“When Selena and I go out to the dance clubs in the city, we compete for the ‘most often dipped’ title,” Riley teased playfully while fixing his jacket lapels.
Her touch disturbed him, but he refrained from reacting. He was more interested in their dance club rivalry. Both looked at Selena and Melbourne, who danced close by. Selena sneered playfully at Riley then said something to Melbourne. He grinned and gracefully dipped her. Riley groaned softly and shook her head while attempting to hide her smile.
“We can beat her,” Riley said.
Kane appeared to consider the entire rivalry between them and eyed Selena, who now watched them with her brow playfully raised in challenge. Perhaps he could change the way she saw him by humoring Riley. A devious thought crossed his mind. He spun Riley, pulled her leg up to his hip, and dipped her daringly low. Riley appeared delighted while grinning. He pulled her back up and into his arms, holding her closer than he had intended. Riley laughed and clung to him in an almost seductive manner as her free hand rested on his chest. She stared into his eyes only inches from hers and grinned her approval.
“Now that’s how a real man dips.”
Kane laughed and for a moment forgot how much he wanted Riley dead. Both looked at Selena and Melbourne while continuing to dance slow and close. Selena said something to Melbourne. He laughed and shook his head. Selena looked at Riley and playfully frowned.
“I’ll hold that title for quite some time,” Riley informed him cheerfully.
Riley clung to Kane while they continued their slow dance. He was suddenly aware that her hand was still on his chest while dancing excessively close. He’d put himself in a position where he couldn’t possibly pull away without looking intentional. Kane uncertainly eyed Riley in his arms with her head nearly on his shoulder and felt her warm breath against his neck. It sent tingles down his spine. The whole situation was oddly strange. He then looked at Selena dancing with Melbourne only a few feet from them. Selena looked back at him and smiled almost seductively. It was the smile he’d been hoping to see. Kane returned the smile.
Chapter Fifteen
Hayes hurried into the lobby while seemingly out of breath and uncertainly straightened his tie. He grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing server and took a large swallow. He scanned the crowded room. His attention immediately focused on Kane and Riley molded together while dancing slow. He stared at them with a perplexed look, frowned, and took another swallow of champagne. A man in his late forties, Albert Mercer, approached Hayes and stared at the dance floor as well.
“You are one lucky man,” Albert informed Hayes while watching Riley dance with Kane.
Hayes looked at Albert standing alongside him. Albert was the sort of man most rich people considered wealthy. Nearly all his vacation homes made Hayes’ home look like a tin shack. Despite all his millions, he was considered the cheapest donator the museum had ever known. His hand tailored tuxedo and diamond studded watch screamed ‘rich guy here’. Despite being a little soft in the middle, he wore his expensive tuxedo well, but he wasn’t much to look at above the neck. His bad toupee seemed out of place considering his worth, and he was by no means an attractive man to begin with. He spent too much time on his clothing and jewelry and took little care of his personal hygiene. His eyebrows were excessively bushy for a middle-aged man, and the hair in his ears had grown out further than society standards permitted. The faint smell of body odor was barely noticeable over the excessive amount of expensive cologne he’d bathed in that evening.
“I have few complaints,” Hayes announced.
“Dr. Grant Melbourne,” Albert said while chuckling. “I don’t know how you pulled off that one.”
“I have connections,” Hayes remarked. “Have you had a chance to speak with Dr. Melbourne?”
“In great length,” he replied. “He’s very impressed with our little museum.”
Hayes seemed to cringe at Mercer’s comment. “We’ve done well for ourselves.”
“I think we should talk donations,” Albert said cheerfully and placed a hand on Hayes’ shoulder. “Dr. Melbourne believes the museum needs to expand. A new wing would bring a lot of needed attention to the museum and our community.”
“I agree completely.”
“I’m prepared to write a check for one million dollars tonight,” Albert announced while grinning at his own generosity.
“That would be most generous, Albert,” Hayes informed him while attempting to hold back his enthusiasm. Stroking Albert’s ego was unwise and often encouraged added conditions to his perceived generosity.
