“I’m sorry if we pressured you into this.”
He took a deep breath and gave me a small smile. “It’s alright. I just need a minute. I think I’m gonna step out for some air.”
“I can come with you,” I offered, but he was already shaking his head.
“Nathan looks like he’s trying to get your attention. Spend some time with your friends. I’ll be right back.” He kissed me on the cheek and snuck out the side door, his hand running roughly through his hair as it closed.
I felt bad he was having trouble, but I knew he was insistent on doing this. He needed some space to work through the anxiety.
“Hey,” Nathan greeted as he came up behind me and placed his hand on the back of my arm. “Someone wants to meet you, and I said I could arrange an introduction. Can you spare a few minutes?”
“Sure, yeah. No problem,” I said distractedly as I looked toward the door Evan had left through.
“She told me she’s a blogger, but she’s been out of the literary fiction rotation for a while,” he explained as I turned away from where Evan had escaped.
“Is she someone that Is invited?”
“Not sure,” Nathan shrugged. “I think she may have heard about it through the grapevine. She wasn’t wearing an ID badge.”
As we crossed the room, I saw a tall, slender, dark-haired woman send Nathan a calculated look. She would look harmless to a casual observer, but something about how she glanced at me sent alarms off in my head. “What did you say her name was?”
“I didn’t. We didn’t get that far. She only asked if I knew you personally.”
I nodded and sent her a tight smile as I approached her and raised my hand. “Chastity Rose.”
She nodded and sent me a predatory smile. “Oh, you don’t need to hide behind silly pen names with me, Chase.”
“Do I know you?”
“Not exactly,” she flashed that smug smile again, “but I know all about you.”
“I’m sorry, I’m at a loss here. Did Isobel invite you?” I’d never seen this woman before in my life. Was she some gossip rag columnist?
“She invited someone from my office, but I told her I’d be happy to take her place tonight,” she smiled as she waved her hand, looking around the room. “I was hoping to catch up with an old friend.”
“Oh, is there someone here you know?” I’d almost forgotten that Nathan was still standing there as he placed his hand on my back and stepped closer to me as we faced this woman. I think he could also tell there was something off about her behavior.
“You could say that, but I’m sure Chase thinks she knows him better. He’s certainly different than he was when I last saw him.” Her voice was light but full of sarcasm and condescension. “Apparently, drawing him down to your level lightened him up a little.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” Nathan asked as he stepped forward, his body acting as a defensive barrier beside me.
“Oh, nothing, just that introducing him to all your kinky friends has finally made him interesting.” She rolled her eyes and waved her hand.
“Excuse me?” Who did this bitch think she was?
“I’m well aware of your little research quest for this book. People in this industry talk, and I’m unfortunately aware of your last book as well,” she said lowly as she flashed me a dirty look and turned her nose up at Nathan.
“Okay, I don’t think you realize who you’re talking to, but take the condescending attitude elsewhere.” Nathan’s voice had a dangerous edge; I could see his Dom side starting to creep out. “People who follow my lifestyle don’t take highly to ignorant comments like the ones you’re making.”
“Nathan, it’s fine. I can handle this.” I placed my hand on his shoulder and tried to ease him back.
“Oh, I’m sure you can. Is Nathan here one of your ‘boyfriends’ too?” The woman rolled her eyes and looked at my hand on his arm in disgust.
“Not that it’s any of your business,” I laughed dryly as I took a step toward her with my own fake smile, “but Nathan is a friend, and my boyfriend is obviously someone you think you know.”
“Oh, honey. I know him so much better than you ever will. Your precious Evan can’t even carry on a conversation in public, much less an interesting one.”
My eyes widened as she said his name in an entirely too familiar way. “Who are you?”