Max
I COULDN’T TAKE my eyes off the stunning creature who’d captured my undivided attention. I’d acted as if I hadn’t known who she was when she sat down next to me, but I’d seen her picture on the firm’s website during my research of my new employer. I was also aware her father was none other than Randall Winthrop, the managing partner, all details I’d left out of our earlier conversation.
As I watched her storm off, the thought of engaging her in an argument again excited me. While twisted, the thrill of the chase, mixed with the back and forth would be exhilarating. I hadn’t come across someone like her in quite some time. She was a challenge; too bad she’d never belong to me. I wasn’t one for going after another man’s woman.
“Sir?” the bartender called. “Would you like another?” He pointed toward my glass, and as much as I would’ve loved to lose myself in another drink, I needed to cut myself off.
“I’m good. Thanks.” The five seconds my focus had been turned away from Alina proved to be five seconds too long. When I looked back across the room, she was gone. Irritation flowed through me, and before I dared to contemplate why, I vacated my seat and slowly strode across the vast space.
Crowds of people blocked my path, but being the new guy at Winthrop, Krueger, and Donn, I knew it was my professional duty to mingle with everyone gathered. If it wasn’t so imperative for me to make a good impression that evening, I would’ve stayed home.
But if I had missed out on the charity event, I would’ve never had the pleasure and intrigue of meeting Alina Winthrop.
Before Harris stole . . . I mean whisked Alina away, he’d mentioned that her father was waiting for them. Curiosity won, and as I finished a meaningless chit-chat session with a couple, whose name I’d already forgotten, my feet propelled me forward until I was but a few paces from the small crowd formed in the far-left corner of the room. From where I stood, I could see Alina’s profile, Harris steadfastly right by her side.
I quietly approached, being sure she hadn’t noticed me as I stood behind her and pretended not to listen.
“So, Alina, your father tells us you’ll be following in his footsteps soon enough. Is that true?” All the men present looked intrigued by the gorgeous woman. I couldn’t say I blamed them.
She dipped her head and closed her eyes, a beat longer than normal. When she looked back at the man who’d asked the question, she answered, “No. I could never follow the likes of my father. His shadow would surely suffocate me.” She chuckled, but the sound was tense, although her audience didn’t seem to notice the strain in her tone. They were all smiles, nodding as if they agreed with her.
“Now, now, sweetheart. You know that’s not true.” Randall Winthrop stepped forward to put his arm around his daughter’s shoulder.
“I’ve taught my daughter well. She’ll do great when I finally step down.” His words were filled with praise, but the edge to his tone was curt, as if he himself had doubts about his daughter’s abilities.
I took a moment to study the man, trying hard to get a better read on him, but it was nearly impossible. I’d never met him in person, my interview and offer being conducted solely with Krueger and Donn, but I’d seen a picture of him.
His short dark hair grayed at the temple, lines of experience and sophistication etched around his eyes, and although he was in his late sixties, he had an otherwise youthful look about him.
Alina flashed the group a tight smile before shrugging away from her father. His face fell but only briefly, the mask I was sure he presented to the public settling back into place rather quickly. “If you’ll excuse me, I need some air.”
“Don’t be too long. We have an announcement to make.” I watched the interaction between them, the tension so thick it made me slightly uncomfortable. Harris chose not to follow her, instead staying fixed to her father’s side.
A minute later, I inconspicuously retreated and headed toward the balcony, my mind reeling with all the things I wanted to say, and not say. I had no idea how our interaction would go, but uncertainty had never stopped me before.
I should have left her alone.
I should have said my goodbyes and left the hotel.
I should have done a lot of things differently that evening, but I ignored my voice of reason and waltzed out into the warm night air.
At first I couldn’t find her, but after another quick scan of the people milling around, all with the same intention of reveling in the beautiful evening’s spring weather, I saw her huddled in the corner.
Her black gown was classy yet dangerous. The material, while covering her completely and making her appear modest, fit her like a glove, accentuating every curve of her lithe body.
It took every ounce of control inside me to not stalk toward her and demand she leave with me.
Promising her a night of unbridled lust.
I would control every breath she took, every spasm her muscles contracted, every blink of her entrancing eyes.
Get ahold of yourself, Colter. My inner chastising should’ve made me flee and leave well enough alone, but I refused to listen to reason, even when coming from myself. It was out of character for me to hold back, my earlier actions proving I loved to push the envelope, but it was different when presented with a real opportunity to be near her.
Switching gears, pushing aside any thoughts of conquering this woman, I settled on a bit of entertainment instead. The event was boring as hell, Alina being the only light of the evening. Some of the people had gone back inside, giving me the opportunity to quietly walk up behind her. I longed to incite the feistiness within her, possibly taking her mind off what was surely bothering her, if only for a moment. Parting my lips to speak, I slammed them shut as soon as I heard her sniffle.
I took a step closer and heard it again. Then I saw her shoulders tremble slightly, and all my plans to verbally play with her went out the window.