Page 48 of Beautiful Enemy

The next show brought in over twelve hundred partiers.

To celebrate, I took the next day to explore the island, Toro more than happy to show me both tourist places and local haunts.

Natalia, having caught me working at odd hours one too many times, decided I needed a hobby. When I told her about the little crocheted dolls I made during my art school undergrad and sold on Etsy for extra cash, she surprised me the next day with yarn and materials.

If I expected to hear from Harrison about the increase in sales, there’s been nothing since the night he came after me like a tuxedo-clad god on the steps of Christian’s villa.

“I’m fucking sorry.”

As if he expected that to undo everything he’d done.

But the sick thing is part of me wanted to accept his apology. Not only for that night but for all of it.

I start typing out a text to him.

Rae: Toro’s started showing me the island by driving me around, but I’m pretty sure it’s so he can tell stories. Ash broke this blue vase shaped like a mermaid while playing soccer inside yesterday. Barney whines every morning when he sees you’re not there.

I pocket the phone without hitting Send.

But later, the thing vibrates in my pocket.

Harrison:Tell Toro to take a goddamned day off. Ash needs to fuck around outside. And you can let my dog know I’m catching a flight back today.

Shit.

I must have accidentally hit Send.

There’s no dwelling on the humiliation, though, because he’s coming back. And I’m looking forward to seeing him.

Instead of my fucked-up feelings over one mysterious billionaire, I focus on this evening’s set.

I choose a black jumpsuit, plus the wedge sandals that were returned to me by one of Christian’s staff the day after the gala. Once I got over the embarrassment of being tracked down to return the footwear I left in the hall, I decided to break them in.

I like how feminine I feel. Not as much beautiful as powerful.

A goddess, in Harrison’s words.

I line my eyes extra dark and take care with my shiny, neutral lip gloss.

“Are you coming tonight?” I ask Ash on my way out.

“I have a date. But it’s a secret.” He winks.

“Damn secrets. Between you and Harry—”

“Harry?” He cocks a brow. “Have you called him that to his face?”

I glare. “Are you ten years old?”

“Nope, and neither are you.” His gaze runs down my body. “Which is why it’ll be interesting when he finds out.”

Unreal.

“You get why he’s more of a prick than usual around you. He’s not used to wanting what he can’t have. Between you and La Mer...it’s a rough summer for him.”

As I get into the front seat of the car with Toro, I’m still thinking of Harrison.

I miss his suits. His smooth voice, his icy-blue stare, the firm lips that make my stomach tighten imagining how they’d feel on mine.

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