Page 67 of Collide

Poor Hannah had tried to make conversation with me but after onlygetting grunts and one-word answers, she gave up and focused on the task at hand.I hated to admit it, but she’d done an excellent job. If I were in hershoes, I would have made my face up to resemble that of a clown. But then, she probably valued her life.

Hannah had done something amazing with my hair which was now tiedup in an elegant braid, with several curled strands hanging down around my shoulders, and a beautiful ornamental clip holding it all together. My makeup was classy and natural but she’d used a vibrant shade ofred lipstick which made my lips pop.

The black velvet mermaid dress was out of this world. It wasstrapless, and the bodice, which had a V shape dip between my breasts, fit snugly against my curves, accentuating my hourglass figure. It was tight against my hips and thighs but flared out as it got lower to the floor. Up the left-hand side of the skirt was a split that went as high up as my thigh allowing me to show off the five inch silver stiletto sandals I had on.

The dress resembled Jessica Rabbit’s dress only in black, andobviously looked better on her, ‘cos let's face it, she’s a total babe.

It didn’t matter how much Hannah harped on about how beautiful Ilooked, or how much I did indeed feel like a million dollars, I was still in a foul mood, only exacerbated by the thought of having to spend the evening with Kai.

The prick.

I met him in the foyer where he was dressed in a black tuxedo,complete with a bowtie. He looked fuckingdivinewhich only angered me more, it was no wonder he had a harem of women eating out of the palm of his hand.

Not reading my mood, he gave me a dazzling smile that faltered assoon as he was met with a scowl.

“Riley, you look beautiful,” he said as I reached him and he leaneddown to kiss my cheek. His lips brushed softly against my skin sending tingles all through me. I tried not to react to his touch, but my traitorous body was not in tune with my brain and I shivered.

“Thanks,” I replied glumly, not meeting his eyes. He frowned at meand opened his mouth to say something, but footsteps behind him stopped whatever he was about to say.My mood soured further when Hendrix, Miles, and Danny, all dressedin tuxes joined us, evidently coming with us tonight.

The men exchanged small talk about what weapons they hadconcealed on them. I tuned out of the conversation, not really giving a shit about who carried what. They made it sound like it was a competition as to who had the biggest balls, for fuck sake.My eyes found Hendrix who was smirking at me and I was just aboutto fake a migraine and tell Kai I couldn’t come when he grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the open elevator.

Hendrix, Miles, and Danny piled in behind us and as the doors slidclosed, I found myself wedged between Kai and Hendrix.

Just my fucking luck.

A heavy atmosphere filled the small space. I had no doubt it was fromthe tension vibrating from me, my whole body rigid with anger, and I refused to make eye contact with any of them in the mirrors surrounding the elevator. Kai glowered at me, quietly seething at me and my attitude. Like Igave a fuck.

When the elevator stopped at the parking level, Kai once againgrabbed my hand and marched me to the waiting Rolls Royce. As I got in, Hendrix, Miles, and Danny got into a black SUV behind us. I breathed a sigh of relief knowing I would have at least a little bit of respite from Hendrix for the journey.

It was a shame the same couldn’t be said about Kai.

“You okay, Riley?” Kai asked tersely after we started making our waythrough the city.

“Fine,” I replied nonchalantly, not looking away from the window.

He’d taken to holding my hand any time we went out in the car, buttonight, I kept my hands folded neatly in my lap.

“Riley,” Kai growled, like actually growled my name, and if it wasn’t sointimidating, it would have been a complete turn on.

I turned my gaze away from the passing city to look at him. He wasmad, in fact, that was putting it lightly. He looked murderous.

“What the fuck is going on with you?”

“Nothing, Kai. I told you, I’m fine,” I snapped back.

Shit.

Brain to mouth malfunction. I needed to remember not to snap at amurdering bastard.

He stared at me intently for a minute, holding my gaze with hisnarrowed eyes. With anyone else, I would have held my nerve, but with Kai, I lost my lady balls and looked away, going back to staring aimlessly out the window.He didn’t speak again but spent the rest of the journey gawking atme like I was some sort of creature who had sprouted a third tit.

All too soon, we were pulling up outside City Hall where throngs ofglamorous people gathered on the red carpet that led up the stairs into the old building.

Frank, who I’d come to learn was Kai’s personal driver, opened thedoor and Kai stepped out. He offered me his hand to help me, but being the stubborn bitch I am, I ignored him and pulled myself out of the car as gracefully as I could. Kai’s features twisted with rage at my ignorance, steam practically bellowing from his ears.

Maybe one of the girls from his club could calm him down.

The other three got out of the SUV and started making their waytowards the stairs. I turned to follow, but Kai grabbed my arm, pushed me back against the car, and stepped in, so close our chests were pressed together.His cologne hit me, he was wearing the one that sent my hormonesinto overdrive and tonight was no different, the scent was so alluring that heat flooded my core. He was downright intoxicating.

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