Page 72 of Bitter Beats

“Of course,” he replies quickly.

I tuck his business card into my clutch, and he reaches to hold my flute as I fumble with the clasp. When I take my glass back, his fingertips brush mine, and he holds my gaze, his eyes flashing with an eagerness that makes me pause.

Wait. Does he think I’m interested in something other than professional support?

I shuffle back half a step and take a sip of my champagne to buy a moment. Wracking my mind for something to say, my eyes dart around the event space, looking for Mav.

Christian’s hand darts out as I lower my champagne flute, and his thumb presses lightly to the corner of my mouth. “A drop,” he explains as his fingertips flutter across my cheek and skim the top of my shoulder.

He moves naturally, his tone holding a hint of apology. I shake my head, confused. My stomach twists and the back of my neck prickles, a warning.

But I must be reading into things that aren’t there.We’re in the middle of a party!

I glance at Allegra, but her eyes are glued over my shoulder.

Slowly, I turn around, and my heart rate jumps as I note Derek and Mav moving toward us.

Relief flows through my body as the tension in my shoulders deflates. I smile at Mav, grateful to see him, and his expression hardens.

Mav’s face is locked down, his jaw tight and his eyes flat. A cloudy blue that looks lethal. He glares at me, and I stand straighter. Oh, shit. He definitely misinterpreted that. I polish off my champagne and brace for his impact.

“Are you all right?” Christian asks, moving a hand to the small of my back.

I flinch and try to put space between us but with Allegra now on my other side and the bar ledge behind me, there’s nowhere to go.

Mav sneers, his eyes zeroing in on where Christian’s hand touches me.

Shit.

I look up at Christian to explain the situation, but before I can get a word out, his hand is forcefully swatted away.Maverick’s presence eats up the space. The air. My ability to think coherently.

“I see you met my girl, Carrington,” Mav states, his voice cold and his eyes hard.

I angle myself toward Mav’s frame, but he ignores me. Right now, his glower is aimed at Christian.

A rush of nerves, mixed with frustration, rolls through me.

Is Maverick jealous? Was Carrington hitting on me?

I shake my head, if only to clear my thoughts.

“Fuck,” Derek mutters behind me.

Allegra grips my hand. I squeeze her fingers and pull in a breath.

Together, we wait for the night to unravel.

TWENTY-FOUR

MAV

Christian Carrington is a sniveling,pretentious little bitch.

His hand on Mckenna’s back made me want to pummel my fist into the center of his face. Her gazing up at him, sparkling blue eyes and worrying her bottom lip between her teeth makes me want to tear my hair out and pound my chest like a damn caveman.

What the hell is happening to me?

I don’t react like this. I don’t do jealous.

---