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I take a long sip of my drink and try to focus on anything other than the magnetic pull of Elijah’s presence. Failing, I can’t tear my eyes away from him. My traitorous body betrays me, every nerve ending screaming for him.

Seeing them together, looking like the perfect couple makes me sick to my stomach. Esther’s hand still grips Elijah’s arm like she owns him. I suck in a breath, willing the ache in my chest to fade, but it only digs deeper.

It’s fine.

It should be fine.

We had fun for a night.

Nothing more.

“No men tonight, and instead, to an unforgettable evening with my best girls.” Mary raises her champagne flute in a mock toast. Her eyes flick between Elijah and me.

“Cheers.” We clink our glasses.

Mary’s expression falters for a second. “Don’t look.”

But of course we do. With a woman on his side, Bash strides toward Elijah, exchanging a handshake.

“Seems like Sebastian is a good friend of his,” Lil says.

“They’ve been doing business together and got pretty close. Best friends,” Mary says.

“How do you know this all?” Amusement dances across Lil’s face.

Mary shrugs. “Well, that’s one advantage of having the queen of gossip as a mother.”

I glance between my friends, each word tightening the knot inside me. My voice is barely more than a whisper when I say, “He’s my one-night-stand from the masquerade.”

Mary chokes on her drink, eyes widening in surprise.

“I guess your mother missed a tiny detail,” Lil says.

“Apparently.” My eyes dart back to my brother and Elijah. “Shit.”

Bash is pointing in our direction and beckons me over with a wave of his hand.

My pulse quickens as Elijah’s eyes find mine, a knowing glint shining in them. I feel naked under his gaze like he can see right through me.

From across the crowded room, Elijah lifts his hand in a casual wave.

Memories flood back of the night we spent together. His hands on my body, his lips whispering filthy promises against my skin, the raw desire in his gaze as he… and the crushing disappointment when I found him dining with Esther instead of waiting for me. It’s too much.

The familiar thrill courses through me mingled with unease. In return, I offer a hesitant nod, clasping my clammy hands behind my back. His eyes remain locked with mine a moment too long before he turns away, leaving me breathless.

“Want to go grab some burgers?” Lil says.

“No, we stay.” I’m grateful for her suggestion, but I won’t leave because of them.

My gaze drifts back to my drink, the condensation on the glass cool against my fingertips. Two can play this game.

Similar to what he did with the glass of water, I catch one of the condensation drops with my finger and bring it to my lips, the coolness tingling against my skin as I lock eyes with Elijah from across the room, gauging his reaction.

His gray eyes darken as he watches me sticking out my tongue to lick up the drop. The hungry look that crosses his face makes my cheeks flush, but I don’t break eye contact.

I can almost feel the heat of his body against mine, his hands and lips exploring every inch of my skin. The image makes me squirm.

Esther notices the shift in his attention and places a hand on his chest, following his line of sight. Her perfectly arched eyebrows knit together when she spots me, lips pursing in displeasure. She leans into him, red lips moving against his ear.

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