Page 74 of Between Desire and Denial
“So you just want to hook up with them?” He narrowed his eyes. “They’re not worth it.”
“Oh my God. That’s beside the point.”
“Do you really think Kee would want you going out and taking a chance—”
“You told me I should be taking chances and enjoying dances.”
“What fucking dance are you seeking?”
“Well, hooking up normally leads to a great—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” he ground out.
I blew a raspberry and waved him toward the door. “Let’s get walking before I decide these heels and this party aren’t worth it.”
His eyes were on my legs. “The heels are fucking worth it all right. The party? I’m not sure.”
When we walked into Melly’s backyard that night, I expected her to have gone all out because every person who volunteered to host a grill out normally did. But even I stood there with my mouth open for a minute. Her backyard was larger than most as she had the woods behind it, but she made sure to showcase the expansive estate nestled among the lush trees. Lights were threaded in the woods, illuminating a path with a sign pointing into it saying,Enjoy the enchanted woods.
Women dressed like fairies held champagne trays and one sauntered up to us immediately, her task obviously to greet guests. “Welcome to Fairy Land,” she said and waved at the glasses she held. Smoke flew in front of her wand over our drinks and somehow they sparkled into the night. I took two because I knew I would need them.
Dimitri shook his head and smiled down at me. “She has enough for both of us.”
The fairy fluttered away, but my attention was on him. “I don’t have enough. You should have taken one. You’re going to need it.”
He chuckled. “I enjoy a party.” He shrugged as I watched him take in everything. The pool’s sleek curves were lit up by an ever-changing colorful light, and there were five waterfalls cascading into it. A transparent floor was seamlessly suspended over the water, and people walked across it, oohing and aahing at how it held them.
“Eep! You both made it.” Melly’s high-pitched voice could be heard from the house as she barreled across her patio to come hug Dimitri. She had to stand on her tiptoes to meet his tall frame, and she folded into him perfectly, her shimmering white pearl fairy dress much more revealing than mine. “Do you like the theme?”
Dimitri nodded and I agreed with him. “Sorry we didn’t dress up much.” I shrugged. Women were dressed to the nines, but the men hadn’t really indulged. I saw Jameson from the corner of my eye as Melly rambled on about how she had a live band for the whole night. Jameson rolled his eyes, and I snickered.
But Melly kept going on and on. She had Dimitri’s full attention because why wouldn’t she? She was a tall, beautiful brunette who knew how to flaunt what she had. And then she snatched even more of his attention as she said, “We are holding a little impromptu meeting about some of the points that will be addressed at the next board meeting soon. I’ll put in a good word for you, okay?” She placed a hand on his arm, and my body instantly wanted to rebel and lash out at her. She was touching what was mine. Didn’t she know that?
But I took a deep breath. This is what we were here for, to engage with the community. Even so, Dimitri stepped back and put his arm around me. “I’ll be at the board meeting. In three weeks, correct? I’d love an invite to yours, too, if possible.”
“Oh, that’s just a couple of us girls. We get together every now and then. But I’ll speak highly of you, promise. If you’d like, we can catch up on your plans for the condo and office building in a bit. I think that’s the biggest concern right now, correct?” The woman had an uncanny knack for ignoring me, and so I knew inserting myself here would do us no good.
I tried to step away quietly, but Dimitri’s hold on my waist tightened even as he continued to talk with her. “I hope it’s of no concern once I let everyone know how rentals will work. And the office building will be the same, but I don’t believe we’ll be renting it out much at all. Most everyone working there will be a part of the HEAT empire.”
“Oh, I know that,” she said like they’d been partners in his business for years. “We just have to convince everyone else, right?” Her laugh was so soft and perfect as she leaned into his side.
“Of course.” He shrugged.
“Now, I have to mingle.” She waved at another guest. “But catch me for a dance later so we can talk about this more, okay?” She fluttered her eyelashes.
That’s when I stiffened, and I knew Dimitri felt it. “I probably won’t,” he admitted to her with no remorse on his face. “I intend to dance with my girlfriend all night.”
Melly quite literally said “Oh” as if she was surprised to find me there. “I’m sure Olive won’t mind letting me sneak you away for a dance or two though.”
“It’s fine.” What else could I say?
“She wouldn’t mind, but I mind letting her sneak off with another man.” Melly looked as if she’d been turned down in front of all her best friends. Maybe she had. Rina and Willa were actually right beside her. They were tall and skinny and stunning in their own ways. Just as Melly was.
Neither of them, like Melly, made any attempt to say hello to me even though we’d all been in high school together. “Well, either way, we’ll see. Olive, so glad you could make it too. Watch your step next to the pool tonight.” She bustled away, and her friends followed as Dimitri kissed my forehead.
“You’re laying it on too thick,” I murmured to him.
“No. I think it’s just right. You’re mine around here. They need to know you deserve the same amount of respect I do.”
