Page 5 of Such A Bad Girl

“Don’t worry about it,” he said, his lips twisting with displeasure. “It’s none of your business.”

“I was just making conversation, jeez,” I replied.

“Leave Theo alone, Everleigh,” he said. “He’s super busy these days and has enough problems to deal with. The last thing he needs is you hovering around and bothering him.”

“You make me sound like an annoying gnat,” I snapped.

“Hey, you said it, not me,” he shrugged. A wave of frustration washed over me as he turned back to Kaylee and slung his arm over her shoulders, effectively dismissing me.

I downed my drink and put the glass back on the bar before heading out to the dance floor. I knew West was watching me, but I didn’t care. I was tired of him treating me like a child – an annoying, unwanted little sister specifically. It might take a little time, a little clever maneuvering on my part, but I knew eventually I’d get what I wanted.

In the meantime, I needed to let off a little steam and the dance floor seemed to be the right place to do it. I stopped in the middle of the dancefloor and began slowly moving my hips to the beat, flashing welcoming, friendly smiles at anyone who caught my eye. Within just a few seconds, I was joined by a gorgeous guy with wavy dark hair and a body that looked like it was sculpted from marble.

We didn’t speak, we just smiled a silent agreement and lost ourselves in the music together. His hands rested on my hip. His thighs sandwiched mine, and we moved our hips together rhythmically, sensually. He stared deeply into my eyes, his smile wide and happy.

We danced together for a few songs until we were both covered in a thin sheen of sweat, our breathless smiles stretched across our faces.

“I’m going to get a drink,” I said, attempting to bow out of the next song. It felt good to be there, dancing in a public space without the prying eyes of a camera lens being shoved in my face. For the first time in a long time, I felt like a normal person.

“Thanks for the dance,” I shouted in his ear. “I really needed that.”

I started to walk away and felt his fingers snake around my bicep and pull me back.

“Wait!” he growled, reaching his pocket. “Let me get a selfie? Nobody will ever believe this happened to me.”

My heart dropped. So much for feeling normal.

I reached down and pried his fingers off my arm, flashing him a polite, tight smile.

“No, thank you,” I said, shaking my head and walking away. The look on his face annoyed me. It was half entitled outrage and half puppy dog. Like I’d just kicked him or something. Like I owed him something.

Story of my life.

I longed to have just one normal experience, just one situation in my life that wasn’t laced with the travails that came with fame. There were days where the trade off wasn’t worth it. That didn’t mean I was ungrateful, but there was a price I paid for this life.

I found Kaylee at the bar without West and sat down next to her. I motioned to the bartender for another glass of wine and turned to her.

“Looks like you were having fun,” Kaylee said.

I groaned and shook my head. “Yeah, until he asked for a picture.”

“Ah, yes, the price of fame. I’ve had to get used to that with West. No matter where we go, people want to get close to him.”

“Right,” I said, nodding in agreement. “Neither of us seem to like that part so much.”

We sat sipping our drinks before I decided to confide in my brother’s fiancée. I liked Kaylee and she’d been good for West.

“I’m glad to have a few minutes alone with you,” I said.

“Me, too,” she said, smiling warmly at me.

“I was hoping maybe you could help me with something,” I admitted.

“Of course, anything,” she said.

“I was hoping you’d say that. The thing is, I know about the temple downstairs.”

“Oh?” Kaylee asked, lifting a brow. I couldn’t tell if she was trying to play innocent, but she wasn’t denying it.

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