Page 18 of Touch in the Dark

He reaches out a hand to steady me and I stiffen. He lets go straight away, although not before his fingertips have trailed down my bare arm, making me shiver despite how hot his touch makes me. Then we get to staring at each other again. My hands flutter around, unsure what to do and his lip twitches slightly.

“You okay?”

“Guests aren’t supposed to be on this level,” I say, sounding semi-normal.

“The bathroom was occupied upstairs.”

I know that. “Well, here, this one is free now,” I move to step around him. I’m almost passed when he turns and reaches his hand out. He doesn’t touch me but it’s enough to make me stop and look up at him. Fucking hell, why does he have to be so damn gorgeous? It’s painful, he hurts my eyes, he should come with a warning.

“You look beautiful,” he says pulling me out of the trance I’ve gone into.

“Thank you,” I answer because that is the right way to respond, and I’m polite if nothing else. “That is a nice suit.”

He chuckles a little. “Els, I think we’re beyond small talk.”

I cross my arms, realising how standoffish that is and let them drop. He frowns, seeing I’m uncomfortable and takes a step back.

“I didn’t know you were working on movies now, that’s great.”

I shrug, it is great, and I can’t help but smile a little. I’m proud of myself and not even standing here in this empty hallway, with the guy I’ve still not had the balls to actually get over, can dampen being happy about all I’ve achieved in the last couple of years.

“Jenna said you have more of the same work coming up. She thought it might be in New York?”

I’ll kill her. For that, she’s my number one enemy. Forever more. "Nothing is confirmed yet, but I’m talking to some people, yeah.”

“So, you’ll be around more?”

“Busy though, I should imagine. They work long hours on movie sets, who knew,” I laugh. It sounds a touch manic even to my own ear.

“Well, I’m sure Jen will be glad to have you around a little more.”

Will you? I want to ask. I don’t. I clamp my lips together. He just gives me that look, the one that makes women want to rip off their panties and fling them at him. I’d never really understood that phenomenon, thought it was a cliché, but right then, I totally get it. Danger warnings flash in my head. Damn Chase is right, I’m horny. For something I can’t have.

“I better get back, enjoy the rest of the party.”

It’s a dismissal and he knows it. He gives me a rueful smile then turns and heads into the bathroom. I move away as the door closes but reach out a hand to steady myself against the wall. It’s stupid to think he will ever be mine, not in the way I want. My phone vibrates in my purse, it’s a text from Remi asking where I am.

Squaring my shoulders, I head back upstairs to the party. I find him straight away and he eyes me suspiciously, glancing at where Chase is talking with the director of the movie. Obviously knowing I’d left the room but not with Chase.

“I love you,” I tell him as I get right in front of him. “But I need to do this on my terms and as much as I appreciate the gift,” I finger the earrings. “Not this one… I need to move forward in my own way. I’m ready now.”

He glances behind me, and I turn to see Nick coming back up the stairs, he’s looking around and when a woman walks over, he smiles and starts talking to her. I straighten my back and look at Remi.

“Chase will be disappointed.”

“Chase will get laid by any woman here in a heartbeat,” I wave a hand. “I don’t think you need to worry about that.”

“It isn’t him I’m worried about,” he puts his arm around my waist and gives me a squeeze, as he stares right into my eyes. “You really mean it?”

I nod. If I don’t let it go, I’ll lose myself and I have no intention of letting that happen.

“Good girl.”

“I might have a bit of a praise kink, but not coming from you, mister.”

“Really, a praise kink?” he winks at me. “I think I can work with that.”

“No more set-ups. I mean it.”

---