Page 63 of The Mastermind

I didn’t go straightto the suite. Wandering around the hotel, I spotted another balcony, and sat on the bench. The chilly air numbed my emotions, and the sounds of waves crashing onto the shoreline soothed me. The sky had darkened, but muted colors tried to hang onto the last strip of light.

Was I doing the same thing? Hanging onto something that was slipping from my grip?

A couple entered the balcony, followed by three more people. No longer alone, I got up and went back to the suite.

Shutting the door to my bedroom, I leaned against it and closed my eyes. I released a slow breath, hoping the irritation would slide off me. Then I pushed myself off the door and walked to the long mirror on the wall, glancing at myself.

What happened to you, Audri?

“Remi happened to me.”

My emotions for him had been piling up, and it took tonight’s momentous event to implode everything into one big mess. Or was I just jealous of Alice? She had seen a side of him he didn’t want to show me.

Was Remi with her now? I had pushed him toward her. Had I overreacted to Alice?

Tonight was my breaking point. The emotional roller coaster drained me. We weren’t friends with benefits. We weren’t even casually dating. We were friends who flirted with each other.

Even if I wanted to continue this “thing” with him, I didn’t have the energy. How many more women like Alice would I encounter each time I attended these formal events? It would spark sadness and hopelessness in me.

I wasn’t avoiding any of those women. Everyone had a past, even me.I’m protecting myself.I placed a hand on my aching chest and felt my heart crack.

Regardless of my uncertainty, Remi was attracted to me. I saw it in his eyes. The possessiveness he displayed with Brian showed his desire for me.

But was Ioneof many he wanted?

Don’t settle for that, Audri. You’re more worthy than that.

That was for damn sure. I didn’t have trouble attracting men and could get a date easily. I didn’t need anyone to tell me I was valuable. I knew my self-worth. Tonight would be our beginning or our ending. I’d inform him we either start dating or end this “whatever” between us.

Reaching for the zipper on the side of my dress, I shimmied out of it and let it pool on the floor. I stood in the room, wearing only a set of light blue lingerie that was practically see-through, which I bought from The Style Palette boutique a few weeks ago. Looking in the mirror, I did something I shouldn’t have.

I compared myself to Alice. While I was of average height, Alice was a lot taller. She had bigger breasts, long legs, and an attractive face—an overall sexy figure. I’d been told I was attractive as well, and had believed it, had felt it. She and I were different people, displaying different desires. Which one did Remi want?

Reaching to the floor, I picked up the dress and tossed it over the chair as a knock sounded on my door.

My heart hammered. I needed to clear my head before I could speak to him coherently, but he always seemed to be a step ahead of me.

“What do you want, Remi? I’m busy.”

“Can we talk . . . please?”

I pursed my lips, unable to decide. Not waiting for my reply, he opened the door and stepped inside.

“I’m changing!” I yelped as one arm flew across my chest, trying to cover my breasts. The see-through fabric didn’t allow for imagination, especially my thong with the small triangle patch . . .Shit.

His gaze raked down my body, and I swore I felt it blush inch by inch.

“Do you mind waiting outside the door until I’m ready to see you?”

Remi stared at me with an intensity that tingled my skin. Sexual tension crackled in the air. My face and body heated with embarrassment as I shifted my feet, clad in my Jimmy Choo ankle strap pumps.

There was no use trying to cover up anything, so I dropped my arm to the side. This was me, the self-assured, capable, and desirable woman who respected her needs and emotions. If he didn’t want me, he didn’t deserve me. This moment was a revelation to him, symbolizing my bare emotions.

“Actually, I mind. I think you’re perfectly ready to see me now.” He stepped closer, hunger blazing in his eyes. His eyes skimmed down my body, igniting every cell and nerve ending awake. “I’ve imagined this moment many times. I have a photo of you wearing something like this from a magazine,” he muttered, pinning me with the aqua fire burning in his eyes. He had to be referring to the magazine spread I did for the lingerie boutique. That set had more coverage than the one I was wearing.

“How could you tell that was me? Kiera had made it artistic by blurring out my face.”

Remi stood inches from me, heat radiating off his body. His fingers grazed the light blue strap of my bra, and my nipples pebbled. His lips parted as his chest rose and fell with heavy breathing.

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