It turns out it’s Justice’s thirtieth birthday and that the party is as unpredictable as I first suspected. One guy, who’s supposedly a celebrity chef, laments on every Justice party he’s been to. How crazy things get, how little the women wear and how the servers are usually slinging shots and pills rather than champagne and vintage wine.
A very tall blond in an extremely short red skirt and curve hugging black top, places a hand on my thigh.
“I’ve been to everyone of his parties too and I swear he must be trying to class it up this year, but I’m not sure why. I mean, let’s face it, Justice is no Eminem. If it weren’t for his looks and his epic parties, there’d be no reason for half the world to follow him around like he’s some kind of savior.”
Dina cuts the blond a look and she mirrors it dagger for dagger. The two seem to have some type of unspoken rivalry. Every time she touches me, Dina scoots closer and every time she does, the blond asks me a random question that requires her full attention.
“So who are you hoping to sign with, Ray?” Her hand snakes up my arm this time and I swallow the lump in my throat.
“Uh, I don’t know. I’m not really thinking about it. I mean, I’m trying not to. Whatever happens happens, you know?”
She licks her lips, her expression growing stony as Dina hand squeezes my knee. “Dina, where is Justice? Are you two still—?”
My fiery haired acquaintance waves her hand. “Please, Rochelle. You know he always shows up when the party’s almost over.” She focuses on me again. “He likes to make a grand entrance.”
“Speaking of half-naked girls,” the chef cuts in.
For a moment I’m completely confused, but as I follow his gaze, I quickly get his meaning.
In the nauseating sea of dark and bright something suddenly stands out. It’s just a flicker at first, but as I squint doing my best to bring it into focus, my heart nearly stops once I do.
She’s nothing like what I’ve been staring at for the past thirty-minutes. Slight and unassuming, she’d probably blend into the nearest wall if it weren’t for that dress.
That dress.
It’s not red. Or black. It’s the same peachy color as her skin. And it hangs off her in some areas while, hugging her in all the other right places.
A spill of dark waves, hangs over one shoulder and even though she’s not obnoxiously tall she could give Rochelle a run for her money with those legs. She’s talking to one of the servers and fiddling with the front of her dress.
“Didn’t she get the memo?” some girl asks.
I don’t have a clue who because the only person I can see right now is the one that, in the most demure shade, has suddenly made this red and black night that much more interesting.
CHAPTER THREE
Sydney
“I told you,” my friend Marx whispers. “Everyone’s staring.”
I shrug. “I don’t do red and that black dress you tried to squeeze me into…” I focus on Ronnie. “Strapless? Really? You should know me better than that by now. Besides this isn’t so bad.” I smooth the front of the sheer gown and adjust the plunging neckline. Frowning, I add, “Well, except for this part.”
“You look hot, Syd. I’m not arguing that—especially with all that cleavage. ” Marx wiggles both eyebrows and rubs his arm when Ronnie nudges him hard. “But you also kinda look like a rebel.”
The dress is one of only three in Reese’s closet I was willing to try on and that actually fit. It’s a creamy nude color that, at first glance, almost makes me appear naked. At least it would if it was skin-tight like half the dresses in here. But it’s drapey, albeit revealing. Spaghetti straps, thin fabric, belly-button-low neckline and a skirt that only meets my mid thigh. It’s definitely risqué but it’s also comfortable and totally me. If I frequented these kinds of things. Or dressed up at all. Ever.
I run a hand through my loosely curled hair and take deep breath.
“I am a rebel,” I say.
Ronnie rolls her eyes. “Reese may have done a lot of good for you, but she’s a bad influence too. This has her insubordination written all over it. Just go find your football player and do the thing you Buccos do so well.” She sighs and pulls out a clipboard before pressing two fingers against her earpiece. “And Marx get back to work and you guys better not cause me any grief tonight. No liquor. I’m serious.”
He waves her off and straightens his red tie before leaning in close to me. “Okay so you know how this works. You get dirt, you share and anytime you need me, I’m at your disposal.”
