Page 64 of Master of My Heart

“Who is that?” she whispered to Jayson a little too forcefully.

He frowned, then looked around. When the man stopped in front of them, Jayson smiled and extended his hand. “Hi, Richard.”

She looked between Jayson and the man he called Richard. Jayson seemed completely at ease with him. Friendly, even. Sabrina didn’t understand how he could be welcoming and feel like Khyan at the same time...

Richard smiled at Jayson as they shook hands. She noticed a diamond ring on his pinky and something flashed in her mind, but it was gone an instant later. “Hello, Jayson. I was wondering when you’d show up.” He looked at her curiously, then smiled again. “And you have a very pretty date.”

“Richard, this is my friend, not my date. Sabrina, this is Richard Hawks. Richard, this is Sabrina Mansfield.”

She stared at him, willing herself to not tremble. When Jayson softly elbowed her in the ribs, she extended her hand. “Hi,” she said nervously.

Richard’s brow arched slightly before giving her another warm smile. He took her hand and kissed the back of it. “A pleasure, Sabrina.”

She nodded and pulled her hand back quickly, then swallowed hard, afraid he would think her rude. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hawks.”

“Please, call me Richard.”

He studied her eyes carefully. She felt as if he was trying to read her mind and looked away nervously.

“Are you from the Boston area?” Richard asked, genuine interest in his eyes.

She shook her head. Something told her to be careful what she said around him.

“She’s from Arizona,” Jayson volunteered. She frowned at him.

“Ah. What brings you out to our fair city?”

“I just joined the ballet company,” she answered quietly.

He nodded slowly, still studying her face.

She needed to escape his disconcerting presence and looked around desperately for someone she knew, but didn’t see anyone. She glanced at Jayson. “Is there a bathroom here?” she whispered.

He nodded and pointed to a door in the center of the side wall.

“Excuse me,” she said and hurried to the doorway. She could still feel Richard staring at her. She went inside and locked the door behind her, chest heaving with each breath.

She leaned her head against the marble wall and took deep breaths.

In... out...

In... out...

Richard hadn’t hurt her, hadn’t grabbed her. Maybe he wasn’t like Khyan. He didn’t give any indication he knew who or what she was. He only looked curious. Maybe he wasn’t a threat. Just to be sure, she decided to avoid him. Not that avoiding him would do any good if he wanted her. She was Immortal now. She couldn’t hide.

What if Khyan had sent him to find her? The thought terrified her and she closed her eyes against the tears threatening to fall.

She was getting too comfortable in this place. She was letting down her guard and her past seemed to be catching up with her.

She exhaled through pursed lips and lifted her chin. She was here now. If Khyan had sent this Richard to get her, then nothing would stop him from doing so. If he hadn’t and Richard was just... whatever he was... then worrying about it wouldn’t do any good. She just needed to make the best of things and pray that no one would get hurt because of her.

After a few minutes, her heartbeat calmed. Well, as calm as she could imagine it being. She’d stopped shaking, though, and could breathe normally. She opened the door slowly, thankful that Richard was nowhere in sight. She spotted Mya and Audrey nearby and headed over to them.

“You look awesome, Sabrina!” Audrey exclaimed.

“You do, too,” she replied with a smile, pushing aside her nerves. “Both of you.” Audrey wore a red dress with a very short skirt and low-cut top. Mya’s purple dress was long with a slit up to mid-thigh.

“There are so many hot men here,” Mya said, looking around. “Wealthy, too.”

---