Page 24 of Shattered

“Considering you’re only the flavor of the week, I really couldn’t care less,” she said as she faked a bored look, inspecting her nails as if the mere thought of talking to me was of no significance at all.“He’ll tire of you soon enough.Then he’ll come back to me.”

Why did she have to use the same terminology the ignorant reporter used earlier?Flavor of the week.I didn’t want her words to hurt, but they stung like a bitch.

Before my brain could come up with a retort, she turned on her heel, whipped open the door and strode out as if I was nothing.No more than a nuisance who had to be dealt with.The lowest of the low, according tohersnooty ass, at least.

Trying my best to reel it in before I went back out there, I took a deep breath and mumbled to myself.“You can do this, Sara.You can get through this evening.Ignore that bitch.Alek’s with you.”I looked at myself in the mirror, my uncertain amber eyes staring back at me.I heard the words.I wanted to believe them, but she had succeeded in making me doubt myself.

Did Alek always go back to her?He’d told me they’d only slept together once.Did he lie to me?Was she lying?

I wouldn’t know anything until I left the bathroom.

I blew out one more breath before my fingers circled around the door handle.Pulling it open, I held my head high and strode out toward the ballroom.

Toward the man who was certainly going to be answering some questions.

~10~

Sara

Alek was standing near the end of the bar, his eyes glued in my direction as if he’d been waiting for me to emerge.

Once he saw me walking toward him, he pushed off the bar and met me in the middle.“Are you okay, Sara?I was on my way to get your drink and I saw Jacinda come out of there.”I couldn’t hide the hurt look on my face, no matter how much I tried or how strong I wished to appear.“Did she say something to you?”

I didn’t know how else to tell him but to just blurt it all out.“She called me your flavor of the week and said when you tire of me, you’ll make your way back to her.”Even speaking the words stung.Mainly because I had no idea whether or not she was lying.It seemed I was about to find out.“She’s the woman from the bar, the one who was hanging all over you that night, right?”I didn’t need him to answer.I remembered her name falling from his lips when he was trying to convince me they weren’t together.

“Don’t listen to a damn thing she says, Sara.She’s upset she can’t entice me into her clutches again.Once was enough, trust me.”And there it was.Him reminding me of their sexual tryst.

My silence was enough for him to pull me close, trying his best to soothe me with his strength and affection.“I mean it.Don’t pay attention to her.She’s just bitter.”

“Bitter she can’t have you?Again?”I hated he slept with her, but I hated it even more that images of them together were creeping into my thoughts.

I really need a glass of wine.Now.

“Yes. I’ve refused all of her advances, and it drives her insane she can’t turn my affections to her.I only have eyes for you.Please, trust me when I tell you that.You have nothing to worry about.”

His arm wrapped around my waist, the fabric from my gown brushing against his tux.Being close to him always reassured me.Not wanting to discussherany further, I changed the subject.

“I’d like that wine now, please.”Without further hesitation, he led me across the floor to the table we were sitting at. Once I was seated, he made his way to the bar to grab my much needed glass of escape.The people who were sitting with us were engaged in their own conversations, glancing over at me every now and then.I tried not to make eye contact with them.If they had no interest in conversing with me, then I had no time for them either.

Glancing around the room, I took in the sights of the various people, all gathered for one common reason.The dress attire was something I only saw in magazines.I’d never been surrounded by so many beautiful and wealthy people before in my entire life.

I was busy watching a younger couple interacting not fifty feet from where I was seated.She looked as if she was angry with him for some reason, her attitude written all over her face, although she made sure to keep her voice low enough so no one would hear.I couldn’t fathom why she would be upset.She was all dressed up, a handsome man on her arm and not a care in the world.Or so I thought.Until I saw another woman walk by, her handsome date’s attention following the passerby with every step she took.He has a wandering eye.Oh, the nerve.I didn’t know what I would do if Alek behaved in such a way in front of me.Actually, yes I do.I wouldn’t put up with it, plain and simple.

Lost in the make-believe scenario in my head, a voice startled me enough to make me jump.

A stranger’s voice.

“You’re quite the talk of the night, my dear.”A man with a raspy voice leaned close to my ear, hinting at a familiarity which didn’t really exist between the two of us.When I turned my head to find out who had been so brazen to invade my personal space, I was stunned to find the culprit was a good-looking man.He appeared to be in his mid- to late-thirties, tall with a slimmer yet toned build.His dark hair and bright blue eyes melted many a heart, I was sure.There was no doubt the man turned his share of heads.

But there was something familiar about him I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

“And why might that be, may I ask?”He seemed nice enough, so I thought it only polite to engage him.Plus, he was the first one who had actually sought out a conversation with me, so I took advantage.

“Isn’t it obvious?You’re hands-down the most beautiful woman here.Every man is looking at you with lustful want, and every woman is jealous.”He leaned back and extended his hand to me.I turned around fully in my chair to accept his gesture.“I’m Cameron.Cameron Devera.”

“Devera?”

“Yes.Alek is my cousin.Our fathers were brothers.”It was then it made perfect sense why he’d had a familiar air about him.There was definitely a family resemblance, although he wasn’t quite in the same league as Alek.Then again, I didn’t think any man alive was in the same league as Alek.

---