At the mention of Calista’s name Billy tore his face from the flashing screen. “I thought you liked her. You’re always talking about her or trying to hang out with her.”
Lena rolled her eyes. It figured that Billy would start talking if she mentioned Calista. She couldn’t understand what men saw in that woman. It’s not as if she was anything special.
“She’s okay. I just don’t like the pure, innocent image she puts on for the world. It would nice if someone took her down a notch or two.” She heard the jealousy in her voice, but couldn’t cover it up.
Now Billy actually sat up. “What are you talking about?”
“Nothing. We need to get going anyways. I’m all for making a grand entrance and I want to make sure we get there in time for the paparazzi.”
She needed to change the subject. So far she’d hidden her jealousy well. Calista Kingston had major star power, and it irked Lena that she was more popular. Not to mention that Aidan McIntyre forgot everyone else existed when Calista was around.
****
“Don’t forget, we’ll be watching you at all times. Nothing is going to happen to you,” Dane reminded Calista for what felt like the hundredth time.
Silently Calista wondered if he was trying to convince himself more than her. From the moment they’d arrived at Amber’s restaurant she’d been bombarded with photographers and journalists. Thankfully, Amber had let her know ahead of time that if someone wasn’t on the list, then they weren’t getting in.
Amber greeted the three of them in a dusky rose-colored floor-length dress split up one side to expose one of her long, lean, honey-colored legs.
“Wow, you’ve truly outdone yourself tonight.” Calista grinned at her friend.
“Hi, honey. Look who’s talking, you look pretty hot yourself.” Amber kissed Calista on the cheek, but gave the two men a cool once-over before turning her back on them.
Calista wasn’t surprised. Amber still hadn’t forgiven them for not protecting her before, despite Calista’s protests that it was her fault.
“Aidan and his friends are upstairs. Not to mention about twenty other people who regularly grace the cover of US Weekly. This is so great for business. I can’t believe he wanted to have the party here. Oh my god, am I talking too fast? I just can’t believe this is happening!” Amber beamed and linked arms with Calista.
“And why not? This is one of the most popular places in town.” Calista allowed herself to be guided upstairs.
“Calista!”
Calista turned in the direction of her name and waved. She looked up at the two men questioningly. “How is this going to work?”
“You mingle and we’ll be nearby. We won’t crowd you, but you know what to do if anything or anyone feels out of place.” Dane gave her a reassuring look, but she could see palpable concern in his eyes.
For some reason it surprised her. She viewed him as invincible. As she walked away, a strange sense of loneliness enveloped her. She wanted Dane by her side. For the first time since she’d met him she allowed herself to consider the possibility that what she felt for him was deeper than a physical need. It was crazy to think that he felt the same way. She couldn’t even consider anything until her stalker was put behind bars, but it gave her hope.
Instinctively she looked around for Sarah and Lexi, but it was in vain. Of course they’d both been invited, but she knew her friends well enough to realize they would stay as far away from an event like this if they could.
She started to turn back to find Dane when Aidan took her by surprise and lifted her off her feet in a staggering hug.
“I’m so glad to see you, baby,” he slurred, and pulled her too close for social comfort.
He grinned and she could smell the whiskey on his breath. His eyes were glassy, his words thick, and he seemed a little too wired. She didn’t think he did drugs, but in this industry nothing surprised her anymore.
“Of course.” She smiled, and took a small step back in an effort to gain some personal space. What was up with him calling her baby?
He looked around and threw a possessive arm around her shoulders. “This place is great. Thanks for recommending it.”
“No problem. The owner is actually a friend of mine, so I knew she’d take care of you.” Calista hadn’t told Amber that when Aidan had called her, he’d originally chosen another place for his party. Being a local, she convinced him that this place would ensure maximum privacy. In other words, no photographers.
“You look amazing, baby.” He took a step closer, and she was sure he was going to kiss her.
Before she could react, Dane interrupted them. His blue eyes spit fire and even though his look of death wasn’t directed at her, she squirmed a little underneath the heat.
“Honey, I brought you a drink.” Dane handed a glass of champagne to a relieved Calista and offered a hand to Aidan. Probably so that he had to remove his arm from Calista’s shoulder.
“I don’t think we’ve met. I’m Dane, Calista’s fiancé.” A storm was brewing in Dane’s icy blue eyes.
