Page 118 of Scattered Glitter

I push down the nerves twisting in my stomach and turn to leave the exhibition room, only to almost collide with Belmont. He’s standing right in the exit, blocking my path.

Fuck. Did he already realize where his card went?

“What are you doing, Richard?” I force a smile despite my heart pounding so hard it feels like it’s trying to escape my chest.

“You want to be chased, sweetheart?” He smirks, a dark glint in his eyes. “That can be arranged.”

Oh, come on.

Of all the people, the first man I misread had to behim?

He steps closer, forcing me back into the exhibition room until my back is nearly against the wall. He leans in, his breath hot against my ear as his voice drops.

“You know, I’ve been thinking about you. About all the things I could do for you. Now you’ve got me thinking about all the things you can dofor mewith that pretty little mouth of yours. Bet it would feel so damn good,” he murmurs, his lips brushing the shell of my ear.

I can barely breathe, nausea rising in my throat, but I keep my face composed. I can’t afford to make a scene or punchhim right now because I don’t want to fail and let them and myself down.

I need this fresh start.

Belmont’s hand grips my wrist, his fingers digging into my skin as his other hand starts to wander dangerously low toward the slit in my dress.

“You know, a girl like you shouldn’t tease. Someone might take you up on it, and then you’d have to make good on all those promises.”

I need to get out of here.

With a quick twist, I wrench my wrist free and sidestep him, my heart pounding in my ears. Every nerve in my body is screaming at me to run, so I make a dash for the exit, but my stiletto catches on the hem of my dress, making me stumble as I reach it. I almost fall face-first, but a strong hand catches me, pulling me upright.

I look up straight into Nicholas Harrington’s forest-green eyes.

“Quite an entrance.” He chuckles, but then his eyes search my face, and his smile fades. “Everything okay?” He glances behind me, assessing the situation, his grip gentle as I regain my composure. “Hey,” he says softly when I don’t answer, his gaze finding mine again. “You all right?”

I take a deep, steadying breath, but then his scent invades me. Fuck, he smells good like citrus and bergamot.

Despite his unexpected pleasantness, my throat still feels tight, and I have to force myself to swallow before I can answer. “Yes. Thank you.” It comes out shaky as I glance back toward the exhibition room where Belmont lingers, a dark scowl twisting his face.

Nicholas doesn’t let go of me, his smile unwavering but with a steely edge in his eyes. “How about we take a few steps over here?” he offers.

“Okay.”

As we walk, I catch sight of Koen. He’s only a few feet away, his gaze locked on me, fury evident in his eyes, and he’s panting. My stomach sinks, the fear I had pushed down clawing its way back up.

Is he mad at me for nearly botching this?

Nicholas follows my gaze to Koen, then looks back at me, his brow furrowing. “You sure you don’t need a getaway car?”

God, he’s cute.

If I want Nicholas hooked, I can’t fall into his arms.Literally. This situation has probably triggered his helper complex, but even in my scattered state, I pick up on his wariness as if he doesn’t entirely buy what I haven’t even tried selling yet.

Forcing a smile, I grab onto whatever control I can. “No, thank you.” I straighten, and give him a polite smile, taking a step away so he has to let me go. “Thanks for the assist, though.”

I quickly turn away, locking eyes with Levi as I stride past Koen without another glance. Levi, who’s still by the cake with Sylus, glances between Nicholas and me and hisses under his breath as I come to stand beside him.

“What the hell are you doing here instead of over there?” His eyes blaze with irritation. “I said throw yourself at him. Not as literally as you just did, but hey, if it works.”

My fists clench, and irritation battles with exhaustion inside me. “He’s not who you think he is, he—”

Levi cuts me off. “Iknowwho he is,” he snaps. “He’s a dumb as fuck, self-centered himbo who thinks the world belongs to him, and his muscles make him better than everyone else.”

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