Max
DAMMIT! I WASN’T someone who pursued unavailable women, but there was something about Alina that scrambled my brain, making me want to throw caution to the wind and say ridiculous things like, ‘I know we just met, but I feel some sort of draw toward you, and if I’m not mistaken, I believe you feel the same.’
I’d never been so anxious for a woman’s attention before, and while my inner turmoil racked through me, my fingers continued to circle her delicate wrist. The warmth of her skin shook my insides in such a way I barely remembered to breathe.
“Don’t do something you’re going to regret, Alina.” While still holding onto her, I stepped closer so her back was flush with my chest. Leaning down until my lips brushed the shell of her ear, I whispered, “Don’t let other people make decisions for you.”
“Like you’re doing for me right now by not letting me go?”
Her words jolted me back to reality. I released her wrist, but she didn’t move forward like I’d expected. Instead, she remained motionless, continuing to lean back into me. I didn’t think she realized she was doing it, not until the one person I truly didn’t want to see right then made an unwanted appearance, strolling through the double doors and out onto the balcony with us.
“Alina, sweetheart, there you are.” Harris walked toward her with purpose. He hadn’t seen me at first, my silhouette shrouded in the shadows, but as he stepped closer, he saw me positioned close behind her. Too close to have been appropriate, and we both knew it.
Throwing me a warning glare, he reached for her hand and pulled her forward. She didn’t falter. She didn’t hesitate. Like a well-trained Stepford wife, she shuffled her feet and followed him back inside, but not before glancing over her shoulder at me one last time.
When our gazes connected, an explosion of confusion and hopelessness swirled behind her green eyes. The look was brief yet poignant.
Mumbling incoherently to myself, I most likely seemed a bit touched in the head, but I didn’t care. I wanted . . . no needed more time with Alina. To do what, I had no idea. I was drifting into unchartered territory, and if I wasn’t careful, I would most surely drown.
Leave her alone. She’s taken. She’s not yours.
Silently repeating this mantra over and over, I stood frozen in place for the next five minutes. Five minutes of wondering what Harris and Alina were talking about, what they could’ve possibly been doing in the darkness of the elongated hallways. I knew she’d never slept with him, but did he steal as many kisses from her as she would allow? The beat of my heart thumped against my chest, the breath from my lungs singeing me as if my insides were ablaze.
What was wrong with me? My annoyance at my odd feelings was what finally drove my feet forward, what caused my eyes to narrow in on the bar at the far end of the room, and what made me drown myself in another drink.
My newfound aloofness lasted all of twenty minutes, fading as soon as I heard her father speak into the microphone. Twisting in my seat, my attention was once again captured by the woman standing in front of the stage, fidgeting and looking as if she was ready to bolt from the room.
“I have a wonderful announcement to make,” Winthrop rumbled, the ease of his tone belying the tension underneath. From what Alina had divulged to me earlier, and the quick glances I’d seen between father and daughter, neither one of them seemed to be happy with the turn of events. Or rather, Alina wasn’t happy, not in the least. Winthrop was annoyed with her reaction, but since he seemed to be getting his way, which I was sure wasn’t the first time, he seemed content.
“First, I’d like to thank everyone for coming tonight to help support the firm’s favorite charity, The Wounded Warrior Project. As many of you may know, I served in the Army many years ago. And during my tours in Vietnam, I’d seen unthinkable things, which is why I feel so passionately about helping our wounded vets. They sacrifice everything for this country, and we need to make sure we’re doing what we can to take care of them when they come home.” A round of applause erupted, and even though I didn’t get a warm and fuzzy feeling from Winthrop, I knew he’d been heartfelt in his speech.
“On another note, I’m proud to make an announcement about something more personal. My beautiful daughter, Alina, will be marrying Christopher Harris in the fall.” He beamed brightly, pointing toward his daughter and Harris, who were standing in the middle of a widening crowd, everyone smiling and clapping at the unexpected news. My heart rate picked up its pace. My throat constricted that the news had been made public.
I focused on Alina. The quick rise and fall of her chest. The slight pinkish hue enveloping her creamy skin. The forced smile curving her lips. The tension straightening her stance. The way her eyes subtly glanced for an escape.
Then they met mine, and I swore to Christ we exhaled at the same time. Moments passed between us, erasing everyone else present. I didn’t know what was happening to me, but I had to stop it, and do it soon. Before I could look away, however, Harris followed his fiancée’s line of sight and landed right on me. He gave me a look, one mixed with surprise and annoyance, before seizing Alina’s waist and pulling her close. Before I could blink, he slammed his mouth over hers, the surprise of his action causing her to stumble backward. Ensuring she didn’t break the connection, he gripped her tightly to steady her. The kiss wasn’t obscene, not like it would have been had those been my lips devouring her, but it was enough to make my jaw clench.
“I guess my future son-in-law is happy,” her father said with a laugh, placing the microphone down before descending the steps. Once he’d reached them, he encircled Alina and Harris, an arm thrown over each of their shoulders, smiling big for everyone, shooting his daughter a warning glance before kissing her temple. For anyone not studying their every action, the display of control would’ve been missed, but I saw it all.