Page 25 of Layne Closure Ahead

Joey smirked noting that he had managed to get under her skin. “Interesting choice of words.”

Layne shook her head while trying to keep things between them strictly business. After all, that was the agreement, wasn’t it? She would help him tonight and then he would be on his merry way.

Quickly ending the conversation and moving straight on to the matter at hand, she followed the rest of the guests dressed to the nines into the obscenely luxurious private home of Eric Ellis.

It was situated on a prized corner lot and was previously an old printing house that had undergone massive renovations that turned it into a residential space to be admired by the city’s deepest pockets.

What most people failed to notice was the extensive security on the outside. Cameras were tucked into various corners at multiple angles turning the home into a fortress. Nobody was coming or going from this place without it being captured on video. At least, mostly nobody.

When Layne and Joey both approached the entrance, there was a delay in movement as everyone was checking in with event planners to ensure no unwanted or uninvited party guests tried to sneak their way in.

Joey stuck close to her, only a step behind, and even then, she could still feel his gaze roaming over her body. Despite all of her conflicted feelings, she couldn’t deny that having him here with her put a part of her soul at ease. Something she hadn’t felt in some time.

When it was finally her turn to check in, she smiled pleasantly at the woman who looked like she was typically as quiet as a mouse. Her condensed facial features were speckled with a few light freckles, and her brunette locks of hair were tied back into a short but low ponytail.

“Name, please?” Yup, Layne was right, the woman’s voice was soft as a whisper in a confessional booth.

“Layne O’Reilly.” While the woman began scrolling through an iPad with names on it, Layne took a glance at the entryway. The gothic style decor was a little over the top for her tastes but it was better than the same boring old-money style that most of uptown was accustomed to.

The woman looked up from the screen and looked at Layne and then over at Joey. “I’m sorry, Ms. O’Reilly, but I don’t see a plus one next to your name.”

Joey stepped forward to intervene, but Layne rested a hand on his bicep as a signal for him to back down.

“Oh, he’s not my date, he’s my security. I didn’t realize I needed to register him, I thought it was already taken into consideration.”

The poor girl looked like she was on the edge of tears as an apologetic look crossed her face. “I do apologize, but we can’t allow anyone inside who hasn’t been pre-cleared. Mr. Ellis’ orders.”

This wasn’t off to a great start at all. Right as Layne was about to choose some stronger words to make her point to this delicate little rose, she heard Eric’s familiar voice as he approached. “Laura, it’s ok.” His hand patted the woman’s shoulder and motioned for her to continue checking in other guests.

The host himself was done up in a tailored tuxedo that was all black right down to the shirt. His hair was slicked back except for a small piece that was having no part of compliance with the rest of it. With all the darkness wrapped around him, the blue of his eyes particularly stood out more than normal.

He turned to Layne and stood there taking his time drinking in the image of her all dolled up. An image that he surely thought was solely for his benefit.

Eric’s eyes memorized every fine detail and curve that was on public display. His lips parted in awe, drawn in by the vision in front of him.

“My little harpy, you do not disappoint.” He exhaled a breath while his gaze remained locked on the vision that stood before him.

His hand reached out to take hers bringing it up to his mouth where he pressed a lingering kiss to the back of it. The gesture got minutely more intimate when his eyes lifted to stare at her as he did so.

The presence standing at her back was getting restless as Joey cleared his throat loudly.

Hearing the grumpy disruption behind her, Layne slid her hand out of Eric’s slowly. “Eric, I didn’t realize that I needed to register my security for the evening. I hope it won’t be a problem.”

The icy hue of Eric’s eyes looked past Layne at the familiar tall and well-built man accompanying Layne. Judgment and condescension settled across his face. Their prior standoff at the rock concert while he was enjoying Layne’s company had left a sour taste in his mouth.

He was quick to shift back into a man full of incredible charm the second he returned his look to Layne. “Of course not. Though, I will say there was no need for it. You have my full protection while you are here.”

Joey interrupted. “It’s not your job to keep her protected.”

Eric gave a light shrug. “No. I suppose you’re right, it’s not. Not yet, anyway.”

Starting to suffocate with the tensions growing in the air and the amount of testosterone being pissed around, Layne awkwardly tried to change the subject and move things along.

“I’m sure you have other guests to greet, I don’t want to keep you from your obligations.” She preferred he kept busy with all the other guests for as long as possible.

Eric gave a nod of appreciation that she recognized he had other duties to see to. “I look forward to us picking up our conversation later on the arrangement we’ve been discussing.”

Before anything more could be said, a rather heftily round man came up to Eric and slapped a hand on the back of his shoulder. A rowdy greeting followed before immediately diving into a conversation about the renovations that were done to the recently acquired building.

---