“I’m pretty sure we’re even,” I snicker. “Don’t forget I convinced Ronnie to drive you home.” I glance away for a split second before clasping both hands in front of him in a silent plea. “Besides,” I continue. “You’re the one working here. Why not listen in on the occasional conversation. I’m sure you’ll pick something up. ”
“Syd, come on. Shit always goes down at a Justice party. And Ronnie’s going to be on my ass tonight. I’m not going have time. Just keep your ears and eyes open. I haven’t gotten a nice check in a while. I need something big.”
“Then why the hell did you move to Seattle?”
“Because athletes are more interesting than actors and my sister’s a selfish bitch.” His full lips turn down into a frown and he blinks a pair of cocoa brown eyes.
I shake my head and snatch up a glass of from passing tray. “I can’t help you tonight. I’ve got crap of my own to worry about. But the next time I get invited to a Grammy-winning rapper’s party you’ll be the first one I text.”
“One thing,” he calls after me as I walk away. “Anything. Come on! You’re supposed to be my girl!”
I chuckle at the sound of Ronnie hissing his name. He really needs to grow up and get a real job. Celebrity stalking may pay off in Hollywood, but he’s a long ways away from home.
I take several gulps of my drink then scan the crowd. As the seconds pass, I realize just how naked I really feel. Everyone seems to be staring. And I can’t tell if it’s a good or bad thing. Most likely bad considering my choice of dress, but I’ve garnered some appreciative ogles in the past few seconds. Plus, Ronnie did say the dress code was optional. It’s not like I’m going to get kicked out or something.
But still, showing up to this thing with the caterer and my buddy who works for her was a stupid idea. Neither Marx or Ronnie will have time to keep me company in this foreign land. I’ll pretty much be left to twiddle my thumbs on my own all night long. In a dress that makes me stand out like a sore thumb. I grab another passing glass of liquid courage and weave my way to the bathroom. Just as I’m about to enter, someone grabs me by the arm.
“It’s him. He’s here.” Ronnie takes my glass and gives me a little shove in the opposite direction. “Go. And no more alcohol. Put your game face on, Sydney.” She turns me around to face her, whipping me so fast my head swims. “Are you sure you’re not drunk?”
I laugh. “You sound like Reese.”
Ronnie crosses her arms.
“I’m not drunk. You know I don’t fall that easily.”
“You also don’t normally drink bourbon by the gallon.”
“I’m fine.”
She sighs. “You sounded like shit this afternoon. I just don’t want you to mess things up. This could be your last chance.” She tucks my hair behind my ear. “Look, according to Reese, Ray is notoriously bad in social situations. Well, no not really. He’s just…he doesn’t really do these kinds of things. He needs a buffer. She’s done it on a few occasions. Now it’s your turn.”
“And by the looks of things,” an amused voice says from behind me. “You’d better get in there fast. Dina Prince is here.”
Ronnie glares and I turn around to face my friend.
“Just giving her a friendly warning,” Marx replies, his hands up in defense. “That’s Justice’s Dina Prince.”
I peer behind him. “The drama queen, Dina Prince?”
He nods. “And if she’s cozied
up with Ray it means Justice isn’t here yet, but once he gets here and finds his girl flirting with some asshole at his own party it won’t be pretty.”
“But Ray’s not that kind of—”
“Just trust me. Okay? I’ve worked enough of his parties to watch this stuff go down front row center. And StingRay?” Marx laughs a little. “He is so in over his head it’s not even funny. This is going to be good.”
“Marx, go back to work.”
He smirks, than hands me another drink before making his way back out into the crowd.
Ronnie grips my face and turns me to face her again. “This is exactly why he needs someone like you in his corner. You know the guy has gone to all of two parties in the last year? One was a charity event for the children’s hospital. He probably doesn’t even have a clue who she is.”
I shake my head. “So what exactly am I supposed to do?”
