I can’t seem to find my breath. My emotions are spinning wildly out of control. I can’t look away from him. All of my strength is in those amber eyes. “I’ll stop you if it isn’t,” I say. It’s the best answer I can give him, because I honestly don’t know how this will go down. All I know is that I want to try.
Sucking in a breath, Oliver wets his lips. His gaze falls to my mouth again, and he lifts his hand to gently cup my cheek. He pauses a moment, giving me time to make sure I’m okay with his actions. When I don’t protest, he leans his face down to mine.
Our lips meet in the lightest of touches. His kiss is feather light. He very delicately presses our mouths together. Desire flares through me the moment we touch, and I lean into him, wrapping my arms up around his neck. Following my lead, Oliver slides his hands around my waist and pulls me closer. He parts his lips to make it an open-mouth kiss and hesitantly seeks out my tongue with his. It’s sweet, and delicate, and just demanding enough that it’s breathtaking. It’s a perfect kiss.
And then, without me having to end it, Oliver pulls back. He’s smiling softly, but there’s a question in his eyes. I know what he’s asking, but I can’t answer him. Not vocally, anyway. I’m too choked up. When my eyes mist over, I bury my face in his shoulder. He gently holds me while I try to compose myself. “You okay?” he asks.
I nod, still refusing to let him go, face still buried against his shoulder. “More than okay. Thank you, Oliver.”
His hug tightens, and he brushes his lips against the side of my head. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
With one more deep breath, I pull myself out of Oliver’s embrace and smooth out my dress. I’ve managed to stop any tears before they could leak from my eyes. I’m afraid to look at him, afraid it will be awkward, but when I meet his gaze and he looks at me with such an understanding smile, a weight lifts off my chest. He’s still Oliver. He’s still my best friend. He glances toward the door. “You ready?”
I pull my shoulders back with a sigh and stand up straight. “As I’ll ever be.”
Through the door comes Cecile’s muffled voice, welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming. I know that’s my cue, but I’d rather stay here. Oliver knows exactly what I’m thinking, and he smirks. “You’ll survive.”
“Maybe.”
“Come on. Your public awaits.”
Oliver has to drag me from Cecile’s suite. When we reach the stairs that lead down into the main room of the club, the first thing I notice is that I am the only person in the entire club wearing white. Everyone else is in dark or bright colors. I stand out big time. I’m sure that was Cecile’s plan. The second thing I realize is that no one is moving or talking as I make my way down the stairs with Oliver. All eyes are trained on me, my guests watching me enter with reverent awe. It’s quite the entrance. Cecile certainly knows what she’s doing. “I’m going to kill Cecile,” I grumble as Oliver and I descend the stairs arm in arm.
He chuckles. “Just don’t trip down the stairs, and you’ll be fine.”
“Don’t jinx me.”
Terrance is waiting at the bottom of the steps, with a scowl on his face. He looks me over from head to toe and grumbles, “I’m going to kill Cecile.”
I take that as a compliment and laugh. “You and me both. Stick close by and fend off any extra enthusiastic admirers tonight?”
He grunts, but he’s trying to hide pleasure behind his scowl. He loves playing my surly bodyguard.
Cecile finds me next and greets me with an air kiss. “Nora, darling. Come. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
Yeah. I just bet there is. Like every single person at this party, which has to be a couple hundred people. So much for small. I try not to groan as she grabs my wrist and drags me into the crowd. It’s going to be a long night.
I drop onto a barstool with a groan. It’s been hours, and I haven’t had a second to myself all night. I’m exhausted, my head hurts, and my feet are about to stage a revolt. Wulf appears on the other side of the bar. He’s in a tux as well, but I think he’s spent the majority of the night serving drinks despite the fact that there are other employees who’ve been hired to do his job for the evening. Truth be told, even though he’s one of the most social guys I’ve ever met, I think he’s more comfortable back there. “Need something to drink?” he asks me.
Gratitude and relief wash over me at the mere thought. “Yes, please. Something with caffeine.”
“Make that two,” Oliver says. He squeezes my hand and adds, “I’m going to hit the restroom. Think you can manage a few minutes without me?”
His smile is teasing, but my answer is serious. “It’ll be difficult. Hurry back?”
Oliver’s answering smile is a sympathetic one. “Two minutes.”
I watch him as he hurries off, warmth spreading through my chest. Oliver’s been such a lifesaver tonight. Just like he promised, he hasn’t left my side all evening. He’s stood quietly beside me through every introduction, content to be my arm candy. Having him with me has been my saving grace.
“How’s your night been so far?” Wulf asks, sliding two Cokes across the bar. I take a huge swig of mine before answering.
“Chaotic. It’s been nonstop introductions, and I still haven’t met half the people here. I haven’t met any of the people I was hoping to meet yet.”
Wulf frowns. He knows who I’m talking about. Rook and Alpha Toth let him in on the plan so that he could be added security for me should Axel or Marie try something. So far, all has been quiet. “Hmm. Well, don’t go too far, and I’ll see if I can find a few friends of mine.”
He’s not gone two seconds before a new voice startles me. “Looking good, little spitfire.”
I open my eyes to see Nick and Parker standing in front of me. When had I closed my eyes? “Just good?” I tease. “Don’t you mean gorgeous?”
Nick smirks. “I’ll start calling you gorgeous when you start returning the favor.”
I laugh. He winks. I shake my head at his silliness. It’s pretty much par for the course with us. Then he goes and surprises me by saying, “Seriously, though. You look beautiful tonight.”
“Thank you.”
When he turns to order a drink from one of the bartenders, Parker uses the opportunity to snag my attention. “Good evening, Nora.”
“Hey, Parker.”
I take a moment to look him over. Like Oliver, Parker seems as though he was born to wear a tux. He’s so James Bond. He looks good. As always, he gives me a tiny, knowing smile, as if he can tell how much I’m attracted to him.
He takes my hand in his and leans forward. I think he’s going to kiss my hand, but he surprises me by going for my cheek instead. “You look positively enchanting tonight,” he whispers.
Goose bumps blanket my skin, and I have to suppress a shiver.
He starts to pull away, but then he freezes and his body goes rigid. He takes a deep breath, inhaling my scent. When he finally leans back, he’s frowning slightly. His eyes seem to have a million questions in them. It takes me a moment to realize what upset him. I don’t get it until Oliver reappears and Parker’s frown deepens. Parker can smell Oliver on me. He must know that Oliver kissed me. The two men eyeball each other warily and force strained smiles at each other. All I can do is wonder how in the world I got myself into this position, and more importantly, how am I going to fix it?
“Well, this is an interesting development,” Nick teases, smirking at Oliver and Parker.
I shoot him a nasty glare, which he returns with a wide grin. “My money’s on the wolf.”
Startled, I glance behind the bar. Wulf has returned, and though he’s grinning as if this conversation is the most entertainment he’s had all night, he holds up his hands in surrender.
“Not that wolf,” Nick says.
He casts his gaze to my left. Oliver, Parker, and I all follow it to the group of people walking toward us. Rook is leading the charge. Oliver sighs, and Parker’s jaw clenches. Wulf and Nick both chuckle. I flip them both off with a sweet smile, which makes them burst into laughter.