Page 55 of Collide

“It was amazing. Thank you for arranging it.”

My cheeks warmed from his heated gaze and I started to pick theskin around my newly manicured nails discreetly under the table. I didn’t want to ruin my new perfect nails, but it was the only way I could deal with the nerves rampaging through me as I sat opposite the man.

I had spent the day in a spa. Not justanyspa either, but the best onein the city. It was incredible.

I’d been totally spoiled, enjoying a full body Swedish massage,exfoliated and moisturized to within an inch of my life, followed by a manicure, pedicure, and facial. I’d walked away glowing and feeling like a total princess, something I’d never experienced before, and it was all thanks to Kai.

I really was beginning to think he had undergone a personalitytransplant overnight.

“You’re welcome,” he replied, as he raked his gaze over my newhairstyle.

It was the first haircut I’d had in years, the stylist had wanted to cut itshort but I had been adamant that wasn’t going to happen, so we met in the middle. I kept the length, but she added lots of layers to it to get rid of all the split ends I’d accumulated over the years from not taking better care of my hair.

I struggled to meet Kai’s eye across the table, mainly because hewas looking more and more edible every time I peeked at him, and the tingly feeling that had started in my core when I first saw him had only grown. Especially as my mind kept conjuring up images of him from this morning wearing just those blasted gym shorts.

Tonight, he was wearing a very smart dark gray three-piece suit,complete with a crisp white shirt. For once, he’d left off the tie, leaving the top buttons open enough to see some of his impressive artwork creeping up his neck. His hair was swept back neatly instead of the messy look he usually wore.

I knew I was supposed to hate this man, but I couldn’t deny theattraction that was there, simmering underneath the surface, and didn’t that just leave me all sorts of confused.

After being pampered in the spa all day, I was whisked to a beautyparlor where I’d had my hair washed, cut and styled, and makeup done. I always thought I did my makeup well at Club Sin, but it wasnothingcompared to the classy but sultry look the makeup artist had given me. I was then given a gorgeous strapless red dress to wear that flauntedmy curves and flashed way too much thigh, along with matchingChristian Louboutinshoes to wear. I hadn’t questioned why I was being instructed to get all dolled up, I figured I’d find out soon enough.

Sure enough, I was brought to this restaurant where Kai was waitingfor me. He asked, yes,asked,if I would join him for dinner at the restaurant, all the while looking at me like I was the main course. While I couldn’t exactly say no seeing as I was dressed for the occasion, it meant something to me that he had asked, not just demanded.

And the way he had looked at me? Yeah that made me feel all sortsof crazy feelings deep in my belly.

“How was your day?” I asked in return, genuinely curious as to howthe most powerful man in the city spent his day. You know, when he wasn’t torturing people for information on his brother’s murder or peddling drugs to kids.

Kai momentarily looked surprised but gave me a small smile.

“It was fine, Riley,” he said with a hint of humor in his voice and asmirk on his lips.

I narrowed my eyes at him, irrational anger spiking at why he thoughtme asking how his day had been was funny.

“Why is that funny?” I huffed.

“Because I don’t think anyone haseverasked me how my day was,“he replied, stroking his hand down over his shirt and offering me a rare glimpse of vulnerability.

“Oh.”

I wasn’t sure what else to say. It was pretty sad no one inhis entire life had bothered to ask how he spent his days. Thankfully, the waiter chose that moment to enter the room before awkwardness could descend.

“Allow me to top up your drinks before dinner is served,” the youngwaiter said. He must have been a similar age to me, probably paying his way through college, and I’d bet my last dollar he knew he was going to be getting a big tip tonight so long as he did his job properly.

Neither of us said anything as the waiter made a show of taking thechampagne bottle out of the ice bucket and refilling our glasses.

I’d only drunk about half of my original glass, it was damn good stuff,but the girls at the spa had been giving me flutes of champagne all day and I had a nice buzz of alcohol flowing through my veins. I knew I shouldn’t drink too much more otherwise I’d end up either puking all down myself, or worse, giving in to the lust I was feeling for Kai and throwing myself at him, and I couldnotlet that happen.

Kai never took his eyes off me as the waiter filled our glasses andthen left the room, leaving us alone again. Nervously, I sipped my drink, appreciating the smooth taste of the champagne. I was by no means a wine or champagne connoisseur, but I knew a good bubbly when I tasted one.

“Tell me about your time growing up, Riley,” Kai said.

The question caught me off guard and I wondered why he’d want totalk about something as boring as my life.

“I thought you knew everything there was to know about me?” Isassed, giving him a flirty smile. The warm buzz of alcohol was making me brave and I already had a problem keeping words from falling out of my mouth around Kai. I wondered what it would take to get Kai to threaten to put me over his knee again.

What the heck was wrong with me?

Champagne, that was what was wrong with me. Definitely not theinsane attraction I felt toward the man sitting opposite me.

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