“Whatever it is you agents do. Just get in there and send trouble away. The last thing a guy like Ray needs is that kind of attention.” She hugs herself, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinizes the scene behind me. “I don’t know what Joe sees in her. Every party. Every time. He really needs to move on. Just go get the poor kid out of there before he becomes Marx’s next headline.” She gives me another little shove and before I know it, I’m headed in their direction taking my glass of red for the road.
This isn’t exactly what I had in mind. I’ll admit I imagined a dark corner and doing what Ronnie said, making him comfortable, getting him happy enough to agree to sign the papers. But this is more like being tossed into the lion’s den.
Dina Prince is notorious in the gossip circuit: flirty, catty, full of trouble and plastered on the front of pretty much every smut feature on a regular basis. She’s prime rib for guys like Marx. He always says a story about her could pay his rent for a year.
And there’s definitely a story whenever this girl’s around. Despite the fact she’s been dating Justice since before he was even a blip on the megastar radar, in the last year Dina’s been caught on camera nearly every week with one guy or another. Sometimes two. Drama always ensues in the form of Justice trying to kick said guy’s ass. Considering he’s a former Heavy Weight Champion, it’s not like he hasn’t succeeded on a few occasions either. Not that I’m worried Ray couldn’t take him, but like Ronnie says he really doesn’t need that kind of attention right now. Maybe I can’t prove myself as an agent, but I might be valuable as his publicist for one night. And he just might owe me.
His eyes are on me as I approach. Everyone in the little group is staring at me and for a split second I consider running in the opposite direction. Instead, I take another gulp of wine and do my best to catwalk my way over.
Dina’s eyes immediately narrow once we’re nearly face-to-face. “Can I help you?” Her gaze drifts across the length of my body and a small smirk plays on her lips. “You do know this is the VIP section, right? And that this party was invite only? Hence the dress code.”
“I was invited. And I was told the dress code was optional,” I say, glancing over at Ray.
I don’t have to look far. Dina’s hands are all over him. One on his arm the other on his shoulder, her fingers brushing across his neck.
“I mean by someone other than the help.”
“Oh you mean, Ronnie?” I stab my thumb over my shoulder. “She’s my cousin’s best friend and, if I’m not mistaken, a long time buddy of your boyfriend. You do have a boyfriend, don’t you?” I stare pointedly at the hand on Ray’s shoulder, smiling when her straying fingers freeze. “Is Justice here yet?”
“Do I even know you?” Dina asks, her hands find her hips as she leans in closer to me.
I twist my mouth to the side and glance upwards. “I don’t think so. But I’ve heard all about you.”
She snickers and curls her fingers around the back of Ray’s neck. His gaze is dancing between the two of us and in that moment I know Ronnie’s right. He doesn’t have a clue what’s going on.
“Oh, shit,” someone mutters behind me. “Incoming.”
It’s like watching a morbid truth unravel before your eyes. The way she glances over my shoulder. How her hands continue to roam over Ray’s body. The smile behind her eyes and the sneer her mouth and nose form.
Ray frowns and I follow Dina’s gaze toward the blue-eyed, muscle-head, rapper flouncing toward us. She gets all Cheshire and I suddenly want to scratch her eyes out. No wonder this woman brings the drama wherever she goes. She practically begs for it.
But instead of wrapping my fingers around her bony little neck, I give her a little shove, and wedge myself in between her and Ray.
“Hey!”
Showing Dina my back, I smile up at him. “Sorry I’m late.” I can’t stop the shiver that runs through me when I rake my fingers through his thick dark hair.
Ray’s frown deepens and the girl laughs.
“Really? I’m supposed to believe trash like you can hook a guy like this?”
I’m not sure what constitutes trash in her world. But if she spends as much time staring in the mirror as I imagine she does, I can guess she wouldn’t have to look too far to identify it.
“Just go with it, okay?” I whisper as I stare up into his aquatic blues.
