Hell on Heels(15)

He grinned.

He wasn’t afraid of me.

“Fuck you,” I spat.

He dropped his hands to his sides.

Good.

His wasn’t stupid either.

“Goodnight, Princess.”

I walked away surprised I managed to stay upright. My limbs visibly vibrated with fury.

“Asshole,” I muttered under my breath, ducking towards the service entrance.

“Excuse me?”

I swivelled to see Tom approaching me with Tina on his arm.

“Nothing,” I lied.

Tina, his wife and my employee of three years, looked from him to me, and back again; she didn’t seem like she bought the lie, but she didn’t seem like she was going to call me on it either.

Shaking my head, I pointed to the direction in which I came.

“Someone knocked over a vase in the back hall. I just need to have it cleaned up.”

Tom nodded. “I’ll let them know. I need to check in with the sound crew anyways.”

“Thanks.” I sidestepped them and aimed for the ladies’ room to avoid any further scrutiny.

Tina was observant, and the thought of anyone seeing through me in that moment made me dizzy.

I was certain they wouldn’t like what the saw.

I certainly didn’t.

I was falling from a high, and fast.

No one handled the downfall gracefully, especially not me.

Making slow fists in the bathroom stall, I dug my nails into my palm before stretching my fingers wide and repeating the motion. My knees shook as I leaned into the cheap aluminum paneling and I continued the motion until my eyes dried.

I took the time to right my hair in the mirror and confirm the blush of my cheeks had settled before entering the common room once more.

Scanning the event, I waved to a few familiar faces and assessed if anything seemed out of place. It didn’t. The music was loud and the guests were drunk and happy.

Kevin made pained eyes over the head of his red-haired dance partner, and I shook my head.

The things people put up with for sex.

I was looking for Leighton when an arm slid around my stomach from behind and my gut coiled in response.

“You look beautiful tonight, Charleston.”

I recognized his voice as he moved the hair off my shoulder and placed a kiss there.

It surprised me as the tension fell from my body and I relaxed instantly against him. Rarely did I feel so at ease in the presence of a man as I did with this one. This was perhaps a change in me that I could get used too.

He turned me in his arms and I smiled. “You look better in person than you do on my television set,” I teased.

His laugher was deep and hearty.

I liked the way he laughed.

Tucking me into his side, he grinned. “I’m glad you think so.”

I was about to speak, when Beau sighed, looking down at me sympathetically. “I’m sorry about this.”

There wasn’t much time for confusion as people began to bombard us one after another. Some were interested in his political views; others just seemed to enjoy his company. Regardless, he introduced me to each of them and praised the work I’d done with Henry’s charity.

Many of the people we spoke to praised my speech and offered condolences for my untimely loss. It was kind, but I’d always hated sympathy, and each time someone mentioned it, I thought of the masked man and how small he’d made me feel.

Beau handled the crowd with ease and practiced discipline.

I was in awe of him.

He seemed to accept everyone for who they were without any hesitation. He boasted about the accomplishments of his loved ones proudly, and I felt at ease by his side.

We wore out the evening together, talking and laughing. Though, we didn’t dance. I noted some time ago that he’d stopped drinking rye, switching out to tonic water at my benefit.

He was a gentleman through and through, his small gestures surmounting to a great deal of thought.

My evening high was replenished in full by all that was Beau Callaway.

“He’s… wow,” Leighton whispered, eyes wide, as Morgan and Beau went toe-to-toe over golf scores.

Leaning into his side, I smiled at her. “Yeah.”

I didn’t know what to say. Beau was definitely wow.

The guests started to trail out, and before long, a member of his security team requested they make their exit soon.

“I’ll be out of town for a few weeks for the campaign.” I frowned at this and he laughed. “When I get back, I’d very much like to take you out on that date you owe me.”

His thumb trailed my jawline lightly. It was nice.

“You know where to find me.”

He kissed my forehead. “That I do.”

Then he lifted my hand and spun me in a little circle before kissing the top of my hand.

“Goodnight, Charleston.”

“Safe travels, Beau.”

I didn’t watch him go, not this time.

Instead, I settled into a chair next to Kevin, rested my head on his shoulder, and rode out my high.

I felt wanted, again.

I felt lethal.

I liked that.





“Venti vanilla misto, no foam, for…” Pause. “Charles.”

I rolled my eyes behind my sunglasses, picking up the coffee and twisting it to face me.