Page 43 of Beautiful Enemy

It pleased me.

Everything about her tonight pleased me from the second she stepped out of her room in that dress looking even more stunning than I’d expected.

After spending my mother’s birthday with Rae, I did avoid her for the better part of the week.

Not because she’d done something wrong—on the contrary, I was thinking about her too damned much.

But when I learned my brother planned to bring her tonight as his date, something inside me broke.

The same part of me that purred with satisfaction when I drew her against my side, caressed her back with my hand like it was my right.

None of it means anything. Not compared to the reason I’m here.

I force her from my mind as I reach the doors of the library, spotting my quarry inside surrounded by a circle of men.

“How good to see you, Harrison.” Christian’s gaze lands on me, and everyone parts to let me in.

I extend a hand, which he takes. That’s their cue to leave, and they depart.

“Let me guess,” Christian says, accepting a fresh drink from a waiter once the other guests have pulled the library doors closed behind them. “You’re here to talk about football?”

“I’ll leave that to my brother. No, I’m here to remind you that you’re going to sell me La Mer.”

He sighs. “Harrison… I’ve known you for two decades. Ambition has always been a strength. But as an old man, I’m telling you to find other things in your life. My children are my joy now. Did you meet my Sylvie?”

I mentally scan the faces from the party, vaguely recalling a pretty young woman who greeted us near the door. “Yes. Lovely.”

“She is. My other children are settled, but I worry for her.”

“The young have a way of surprising you. She’ll find her way.”

I glance out the window and spot the glowing orange dress, Rae’s dark hair in waves around her shoulders.

It’s refreshing to see her without a costume beyond the dress I chose for her.

But as she trips down the steps, alarm has my abs clenching.

Christian follows my gaze, making a sound of muffled surprise. “Perhaps we should finish this conversation another time.”

No. We should finish it now.

But as Rae reaches the curved driveway, my feet won’t cooperate.

“One moment.”

I head out to the hall, pushing through the crowds and ignoring anyone who tries to stop me.

Ash steps in front of me before I reach the front doors. “Don’t.”

“Don’t what? Tell my date she should stay until the end of the party?”

“She said she wished she hadn’t come.”

A sharpened spear sneaks under my ribs.

I shouldn’t fucking care what she thinks, but I’m angry. She said she’d come with me, and she’s turning her back on me at the first opportunity.

I shove past Ash and take the steps two at a time.

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