“With what? Who are you? I don’t—”
I grab ahold of his collar and his brow softens a bit. Just enough to give me the courage to help me make up my mind. To decide between what my body is now craving and my mind is telling me is the most logical move.
Maybe Ronnie’s right. Maybe I am drunk. It wouldn’t be the first time. It’s just been a long time.
“What the hell’s going on here?” a voice growls behind me.
I don’t bother to acknowledge it, I keep my focus on Ray’s wide eyes and before he can say another word, I make my move.
CHAPTER FOUR
Ray
She tugs on me until I’m flush against her and reaches up to pull my head even closer to hers. “Just shut up and let me handle this,” she murmurs in my ear. “We’ll both be better off.”
Before I can respond her lips are on mine. But not just her lips, her tongue, her hands, her…everything. She’s probing at the seam of my mouth, her fingers tangling in my hair, her knee rubbing against the inside of my leg. My eyes are wide open, so I close them doing my best to follow her lead. I open my mouth and, almost immediately, her tongue brushes mine. She tastes like some kind of sweet liquor and while it’d usually be grounds to get out of a situation like this as quickly as possible, I kind of like it. I’m kind of thinking I could get drunk off it.
I suddenly realize my hands are idle. I’m not selling this thing at all, but the way I’m feeling, it won’t take too much pretending. Without much thought, I settle them on her waist digging into the flimsy fabric that hangs from her hips, my fingers pressing into the exposed skin just above it. She flinches a little so I let up. In response, she yanks me even closer, her teeth bearing down on my bottom lip.
My knees go weak and a throbbing just little bit higher begins. Her mouth is so warm, her skin so soft, I can’t stop the groan and before I know it her moans are vibrating against mine. I’ve never kissed anyone like this before. I didn’t even know it was possible for a kiss to make your body react this way. I could live in this moment forever. This is definitely a sock on the door kind of moment. Only there is no door, we’re standing in a room full of people and—
“Jesus,” someone says. “We get it. You’re hot for each other. I was only being friendly.”
And just like that she pulls away and I work hard not to stagger backwards. I clear my throat and offer a polite nod. “Thanks. I guess?” I mutter as Dina walks off to meet the guest of honor.
He says something to her, his eyes flashing but I can’t be bothered to make it out. My eyes may be focused on them for this fraction of a second but every other part of my body is tuned into the brunette standing in front of me.
“You’re welcome,” she says and I give
her my full attention. “You looked like you needed a little rescuing.”
I lick my lips. “Uh, yeah. I mean, I don’t know. Like she said she was just being friendly.”
“She is Justice’s girlfriend. Known for drinking too much and hooking up with the wrong guys at the right time. I was definitely doing you a favor. Justice doesn’t take kindly to cheating. I saved you a National Enquirer exclusive.” She smiles and shakes her head. “I imagine most guys are smart enough to run in the other direction when she comes. But you’re not most guys are you?”
“Are you saying I’m stupid?”
“No.” She laughs a little then clears her throat.
I shrug. “I don’t know who half these people are. I only came here because my friend’s leaving town soon. And I needed to get out of the house for a few.”
“Well, it’s good to see you don’t spend all your time tied to those apron strings.”
“What was that?”
She presses her lips together and gives her head a quick shake. “Nothing.”
“Are you implying I’m a mama’s boy?”
She sighs. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. It’s just…you don’t exactly come off as…I don’t know. I think I had too much to drink and—god, that was stupid. I’m sorry I kissed you. I mean I’m not sorry I—okay, Ronnie was right. I’m definitely drunk.” She squeezes her eyes closed. “Which I probably shouldn’t have confessed to you just now. You’re just too nice for you own good Ray Carlson. You shouldn’t trust just anyone. I mean that. Especially now.”
She turns to go, but I grab her arm. “Wait. You know my name but I don’t get to know yours?”
She glances down at my hand and raises an eyebrow. “I don’t know whether to be impressed or offended.”
Blitz (Emerald City/Black Family Saga Book 1) Page 3
