig in shit and I’m happy for her. Her relationship luck hasn’t been much better than mine. “She seems to be having a good time.”

“Zac doesn’t appear too unhappy, either. If I had to guess, I’d bet you and I have officially been dropped for the rest of the night.”

Shit! That means we’ll be alone when we get back to the apartment. “It’s all right. I still have jet lag. I’ll probably go straight to bed anyway.”

A young man walks up beside us. “Mr. Donavon, I’m sorry to disturb you, but we’re having trouble finding your merlot.”

Ben stops swaying, but doesn’t release me from his embrace. “I’m sorry. Who are you?”

“I’m Greg, one of the servers for tonight’s event.”

Ben looks puzzled. “All of my vintages were stored together.”

Greg appears apologetic as he shrugs. “We’ve searched everywhere and can’t find it with the others.”

He releases me. “I’m sure it’s been shuffled around in all the chaos. Will you excuse me for a moment?”

“It’s fine. This is your special night. You need to do whatever it takes to make this successful.”

He strokes his hand down my arm. “I won’t be gone long.”

“It’s okay. No hurry.” Really. Don’t hurry.

I walk to the dinner table feeling a little guilty that I’m relieved by the interruption. I eye Addison and Zac on the dance floor and recognize her signature moves. When they circle around and his back is turned to me, she points to him and mouths, “I’m f*cking him tonight.”

I’ve heard that before and I have no doubt she will. That’s Addison. She’s been on a different continent for all of three days and she’s already found her next hookup. I put my hand in the air to mimic that of a tigress claw and mouth a silent roar.

I’m giggling at her doing the same gesture behind his back when a man’s voice startles me. “Enjoying the wine this evening?”

I look up at the person speaking and I’m not prepared for whom I see. A feather could knock me over. It’s him, the beautiful man from the club.

I didn’t get to study him for long the other night, but he’s even better looking than I remember. He’s tall with broad shoulders, the kind I’d like to run my hands across and glide down his strong arms. His dark hair is unruly in contrast to his businesslike attire, and I wonder if he purposely fixed it that way or if a woman has just finished running her fingers through it. If it is the latter, then damn, what a lucky woman.

He’s dressed in another suit, this one dark platinum with a pinstriped shirt beneath. His coordinating blue and platinum tie makes his azure eyes even more intense.