Safer With You (28 page)

I’m starting to become aggravated at the situation. There is absolutely no reason for me to be here with him instead of Jase. I did promise to attend with him, but so what? He’s promised me a lot of things, too.

A thought nags at me. What if there is another reason Jase didn’t want to take me tonight? Maybe he doesn’t want people to see us a couple? Maybe I’m overreacting.

As we approach the hotel, a swarm of photographers greet us. At other events, there were a few photographers roaming around, but this is full on celebrity status. The chanting of “Mr. Malone look here!” confuses me, but I brush it aside. I guess they don’t realize Luke’s last name isn’t Malone.

We stop and pose for photographers.

Luke’s arm is protectively tight around my waist. I feel like rolling my eyes, but I know if I do it will remain in print for eternity. (Ah, the paparazzi!) I used to look forward to these events at one time. It made me feel good to receive attention from others, but right now my stomach is unsettled from keeping up this facade.

I find myself looking around for familiar faces, one in particular. I’m anxious to see him. I wonder what he will think of my gown, my hair, and even my bra and panties that I wore especially for him.

As we approach the lobby, Max and Jenny are casually speaking with an unfamiliar couple. Luke whispers in my ear, “Don’t leave my side unless you let me know first.”

Confusion radiates from my pores. My arm is threaded through his, and as we get closer to our destination, his grasp becomes tighter. He stops mid-stride and regards me with a serious expression, “Understood?”

Stunned, I just nod. What the hell is this all about?

Max smiles, “Nora, you look gorgeous.” He kisses my cheek. I catch a glimpse in the window of Tucker situated behind me. Luke’s wearing a suspicious grin. I feel like I’m missing something. Within a few seconds, the tension in the room is radiating.

Jenny breaks into my reverie. “Let’s go get a drink.”

Luke shakes his head and glares at me.

Jenny stops mid-yank, and mouths, “
Really?
”

I shrug back because I’m not sure either, but I have a bad feeling deep in the pit of my belly that if I don’t find Jase soon, things are about to get worse.

Max pulls Jenny by the elbow and ignores what’s just transpired.
Weird?

I turn my attention to the stunning ballroom. The table tops are adorned with beautiful bouquets of flowers in hues of red, white, and blue. There are delicate table cloths and white chair covers are tied with stars and stripes bows. The glasses and silverware shine to perfection, glistening under the bright lights.

I soak in the atmosphere. It seems very formal, uptight even. I recognize some of Luke’s family members. I’ve never been very close to anyone in his family. I would see his cousin Zack often because of the business, but he rarely spoke to me, and when he did, we only exchanged pleasantries.

Watching Luke talk and kiss ass has always been somewhat entertaining, but now I find it downright pathetic. The way you have to schmooze people in order to get money is making my stomach quake.

Senator Malone’s wife, Mildred, walks in our direction. She’s decked out in a boring black gown with puffy sleeves and a large purple-stoned necklace. Her hair is as boring as her outfit…short, straight grey hair with bangs.

Next to the senator, she looks homely. I’ve never seen the woman smile, and as she talks to Luke, this remains true.
 

Senator Malone is an extremely handsome man. He is always wearing a suit and has salt and pepper wavy hair, a matching beard, and light eyes. Luke has said in the past that his uncle has had many women over the years, and since he’s been married for thirty-five years, I assume that means he’s cheated on his wife.

Luke is babbling about the weather as Senator Malone approaches. I’ve met him a few times, but I’ve never really spoken with him. For some reason, he makes me feel uneasy. Like Luke’s cousin, Zack. There’s something off.

To my surprise, when I put my hand out to shake Senator Malone’s, he kisses it instead of shaking. He seems to leer at me as he speaks. “Nora, I’m so glad you are here.”

I immediately yank my hand from his and place it behind my back, so he has no chance of touching it again. He honestly gives me the creeps. I don’t know if it’s the cheating thing, his sometimes ugly reputation or what, but I’m over this conversation.

As I look up to the entrance to distract myself, my body chills, like ice has just replaced my blood.

“Are you alright?” Luke leans his head and asks quietly.

I divert my eyes quickly and try to swallow. “Yes, I’m fine.”

Luke’s eyes dart over to where mine have been. Jase is standing at the entrance with a beautiful blonde bombshell, wearing a sexy ruby red dress revealing a ton of cleavage, along with a slit with a leg that goes on forever. The woman is grinning like a Cheshire kitten, looking up at Jase.

He is smiling as though he is equally enthralled with her…portraying his charismatic Madsyn persona.

I’m either going to faint or be sick. I never imagined he would bring a date with him—especially not one who’s so gorgeous and complements his perfection.
 

Luke whispers in my ear. “Looks like they’re back together. Have you met Samantha? You’re going to love her.” A smug smile extends across his face.

“We’ve already met.” My eyes glare in her direction.

Why on earth is she his date? