Touched (The Untouched Trilogy #2)(17)
Having shared such intimacies with a man like Aiden and to abruptly stop required some regrouping, and, of course, that applied to the sexual aspects as well as the emotional.
One of the side effects of my affair with Aiden that I’d quickly detected was my enjoyment of a man for more than sex. This was partially due to my experience with Aiden and in a lesser, but still significant, degree to Kellan. I’d sensed from only a few conversations with him in St. Barts that he was a great guy. And although I’d sensed he was a great guy, I couldn’t take anyone at face value; I’d asked my attorney to run a back-ground check. Given the financial aspects of our relationship, my request was warranted. Kellan was a Senior Hedge Fund Analyst and I was his firm’s most recent client. A thorough review of his firm’s credentials was actually a suggestion from my attorney. I’d added the extra request, explaining to my attorney that I’d be working exclusively with Kellan until further notice; therefore, I wanted to run a check on him as well. I was less paranoid after my attorney gave both him and his firm the all-clear. I didn’t want another Aiden-sized secret popping up and knocking the air out of my lungs.
I took one last look in the full-length mirror before walking out of my bedroom. I’d selected a Maison Rabih Kayrouz red bias-cut charmeuse one-shoulder gown. It had a draped panel that extended from the shoulder to the asymmetric hem at the back. There was a high asymmetric slit in the back of the dress as well, which showcased the results of the extra time that I had put into my leg workouts. The Giuseppe Zanotti lace-up red pumps I’d chosen would not be very supportive so I was hoping that the amount of standing and walking would be minimal this evening.
“Wow! Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly look more beautiful. You look amazing,” Kellan marveled, as I entered the sitting area.
“Thank you. You look quite amazing yourself,” I replied. Kellan was a very handsome man and was quite dapper in his dark blue suit. His light brown hair was cropped short. He had chocolate brown eyes, strong arched brows and prominent cheekbones. His chin and nose were well-defined as were his lips. I had a thing with guys’ lips and although Kellan and I had only shared the one kiss, his lips captured and held my attention quite often.
“I thought we’d have a drink before we headed out,” he said, extending a glass of wine to me.
“Thank you,” I said.
“When are you going to play something for me?” he asked, looking at the piano.
“I’m not very good, but I may be able to play a little something for you.”
“Okay, let’s hear it,” he urged.
“Now?” I asked.
“Why not?”
“Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” We walked over to the piano and I took a seat as Kellan stood behind me.
“What is that?” he asked.
“What?”
“That.” he said, pointing at the inscription.
I suppose I would be asked that by anyone who saw this piano.
“The piano was a gift,” I started, not knowing how to explain the rest. “And this inscription was sort of an inside joke.”
I could sense he wanted to ask me something else but was relieved when he didn’t.
“Any requests?” I asked, jokingly.
“How about –”
“I can only play five songs so it needs to be one of those five,” I interrupted.
“Well in that case, you choose,” he replied, grinning.
“If you insist,” I said, and dove into my favorite of the five. When I finished I looked up to see him smiling.
“What? You look surprised,” I said.
“Honestly, I am. I thought it was more of a decoration piece. That was amazing.”
“Really?” I asked. I’d never played for anyone before besides Vincent, my instructor, so I was nervous. “I’m too excited to be offended by your décor crack.”
“You can crack a joke on me later to make up for it.”
“You can count on it mister.”
“We should get going,” he said.
I grabbed my pashmina and clutch and we walked out to start our evening.
*****
We were amongst the first to arrive and easily spotted Raina and Zoe. We walked over to greet them and I introduced Kellan. Shock quickly passed over Raina’s pretty features as recognition sat in. I was sure that she remembered that Kellan was the guy that I’d rushed out of RPH a few weeks ago. I’d never attended a business function with a date before so I knew that Raina’s shocked expression wouldn’t be the only one I would encounter tonight.
We were knee-deep in discussion about the charity, Kellan’s job and how he was enjoying his time in Boston when an uproar toward the entrance halted our conversation. We turned to see what all the hoopla was about and my heart nearly jumped out of my chest. It was Aiden … and he wasn’t alone.
Raina looked at me, knowing that I would have some type of reaction to his appearance. I tried to appear as untouched by his arrival as was possible. I smiled at her and she turned back facing the entrance. The smile was plastered on my face and it was as fake as everything else I’d been projecting as of late when it came to Aiden. I continued to watch him along with everyone else in the room. He was born with the ability to charismatically command any room. Tonight was no different. He allowed everyone to soak him in before he stepped from the threshold; shaking hands and nodding hellos. Photographers were snapping pictures and reporters were flinging questions. After a few greetings, he was shown to his table – which was closer to ours than I would have liked.