Being at home isn’t exactly that much better. Dad is always watching me when he’s there. He analyzes me with scrutiny, as if he’s trying to ascertain whether I’m crazy or not.
I’ve only been around my family for the last two weeks, and it’s been a nightmare. Throw in my mother’s obsession with wedding planning for Charlotte and Cole, and I’m in ultimate hell. The wedding has been set for the last week in June, so God knows what craziness I’ll be drafted into until then.
Evan strokes my thigh and I shuffle away again but then…I get the distinct impression of eyes watching me. The sensation is suddenly so strong now that I’ve realized it.
Following the pull of energy I look up to the balcony at the second-floor bar. There my eyes lock with Luc’s.
Just like at the fundraiser, I think I’m seeing things, but the longer I stare the more I realize he’s really there. The truth makes my nerves dance and warmth rush over me.
I gaze at him standing by the balcony dressed in full black, looking like some dark prince. I take in every detail of his striking features, perfectly accentuated in the glow of light surrounding him.
A sexy half-smile lifts the corners of his mouth and the world seems to shift, then pause, leaving only that raw attraction I haven’t stopped feeling for him.
It takes me a moment to realize I’m not breathing. I inhale a quick breath, which clears my head of the haze, then it occurs to me that he might have been watching me for a while.
How long has he been there?
That thought sends a chill rushing over my skin, a contrast to the heat pulsing through my core.
Evan rests a heavy hand on my thigh and grips it. That turns me back to face him.
“Hey, babe, you spaced out.” His hand creeps up my leg, moving toward my panties.
I swat it away. “Can you stop that?” The harshness in my voice shocks him. I was also loud enough for the people at the table across from us to look our way.
“Geez, sorry, I was just trying to have some fun with you. Maybe we should get dessert.” He smirks.
“No, that’s okay.” I look back to Luc, but my heart sinks when I don’t see him.
Evan follows my gaze. “What are you looking at?”
“Nothing,” I answer, but I’m still looking around for Luc.
Please, God, don’t tell me I imagined him.
I know I didn’t.
If he’s really gone, maybe he wasn’t here for me. Maybe he was with someone. But the way he looked at me suggested he wasn’t and that he was here to see me.
“How about we go back to my place and watch some TV?” Evan husks in my ear.
Feeling dismayed, and disgusted, I turn my attention back to him knowing there’s no way he’d be inviting me back to his placejustto watch TV.
“Actually, I feel a migraine coming on. They can get real bad so I should probably get home.”
I can see this man is definitely not used to women turning him down. He actually has the audacity to look shocked. As if I haven’t been throwing clues all night that he’s never going to get me in his bed.
“Sure. I’ll take you home.” He gives me a forced smile and waves the waiter over to ask for the bill.
My soul sighs with relief, thankful that I don’t have to suffer another full hour with this intolerable man. I’m going to have to find a way not to do this again.
And as for Luc…
What are you doing to me, Luc?
We’re both playing it safe by staying away from each other, but I wish we weren’t.
I reach home before ten, thoughts of Luc and the way he was watching me plaguing my mind.