Calista hadn’t had a chance to sip her champagne, but she was quite sure that if she had, she’d have choked. She saw the unspoken challenge. Aidan would have to be blind or stupid if he didn’t see it.
“Fiancé huh?” Aidan’s eyes grew darker, but to his credit he shook Dane’s hand.
Calista eventually found her voice, surprised that she could even speak. “It’s all very sudden, Aidan. We haven’t really told anyone except family.” She wasn’t sure what Dane was playing at, but she trusted him enough to realize this must be part of his plan.
Or at least she hoped it was. If this was some half-ass proposal, he was delusional.
“Congratulations, Cal,” Aidan slurred, but he continued staring down Dane. “Wow, a bodyguard. That must be pretty lucrative.” There was no hiding the contempt in his voice.
“More than you would imagine.” Dane’s voice was low and casual, but there was an underlying threat that sent tingles to her toes.
She grabbed Dane’s arm and spoke quickly to Aidan as she tried to push Dane in the other direction. “I see Lena over there. I’m going to go say hi before she starts waving her arms around like a maniac.”
“Sure, sure, I’ll catch you later.” Aidan turned and walked back to the bar, but not before casting a disdainful look in Dane’s direction.
When she was sure he was out of ear shot she looked up at Dane in shock. “What the hell was that all about?”
Dane shrugged casually. “I didn’t like the way that guy was mauling you.”
She put a light hand on his arm and could feel the tension humming through his body, like a caged lion, waiting to unleash its fury. Heat emanated from his every pore.
“He’s drunk and harmless. Not to mention he has brown eyes. He couldn’t be my attacker.”
“You don’t know that. He could have worn lenses. Either way, I don’t care. I didn’t like the way he was touching you, so if you’re waiting for an apology, you’re not getting one.” Dane raised a mocking eyebrow, which only infuriated her more.
“What were you thinking? Now everyone here is going to think we’re together.” She looked over at the bar and noticed Aidan animatedly talking to one of Lena’s friends.
“Dammit!” She threw her hands up in annoyance, already envisioning tomorrow’s headlines. “That’s just great. Now it’s going to be all over the tabloids that I’m engaged and carrying your child or some other nonsense.”
Instead of looking apologetic, his lips curled up slightly, and the gleam in his eyes was unmistakable. At least he could pretend to be sorry. “Don’t you have anything to say?”
“You look beautiful tonight. I didn’t get a chance to tell you earlier, but you’re absolutely stunning.” He stepped back and took in her attire with genuine appreciation before possessively tracing his hands down her waist and pulling her against him.
Before she could respond, he leaned in and murmured seductively in her ear. “And you’ll look even better when that dress is at the foot of my bed.”
She smothered the smile trying to escape. The black, strapless, empire waist dress clung perfectly to her delicate frame and she knew it. It was her go to dress whenever she needed to feel her best and it hadn’t failed her yet. To top off the outfit she’d chosen three-and-half-inch black strappy heels to wear. This way she didn’t feel so dwarfed by Dane’s height.
“Don’t think that you can appease me with compliments.” She tried to sound irritated, but ended up laughing.
****
William grabbed another glass of the free-flowing champagne from one of the passing waiters. Engaged? To that nobody? That Neanderthal? It was all anyone at the party was talking about, and it was insulting. He hadn’t been able to decipher their relationship so far, but now that he knew what she’d been doing, he wanted to hurt her even worse than before. This entire time he thought she’d been living in fear. In reality, she’d been enjoying her prison by screwing her bodyguard. She really was a whore. This would not go unpunished. He finished another glass of champagne, not really tasting it. He wouldn’t allow her to ruin his night. There were plenty of trashy women at this party and convincing one to go home with him would be easy enough.
“I need a distraction,” he mumbled to himself.
****
Lena rolled her eyes at Aidan’s latest announcement. Calista engaged? There was no way. “Are you sure he said fiancé?”
“Yup, and she didn’t disagree with him,” Aidan slurred, and signaled to the bartender for another drink. He downed most of it before the man had turned his back.
“Well, good for her.” Lena pulled up a bar stool and sat as close to Aidan as humanly possible, without actually sitting in his lap. She glanced around and noticed Billy talking animatedly to a blonde who couldn’t be more than eighteen. She rolled her eyes again, then turned her attention back to Aidan.