Page 45 of Honey, Honey
“Oh, believe me, I’d love nothing more than that.”
Tears stung my eyes at the acid I heard in Law’s voice, but I refused to let him see how he affected me. “You’re a real asshole, you know that?” I said instead, and was proud my voice only slightly wavered.
“And you have no self control when it comes to making sure you’re safe. If you think I’m going to let you walk around here sauced and looking like you do, you’re out of your mind.”
“I’m not drunk,” I hissed at him.
“The fuck you aren’t. I can see a pattern here, Honey. You‘re irresponsible and you drag other people in to clean up your shit. That’s what I’m doing tonight, isn’t it? I’m the fucker on clean up duty courtesy of Zeus. What did you do? Figure out I came here and cash in a favor to make this happen? You knew who I was last night, didn’t you?”
I gasped, a hand raising to cover my mouth and I looked at Connie. “I have to step away. I can’t listen to this anymore.”
Connie gave me a nod. “Move it, Law.”
His blue eyes went to her and I could tell he didn’t like being told to move not once, but twice. He clenched his jaw, but said nothing and remained exactly where he was standing, which was right in front of me.
Connie’s eyes narrowed. “Now.”
There was a tense moment where I didn’t think the big man would move, but then he was, even if he looked like he hated every second of it. When he was far enough back I darted forward, hurrying through the crowd and looking for somewhere quiet to put myself back together. How could he have said that to me? I wasn't irresponsible. I was highly independent to the point of veering on isolation. I had never brought another person down with my shit, as Law called it. Even if I had known who he was and where to find him I would have never resorted to forcing him to spend time with me. I wasn’t drunk now, I was nervous and god, who wouldn’t be? And last night?
Last night I had needed to blow off some steam, and I hadn’t been alone. Tiffany and I had been having a great time until, until...until I’d gotten lost on the way to the bathroom and this whole stupid thing had started.
I hurried through the crowd and it parted in front of me. Connie’s sway was useful in a moment like this, but it also meant they had seen the whole thing. I blinked back against the tears that had once again welled up in my eyes. I wouldn’t cry. I wouldn’t do it just because an idiot who had given me an orgasm mouthed off to me. I had done a lot of stupid things in my life, but crying over Lawson Sokolov twice in 24 hours was not going to be one of them.
Down the steps I went, down into the corridor that ran along the perimeter of the Great Room and it was only there, when I had ducked into an empty alcove beside a potted plant, that I sagged against the wall with a gasp that told me I was wrong.
I was totally crying because of Lawson Sokolov, and there was just no helping it.
“Fuck,” I swore, dabbing at my eyes with the backs of my hands. My make up had taken time and effort and I was ruining the whole damn effect because Law had what? Told me shit I already knew he thought about me? There was no way what he’d said hadn’t crossed my mind while I lay in bed staring at the rapidly brightening sky. I’d known it then as surely as I knew it now. He’d told me exactly what he thought of being with me the minute he walked out of my apartment with no intention of coming back.
I just didn’t expect it to hurt this much hearing it come out of his beautiful mouth.
“Fuck,” I whispered again, sniffling. I put one hand on the cool marble of the pillar beside me and forced myself to stand up. I wasn’t going to cry in the corner tonight. I was going to get it the fuck together and keep my head high. I was going to enjoy some of the clout Connie’s attention had gotten me in the club and I was going to---
“Well, well, well...what do we have here?” A voice drawled, and my eyes went wide. “I didn’t think I’d see you tonight, but here you are and looking pretty as a picture.”
For the second time that night I was hearing words from a man that I could have just fucking done without.
I took in a shaky breath and pushed away from the wall, turning to face the man that had sent me into the anxiety spiral I was currently slipping away in. Law’s bullshit had been the icing on the cake, but this man? This man was the cake, and that cake was made of shit.
“Christian,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest.
The man that I had once thought I loved, or maybe even did but had learned not to, was standing nonchalantly in front of me. Not even five feet away, he was so close I could see every bit of him in hi-def. He looked good. His blond hair combed neat, gray eyes cool and indifferent, though they weren’t looking anywhere but at me. He was attired like he usually was when we had been together. Tailored slacks, designer dress shoes, impeccably pressed dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up, this I knew he did to show off the expensive timepiece he normally wore.
It was a well put together outfit that showed his wealth without implying he was trying too terribly much. Christian was always a fan of making sure everyone knew just how unimpressed he was to be in their presence. He would never go all out for the Cairn. I watched him consider me, eyes moving slowly over me from the top of my head down to my gold heeled feet and he let out a low whistle.
“You’re looking delicious.”
I shivered and tossed my hair over my shoulder. “What do you want?”
He raised an eyebrow. “You know what I want, but I’m not sure you’re game to give it to me.’
I felt my blood turn cold. “What the hell are you going on about, Christian?” I dared to look to the side hoping I would see some of the protection Connie had spoken of, but there was no one in sight. There was a commotion in the Great Room and I knew whoever was having their debut tonight was taking the stage. All eyes would be on them. No one would think to look down here in the shadows for me.
Perfect timing for whatever this was, but I wasn’t surprised. Christian had planned it this way. Of course he had. He’d thought of this and made his move at the perfect moment. The man with the plan. He always had one.
Why hadn’t I thought of it? How could I have been this careless?
Because you were fucking crying like an idiot over Law, and maybe you are a tiny bit drunk, my brain informed me and I scowled, hating the taste of the truth.
