Page 46 of Hunted Temptation
The conversation begins to flow around me, and I let out a sigh of relief that I’m no longer the focal point. I continue to make breathing my priority.
In and out.
In and out.
I didn’t think this would be so nerve-racking, meeting his friends, his coworkers… his family. But I’m ready to go back to his office—alone. He can lock me inside, and I would at least be able to relax a little bit. But this? I’m having a hard time even breathing, let alone relaxing.
“How are you liking Vaughn’s place?” a soft voice asks next to me.
Turning my head, I look up at her. She’s got dark hair and a kind smile as she sits beside me. I didn’t even know she was there. But she’s quietly slipped into the chair beside me, and for a moment, I let out a sigh because she’s so quiet.
Chewing on my bottom lip, I watch her for a moment, then give her a small smile before I force myself to answer.
“I like it a lot. It’s really nice.”
“It is, right?” she agrees.
My heart slams against my chest. She knows what his place looks like. Why? I open my mouth to ask her that question, but before I can get the words out, she answers the unasked question.
“I was staying in the attached condo below his when I was having some troubles. Vaughn was a godsend for me.”
“He was?” I force the words out.
I hold my breath for a moment before I let it out slowly. I am trying not to be jealous or petty, but I really don’t like that this gorgeous specimen is sitting beside me, telling me just how much she loved living below Vaughn and how much of a godsend he was for her.
“I’m Nadine. I work for Theron, but I’m with Grayson,” she announces.
“With Grayson?” I ask.
She gives me a wink before she answers. “We’re not married, but we’re very much together. We’re partners.”
Oh.
“I’ve never been with Vaughn. None of us has. Lucille is with Theron, and Colette is with Merrick. We work with the guys, but we’re not single. I mean, I used to be, but Grayson and I are very committed to one another.”
Her words comfort me. I don’t know if they should, because honestly, I had no reason to be jealous, but at the same time, I very much was and still am.
As much as I want to pretend to be some kind of mature woman, I am not that. At least not on the inside. I want to claw her eyes out for even having had any kind of relationship with Vaughn, strictly friendship or otherwise.
“Oh,” I breathe.
“I just thought you should know,” she says with a smile. “I’m from Nights. My brother lives on the outskirts of town, too. What about you?”
I can’t imagine that she doesn’t know exactly who and what I am. I want to be snarky and say just that, but decide against it.
“I’m from California,” I say. Although if they all work together, I can’t imagine she doesn’t already know that.
Thankfully, I’m saved by the sound of a phone ringing and one of the guys announcing that lunch is here. Nadine excuses herself, along with one of the gorgeous guys, who I assume is her man, since he places his hand on her ass as they walk out of the room.
A few moments later, they are back with food, and we all eat. I can’t deny that I let out a sigh of relief when Nadine sits next to her man, away from me, and I’m able to ignore everything around me as I concentrate on my food. Or rather, concentrate on not being part of the conversation happening around me.
The men begin excusing themselves, blaming work, and I’m grateful for it. The women do the same, though I can feel their questioning gazes on me, and then we’re finally left alone in the room, just me and Vaughn.
“Too many people?” he asks.
He’s a seat down from me. Turning my head, I lift my eyes up to meet his. He is watching me with an expression of concern on his face. I bite the inside of my cheek, rolling the skin back and forth there for a moment before I answer.
“Was I rude?” I ask, my voice coming out much softer than I anticipated.