Albert removed his checkbook from his inner jacket pocket and grinned and he clicked his gold pen. “There is a small matter I’d like to discuss before I write this check.”
Hayes tensed but maintained his polite smile. The condition on his generosity was almost certainly about to surface. “Free lifetime admission to the museum? Consider it done.”
Albert chuckled and pointed his pen at Hayes while amused. “You’re funny, Hayes.” He started writing the check and cast a glance at Hayes. “There’s this banquet I’m attending tomorrow night, and I’d like Riley to accompany me.”
Hayes’ entire body suddenly stiffened as he stared at Albert. His expression indicated his thoughts. For a seemingly meek man, the look he gave Mercer was almost frightening. “I’m afraid that isn’t possible.”
Albert suddenly looked at him and closed his checkbook. “Oh? Why not?”
“I’m sure it’s an innocent request, but I would never ask Riley for that sort of favor,” he remarked while smiling despite his inability to blink and take his eyes off Albert. His resemblance at that moment to a psychotic serial killer was chilling.
Albert suddenly chuckled, mocking Hayes. Hayes twitched while glaring at him. The look in his eyes didn’t change, but Albert was clueless to it.
“You ask her for those sorts of favors all the time,” he announced. “Isn’t that why she’s dancing with Dr. Melbourne’s friend?”
“That’s different,” Hayes remarked and failed at sounding casual. “I brought her here, and I’m taking her home. Technically, she’s here with me. I suppose if I attended your banquet that would be acceptable.”
Albert’s look was stern and serious. “She doesn’t need a chaperone, and the whole point of taking her to the banquet would be so that I could take her home.”
Hayes didn’t take his eyes off Albert. His blue eyes seemingly changed color. “Are you suggesting a condition of your million dollar donation relies on Riley sleeping with you?”
“You’re a smart man, Hayes,” Albert remarked while grinning. “I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you.”
“Actually, I think you had to, Albert.” Hayes’ voice lowered considerably as the words snarled from his mouth. “Because if I’m going to punch you in the mouth, I want to make sure it wasn’t just a misunderstanding.”
Albert seemed moderately stunned by the comment and finally noticed the look he was receiving. “Do you have any idea how many women would line up for a chance to date someone of my wealth and influence?” he suddenly demanded. “I can have just about any woman I want. It would be to Riley’s benefit to cozy up to me.” Albert appeared sure of himself and even grinned. “Why don’t you ask her?”
“I suppose I could,” Hayes replied with little emotion. “But I’m not sure how you’d feel about her ripping your testicles off and shoving them up your ass, which is exactly what you can do with your donation.”
Despite Hayes’ low, conservative tone, several guests heard the comment and were now staring at them. Albert fidgeted and appeared uncomfortable.
“If you intend to stay, Mr. Mercer, you’ll conduct yourself in a proper manner,” Hayes remarked sternly. “If not, I’ll have security escort you off the premises and you’ll never be invited to another one of the museum fundraisers again. Quite frankly, you’re a cheap bastard who hasn’t given a single dime to our cause. We actually lose money by inviting you,
and I’m getting a little tired of you prancing around here acting as if you had anything to do with our success.”
More guests now stopped to watch the exchange and talked quietly among themselves. Albert saw the looks he was receiving and appeared even more uncomfortable.
Chapter Sixteen
Later that evening at the museum gala, Selena and Melbourne talked while Kane stood near them with the appearance of a third wheel. He stared at his drink between glares at Selena being charmed by the much older Dr. Melbourne. She laughed at all his jokes, even the bad ones, and occasionally touched his arm in mild flirtation. Casper had stolen Riley away and danced a slow song with her. He appeared to be in his glory while holding her closer than he should have. Riley seemed genuinely interested in his company and kept his attention on her throughout the dance. When Kane looked back, Melbourne was stealing Selena away for another dance as if he wasn’t even there. It wasn’t the evening with which Kane had hoped. Selena barely knew he existed while in the company of Dr. Melbourne, and he didn’t know if there was really anything he could do about it. She technically wasn’t his girlfriend. Hayes approached Kane and appeared unusually cheerful.
“Are you enjoying your evening?” Hayes asked.
