Page 53 of Undercover Desires

“That’s a great foundation to be starting,” I reply sincerely. “You have my full support in whatever you need me to do.”

“Thank you,” Hazel says with gratitude in her eyes. She’s so different from what I thought she would be like.

Two hours later, we have eaten lunch and shopped up a storm. The girls have helped me pick out some nice casual clothes that Hazel insisted I have because they fit me perfectly. Apparently, I’m the same size as the sample model. And I have a gown to wear tomorrow night. It’s blush pink, soft and floaty at the bottom, with a fitted bodice in a sheer fabric, with lace covering all the parts one needs covered up.

“Are you sure this isn’t too revealing? There is a lot of skin showing,” I ask them again, studying my reflection in the mirror.

Hazel places her hands on my shoulders and meets my eyes in the mirror. “This is the dress. You look perfect in it, and it doesn’t even need alterations.”

“It’s classy skin, sexy but in an understated way, and you have the figure to pull it off. You should go for it,” Summer encourages me.

It suits me, and I look nice, but in the pit of my stomach, all I can think is what will Kobe say? I don’t want to draw any more attention to myself than I have already attracted with him. Truth is, when I asked him to kiss me last night, I was a mess. Somehow, in my fragile state I turned to him for comfort. I gave into the desire swirling between us, and now I’m scared Ihave started something I won’t be able to finish. We both agreed we would forget what happened, but bumping into him this morning, seeing the way he looked at me, I already know that’s not possible.

I thought the rumors were that he fucked a girl once then never saw her again. Shouldn’t he be over his infatuation with me and on to the next girl now? It didn’t feel like it. It almost felt like he was challenging me to round two, and that’s what scares me. Because I want him to.

CHAPTER 22

KOBE

“Nice job with thevenue. This place is sweet,” I compliment Hazel, genuinely impressed. I shouldn't have been surprised—she has good taste.

As I stepped into the grand ballroom tonight, my attention was immediately drawn to the luxury that surrounded me. This place is a little more opulent than the club or bar I usually find myself in. The room is massive, with towering ceilings adorned with intricate dark woodwork and sparkling chandeliers. Walls lined with mirrors reflect the grandeur of the space. Rich colors dominate the decor, with shades of burgundy, navy, and gold lending an air of sophistication. The draperies are heavy and luxurious, cascading in elegant folds from the windows and framing views of the moonlit gardens outside. She did very well.

“Thanks. I was lucky it was still available after the other place canceled on us. Piper got in contact with Axel for me. He owns the place, even gave me a good deal because it’s for charity.”

“How nice of him,” I mutter, suddenly distracted.

I feel her presence before I see her. I turn toward the door just in time to watch her walk through the open double doors of the ballroom. She’s striking in a floor-length pale pink gown that showcases her curves to perfection.

I drop my head to Hazel’s ear. “You didn’t tell me you invited Bella.”

“I didn’t think I had to. She’s here to hang with me.” She waves toward her new friend, calling her over. I know I was the one who asked her to make friends with Bella, but I’m not sure I like how close they are becoming. She needs to remember she’s the enemy.

Hazel opens her arms, pulling Bella in for a warm hug. “You look stunning. Amelia is going to lose her shit when she sees you in this dress.”

“Thank you. You’re too kind. I can’t believe you were able to get it for me last minute, you’re a lifesaver. And looking a million bucks yourself, I might add.” Her eyes come to me. “Kobe,” she greets me with a tight smile like she wished I weren’t here.

Bella wasn’t kidding when she said she had already forgotten what happened between us. From the moment she walked back on the floor that night, she’s been back to her old self with me, a little cold and very distant. The closeness we shared is nowhere to be seen. It’s like it never happened, even though I know it did. Running into her at Caffeine Corner yesterday was a bonus, being able to call her out for lying even better. Now I have something over her I can use to my advantage.

“Bella.” I let her name roll off my tongue. I might have told her to forget it, acted like that’s what I wanted as well, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Seeing her standing right in front of me looking so edible is pure torture. I would like to remind her to call me Mr. Rivera, but with Hazel at my side, I restrain myself.

“Bella, you know Jett, but have you met Leo and Piper? Leo is Jett and Kobe’s brother,” Hazel introduces her to the rest of the group. “And Piper is my half-sister.”

She holds out a hand for him to shake, and I feel jealous that it’s his hand wrapped around hers. I’m itching to touch her. “Nice to meet you,” she says, not sounding so sure. I wouldn’t be if I were in her situation either. I’m surprised she took Hazel up on her offer to come tonight. She’s ballsy, I’ll give her that. But maybe she sees it as a prime opportunity to get dirt on us.

Leo looks her over, and a growl that’s supposed to be a greeting comes out of his mouth. Piper is more welcoming, taking her hand and giving it a squeeze. “Nice to finally meet you. Hazel has told me a lot about you.”

“She’s told me a lot about you as well. Congratulations on the baby, you must be excited,” Bella gushes, a little sparkle in her eyes. She wants kids. I hadn’t thought about what she wanted for the future. I hadn’t really been thinking about her as a normal person at all. But something about what happened between us the other night has me seeing her in a different light.

“We are.” Piper smiles toward Leo, running her hand over her growing belly. She’s in a black full-length gown that shows off her baby bump. Part of me still can’t quite believe that Leo is going to be a father. He might have been an amazing big brother to me and Jett, bringing us up in the absence of our parents, but he’s not the baby type.

A bell sounds, signaling it’s time to make our way to our tables. “I’m going to grab another one of these before we sit. Anyone else want one?” I ask.

“You can get me and Bella a bottle of champagne.” Hazel smiles sweetly.

“I guess that can be arranged.” I raise a brow in Bella’s direction. She smiles a half-smile, not sure what to do around me. I think I like it this way. She’s not as confident as she is atthe club with her little girl gang around her. Here she’s a fish out of water.

I make my way to the bar, grabbing a scotch for myself and the bottle of champagne and two flutes for the girls. Making my way over to the table, I can see there is only one seat left for me, between Leo and Bella. If I didn’t know better, I would think Hazel is trying to play matchmaker. But I do know better. She knows just as well as I do who Bella really is, and trying to set us up would be a terrible idea.

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