The Reluctant Heiress: A Novella(19)

Sebastian’s date squirms in his lap as he nips along her bare shoulder and neck. When I feel phantom pulses on my own skin, I finally snap out of it. Shuddering, I look skyward.

Yep, there she is. Full fucking moon.

I approach the bar, maneuvering between groups to reach the counter. After six failed attempts to gain the attention of a bartender, the man beside me comes to my rescue, lifting his drink and shouting, “Over here!” A woman scurries our way and I quickly order.

“Thanks,” I say, glancing briefly at him.

He nods, smiling slightly. “You’re too short. Where’s your wingman?”

“Dancing. Where’s yours?”

His eyes narrow appraisingly; a teasing smile tilts his lips. “Are you hitting on me?”

I shrug. “Maybe. I’m bored.”

He laughs. It’s a nice sound, genuine and unoffended. He’s good-looking in a hipster way, slender and tattooed. A little rough around the edges. Vintage t-shirt, jeans, and messy light brown hair. I can’t tell what color his eyes are—blue or green.

My drink arrives, and I take a long swallow.

“What do you do?” he asks.

“This and that,” I reply. “You?”

His smile widens. “Screenwriter.”

“Ah.”

He chuckles. “There’s a lot of opinion in that little word.”

I shrug again. “Can’t throw a rock in L.A…”

“…without hitting someone in the industry,” he finishes with a grin. “You’re really not going to tell me what you do?”

“Nope.”

He shifts until we’re face to face. “Can I guess?”

“Fire away,” I say, smirking.

“Voiceovers.”

I snort. “What the hell?”

“You’ve got a great voice. Silk and smoke.”

I laugh. “I bet that line works on all the girls, doesn’t it?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never said it before. Did it work on you?”

There’s attraction in his eyes, and I briefly wonder why it isn’t affecting me. I look at my drink, which is empty again.

I’m suddenly tired.

“Candace!” Vera’s screech from right behind me almost causes me to throw my glass.

I spin. “Jesus, woman! My heart just exploded!”

My neighbor laughs, eyeing six feet of sweaty, sexy Vera. “This your wingman?”

Vera ignores him, and I finally realize her eyes are burning with anger. “What?” I ask quickly. “What’s wrong?”

“You need to come with me, right now,” she snaps, grabbing my arm and pulling me away from the bar. I wave goodbye to my mildly disappointed screenwriter.

Vera drags me halfway to the door leading into the club before I dig in my heels. She turns fast, gripping my shoulders. “Sweets, you’ve got to see something. I’m sorry, but you have to come inside.”

I lift a hand. “I already saw it, Vera. Robert and the blonde. It’s all good.”

Her flushed face pales a little. “You saw them? Oh God. Are you okay? What can I do?”

“Nothing. Do you want to hang here with me for a bit, or are you going back inside?”

Her eyes track over my face, searching for emotion. There isn’t any to see. I’m a pool of still, clear water. Moonlit numbness. The storm rages somewhere beyond this quiet space, but for now, I’m insulated.

“I’ll stay with you,” she says firmly. Taking my hand, she glances around the crowded patio. “It’s a madhouse out here. Oh, I know those girls. There’s a few empty seats. Do you mind if we join them?”

“Whatever.”

She guides me across the patio. By the time I recognize the group, it’s too late to back away. Introductions are made. Air kisses and insincere compliments. We squeeze onto a chaise.

Sebastian and his date, at least, are nowhere to be seen.

There’s bottle service. Vera hands me a glass of amber liquid, which I throw back. Ah, more whiskey. After tonight, I seriously doubt I’ll drink the stuff again.

My ingrained social training allows me to chat, laugh, and pretend I’m interested in meaningless conversations.

When the group goes strangely quiet, it takes me a few seconds to catch up. I look curiously for the source of everyone’s attention.

Sebastian.





13





Sebastian stands alone several feet away. Midnight eyes burn with unbridled rage, which happens to be directed exclusively at me. Pebbles begin raining onto the surface of my still pool.

I stand up, wobbling a bit. No more whiskey. Vera grabs my hand to steady me.

“Bast?” I ask, and my voice sounds strange. Young and scared.

The rage is gone in a blink. “Do you know where your boyfriend is right now?” He might as well be asking for a check on the weather.

I nod, forcing my mouth into a smile. “Sure do. Thanks.”

Sebastian glances at Vera; I can’t see her face, but when he looks back at me, there’s a hard glint in his eyes. He reaches out his hand.

“Come on, I’m taking you home.”

“What? No! I’m having fun.”

“You’re slurring, your tits are spilling out of that ridiculous dress, and from the lack of underwear lines, you’ve probably given half these people a peepshow. Get your ass over here or I’m dragging you out.”