“Regretting inviting Dr. Melbourne,” Kane muttered, took a large swallow of his drink, and maintained his death lock stare on his former professor.
Hayes looked to the dance floor and watched Selena and Melbourne slow dance while unusually close. Selena appeared particularly giddy in his arms. Kane glanced at Hayes as he stared at the couples slow dancing. There was a small blemish on Hayes’ neck beneath his shirt collar. Kane appeared curious and attempted to identify it, but Hayes was already looking back at him. Hayes offered a sympathetic smile.
“I’m afraid I can only do so much, but I may be able to help you on your quest for Selena,” Hayes announced simply. “We’re going to the sticks this week. Some quack survivalist believes he’s found ancient treasure. We’ll be staying at this romantic bed and breakfast for three nights. If you’re willing to hike and get your hands dirty, you’re welcome to come along. I promise you, Selena will be bored out of her mind.”
Kane stared at Hayes and immediately tensed to the words. As he stared at this man, he was suddenly reminded that Hayes was as much a ghost as Selena. In a matter of days, he would be dead if the past wasn’t altered. The ripple effect of his accident was ultimately Selena’s murder.
“Hiking, huh?” Kane said and felt a shiver down his spine. This was his opportunity to change Selena’s fate and Hayes was just handing it to him. “That’s a generous offer.”
Hayes snorted a laugh. “Generous is the donation I just received from a wealthy cheapskate because of Dr. Melbourne,” he announced. “I owe you.”
“I guess it pays to spill coffee on someone,” Kane remarked with a snicker.
Hayes grinned in response. Kane found Hayes very likeable and rather interesting. Saving his life suddenly seemed almost as important as saving Selena. Once the song ended, Riley and Casper approached them from the dance floor. She appeared annoyed at Hayes and glared demandingly at him.
“Where the hell were you?” Riley asked.
“Pimping donations,” Hayes replied and appeared a little surprised by the harshness of her tone. “You looked like you were enjoying yourself. I didn’t want to disturb you.”
Riley glared at him with piercing eyes then walked away. Hayes groaned softly and wasted no time hurrying after her. They were oddly reminiscing of an old married couple. Selena approached without Melbourne conspicuously at her side and watched Hayes hurrying across the lobby after Riley.
“What was that about?” Selena asked with a look of surprise.
“I’m going with a lover’s spat,” Casper replied.
Selena glared at Casper with irritation by the comment. “They’re not lovers,” she snapped.
“Maybe not, but that was definitely a lover’s spat,” Casper informed her with a cheap grin.
Selena folded her arms across her chest while glaring at Casper. The hostility was evident in her eyes. “Are you supposed to be the funny one?”
Casper appeared surprised by her tone. Most people found him funny. “Usually, yes, but in this case--”
“Maybe Riley doesn’t mind humoring you, but I don’t care for you,” Selena scoffed lowly and walked away from them.
Both men watched with surprise as she stormed across the lobby and vanished into the crowd. Her reaction seemed oddly off. Kane was painfully aware that Selena had abandoned him, and there was a good chance she wasn’t returning.
Casper glanced at Kane with all seriousness. “I have to say, your girlfriend is a bitch.”
Kane glared at Casper. He wanted to scold Casper for the remark, but she certainly had come across that way. He wondered what had gotten into her. Riley and Hayes were now seen dancing to a slow song on the dance floor. Obviously, whatever had happened had been ironed out rather quickly. Kane suddenly felt a pang of jealousy as he watched them dance. He was missing the closeness he shared with Selena, and it pained him that he couldn’t even touch the woman he loved and had just lost. The longer he watched the couple dance the more unbelievable it seemed that Hayes and Riley could be that close and not be lovers. He decided the rumors about them had to be true.
Casper lightly smacked him on the chest, snapping him out of his self-pity trance. “Let’s scope out the buffet,” he announced. “I’m starving.”
Kane frowned with a defeated sigh and walked with Casper to the massive row of buffet tables. The variety of finger foods was numerous and almost impossible to sample everything offered. Casper took one item from every tray, loading up his plate, and made the impossible a reality. Kane took a carrot stick and played with it rather than eat it.
