Page 33 of Eluding the Billionaire
Chapter seventeen
Drew
Withanothertugonmy bow tie, I look around the fancy ballroom. There are a lot of people here, but luckily it’s a huge ballroom, so I’m not feeling stressed. No, tonight the tension in my body is completely unrelated to crowds of people. I’m so out of place amongst all these rich socialites and this tuxedo has me feeling trussed up like a Christmas turkey. In my head I congratulate myself on the analogy since it feels like I’ve just stepped into the fire.
I wonder again if Katie knows I’m coming tonight. She didn’t mention it the other day in the London office, so maybe she doesn’t even know I’ve been invited.
I shove one hand deep into the pocket of my trousers and with the other, take a glass of champagne off the tray of a passing waiter. I wish I didn’t feel like a stray dog that’s wandered into a cattery. You don’t get a lot of Christmas charity galas where I grew up, so who knows what even goes on at one.
With another glance about the room from my new vantage point, I spot her talking to a big guy and a statuesque brunette in red. It’s hard to tell if the guy is with Katie or the woman in red until suddenly, the man and woman walk away, leaving Katie alone.
I approach her from behind, and when I’m within arm’s reach, I say in a low voice, “Good evening, Katie.”
She jumps, champagne from her nearly full glass, spilling onto her finger. She turns slowly. “Drew.”
The sound of my name on those sweet red lips is like a siren song, and I want her right here, right now. Except we’re standing in the middle of a ballroom filled with people.
Her eyes flash with fire, and it’s the only warning I get before she says through clenched teeth, “Why are you here?” Okay, she’s pissed. This time, I was expecting her anger. It would have been stupid to think otherwise after our meeting last week.
I take a step back. “I was invited.” She’s not surprised to see me, so my answer should be expected.
She rolls her eyes, then hisses, “Yes, but why did you come? Wasn’t it less publicity you were looking for last week?”
I like this fired-up version of Katie. She’s got claws, and it’s sexy as hell.
“I came to see you. After our meeting, I didn’t expect I’d be granted another opportunity to speak to you.” It’s an honest response, but from her pained expression, it’s not exactly welcome.
She closes her eyes briefly as she draws in a deep breath. Then she speaks like each word is coated in spikes. “Just stop. You run hot and cold depending on the day … or your mood … Playing your little games with me like I’m your latest shiny toy. I don’t like it, and I want you to stop.”
I reach out to hold her hand, the one she was just waving at me. “I don’t mean to—”
But before I can finish, a giant of a man strides up to us and interrupts. “What the hell is going on here?” he demands, and as he stares at our clasped hands, Katie quickly withdraws hers from mine.
She spins, placing herself partially between me and the intruder. “It’s okay, Hunter. Have you met Drew, also known as A. V. Campbell?” She looks over her shoulder at me. “Drew, this is Hunter Carlson, CEO of Carlson Publishing.”
Fuck. It hits me; this is one of Katie’s stepbrothers, which is why he’s gone all protective intimidation on me.
I stretch out my hand to him. “Hunter.” He takes it in a firm, viselike grip while continuing to look between Katie and me. Well, this isn’t exactly a stellar introduction to her family, especially since I couldn’t resist responding to Hunter’s grip with one of my own, making it a pissing competition. There’s no winner, but I think we understand each other better. At six foot three, I’m tall and obviously know how to take care of myself, but even I would think twice about taking this guy on. He’s huge. If all of her brothers are like this one, then it’s a wonder anyone ever dared to ask her on a date.
Then, as if I’ve conjured up the complete Carlson clan, two other dudes of equal height join us, flanking Hunter. What the fuck?
Katie turns to me again and is now trying unsuccessfully to mask a smile. “Drew, these are my other brothers. Blake.” She points to the fairer of the two men standing shoulder to shoulder with Hunter. They must all be at least six foot five. “And this is Logan.”
I step forward and shake hands with each of the men, concealing my reaction as first Blake, then Logan each deliver bone-crushing handshakes. They fucking know I’ve had sex with their sister.
Katie says to Hunter, “Drew and I were just discussing his UK book tour after the new year.” Hunter squints, then glares at me. He definitely knows there’s something going on here, and I’d say he’s not happy about it. I hold his stare.
She continues with inane small talk, and I let her because eventually it has the desired effect of moving her brothers on, one by one. Logan is the last to leave, and as he heads in the direction of the bar, Katie turns to face me.
“I’m sorry about that. No one should have to put up with my ridiculously overprotective brothers. Not even you.” She worries her bottom lip, and I want to rub my thumb over it. But I know that wouldn’t be welcomed.
“So how many of your brothers know I slept with you?”
Her eyes become huge. “Only Logan definitely … but maybe Blake because his girlfriend, Bec, and I are friends. I may have mentioned something when I spoke to her a couple of weeks ago.”
I smile down at her. “Blake knows, if the small broken bones in my hand are anything to go by.”
“Sorry again. I know they can be a little intense. At least they didn’t ask you to step outside. Logan was always doing that in high school.”
