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I’d always lead a quiet life, never into the party scene. Even in my teens I’d never gone out and partied. Now that we were here, I could feel my confidence slipping. I was way out of my depth.
“Not really. Just a few close friends.”
A few close friends turned out to be easily three hundred people. Butterflies flapped in my stomach as I walked into the stylish, and large ballroom at the hotel. I had never felt so out of my league or so plain in my life. The women were all exquisite, like supermodels.
“This is a few close friends?” I whispered as we got out of the lift and walked inside. Nathan smiled a sly, knowing smile. He knew I wasn’t prepared for a party like this and I knew he was enjoying the fact that it was rattling me.
I wasn’t surprised to see people turn to look at us curiously as we walked past. I guess I was somebody new and to them, I could have been anyone. The thought didn’t settle my nerves though, I was still feeling way out of my element.
“Nathan, you’re here. How are you?” called a tall, blond-haired man. He walked over to us and firmly shook Nathan’s hand with the familiarity of friends.
“Hello Dustin,” Nathan smiled. “I’m great. How are you?”
“Fantastic. I see things are going well for you.” He smiled knowingly at me and slowly looked me up and down, making me feel awkward and uncomfortable. I instantly disliked the man.
Nathan gave him a smile, but I noted it was a little tight around his eyes. “This is Rose,” Nathan said simply, and he surprised me by looking down at me and giving me a reassuring smile.
Dustin and I exchanged greetings and Dustin excused himself to go and mingle. But not before giving me another sleazy onceover.
“Just relax, honey. You look nervous. Don’t worry about Dustin, he’s a flirt, nothing more,” said Nathan. “I won’t let him bother you.” He sounded so sincere that I couldn’t help but smile. “That’s my girl.”
Oh boy. My girl?
He reached down and took hold of my hand and I was surprised again when I enjoyed the feeling of his big hand wrapped around mine. We walked around for a while and Nathan introduced me to everyone, never once treating me like just a piece of ‘arm candy’, like I had expected him to. I did note that most of the single young women were not very happy to meet me, some even brazenly flirted with Nathan right in front of me like I wasn’t even there. I didn’t care though, he wasn’t my man and I’d never had anyone jealous of me before. It was a novelty.
Later in the night, Nathan and I found ourselves seated on a lounge chair alone. It had been an exhausting whirl of people, names, faces and business talk for me, but I was having a good time. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d gone out to any sort of party. Nathan and I had both enjoyed a few glasses of champagne and I could see Nathan’s features had softened with the alcohol in his system.
“I don’t think I’m very popular here,” I said, a slight smile forming on my lips, the champagne making me feel light and comfortable.
“Oh?” Nathan asked, raising an eyebrow. “What makes you think that?”
“Because I’ve taken one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors off the market,” I mused, my smile spreading across my whole face. “At least for tonight.”
Nathan laughed a low, deep laugh. I hadn’t heard him laugh before and I liked the sound. “Well, let’s give them something to really be jealous of.” He leaned over and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I felt a hot wave rush through me, the shock of the kiss taking my breath away and heat shot straight to the apex of my thighs. I couldn’t believe the very experienced Nathan Davenport was kissing me. In public.
“Nathan,” I hissed, when he slowly pulled away. “Why did you do that?”
“We are dating, Rose. Why shouldn’t I kiss you?” Nathan replied.
I was shocked by the effect his kiss had on me. It wasn’t a passionate kiss, but I’d enjoyed it. Really enjoyed it. His lips were soft and I could still taste the strawberries he’d had with his glass of champagne.
“Well, you should have at least warned me,” I whispered. I was clearly flustered, and he knew it too.
Nathan sat back in the lounge chair. I could see it gave him great pleasure to know he’d rattled me. “Did I just stir some feelings in you, angel?” he asked casually.
I felt my cheeks flush a deeper pink. “No, you did not. I would never feel effected by someone like you,” I lied. His kiss had caused me to feel something that I didn’t want to feel with a man like him.
Nathan’s smile was lazy and cocky. “Why don’t we go home and see what kind of affect I have on you there?”
I scowled. “You won’t have any effect on me there either.”
Nathan moved closer so his lips were right next to my ear. “You should put that mouth of yours to better use.” He leaned over and kissed me again and this time there was no hiding the passion he put into it.
I felt the heat rise through my body again, like rivers of lava. My lips parted against my wishes to welcome more of his kiss. I wanted him to stop, yet I wanted more. How could this horrible man make me feel so weak at the knees? What was wrong with me?
Nathan pulled away and I swore I saw a slight dazed expression in his eyes. “Come on, Rose. I’ve had enough of being here. Let’s go home,” he said, and his voice came out sounding dark and husky.
Part of me wanted to go home with him and the other part of me was scared of what might happen if I did. “We haven’t been here for very long.”