“What’s wrong with me?” Kane finally asked.
Casper cast a glance at him while attempting to balance his loaded plate as he strategically placed more food on it. “Nothing, dude. You’re a great catch. You’re the right level of easygoing.” He cleverly raised a brow and grinned. “Women love a man they can walk all over.”
Kane glared at Casper as he stuffed a gourmet cracker into his mouth. Casper caught his glare.
“What?” he asked with his mouth full of cracker that sprayed out when he talked.
Kane rolled his eyes. Casper tried not to laugh. Jillian and Chrissie were at the opposite end of the buffet table and gossiped softly. Despite their lowered voices, Casper easily heard their conversation.
“I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t heard it for myself,” Jillian announced while gasping overdramatically. “Hayes actually threatened Albert Mercer.”
Casper suddenly became alert and nudged Kane. He gave a tiny nod to the women at the other end of the buffet table. Kane glanced at Chrissie and Jillian then looked at Casper and raised his shoulders in silent question. Casper secretly indicated the two with his eyes and raised his brows.
Kane rolled his eyes with disgust. “I hate playing charades with you,” he muttered.
“Hayes threatened someone named Mercer,” Casper informed him softly.
Both now paid attention to the conversation just a few tables away from them.
“What made him threaten Mercer?” Chrissie asked while playing with her empty champagne glass.
“Apparently, he made an indecent proposal involving Riley,” Jillian informed her while grinning deviously.
“For the right price, I’d sleep with the pig,” Chrissie scoffed while hiding her grin.
“I guess Mercer was so embarrassed because several people heard their conversation, that he gave Hayes a sizeable donation,” Jillian remarked and dramatically raised her brows. “I heard it had many zeros.”
“Not exactly a brilliant move on Hayes’ behalf,” Chrissie said with the concern evident in her eyes. “Doesn’t he know that guys like Mercer have men killed for less?”
“Might be a blessing in disguise,” Jillian said call
ously. “Maybe then they’d give his job to Collin. He should have gotten the curator job from the start.”
“You’re only saying that because Collin likes you,” Chrissie announced and gave her head a cocky tilt. “Then he’d fire Riley and hire you as his assistant.”
“Nothing wrong with that, is there?”
Chrissie considered then shrugged. “No, I suppose not. I’ve been thinking about cozying up to Collin myself. Even if he’s lousy in bed, I’m sure it’d be worth it.”
“If you were smart, you’d cut out the middleman and cozy up to Hayes instead,” Jillian teased.
She suddenly snorted a laugh and rolled her eyes. “Hayes only has eyes for Riley,” Chrissie scoffed while shifting uncomfortably and thumped her empty glass against her palm.
Jillian appeared stunned while staring at her friend. “No way! You didn’t, did you?”
Chrissie just frowned.
Jillian laughed while holding her chest. “Oh, my God, you threw yourself at Hayes?” She suddenly became wildly curious and grinned. “What happened? Details, girl!”
Chrissie’s face turned several shades of red, and she attempted to avoid the conversation. “What do you think happened? The guy’s so dense, I had to practically spell it out for him,” she remarked. “Then when I did, he shot me down and threatened my job if I ever came on to him again.”
“I’d think you’d learn from the mistakes of others,” Jillian teased while attempting to keep from giggling at her friend’s obvious embarrassment.
Chrissie rolled her eyes. Both women walked away. Casper looked at Kane and shook his head.
“Your boy isn’t exactly popular,” Casper remarked. “I’m surprised he lived long enough to have an accident. Sounds like half the employees want to kill the boss.”
“Unfortunately, none of this has anything to do with Riley blaming Selena for the accident,” Kane remarked then frowned and looked around the lobby. “I need to find Selena and see if I can salvage some of this evening. I can’t believe how badly tonight has gone.” There wasn’t any sign of Selena within the crowded lobby. She successfully vanished. Kane groaned and ran his fingers through his hair with disgust. “Damn it, I don’t see her anywhere. You don’t suppose she left, do you?”
Death Displacement: A time travel romantic thriller Page 8
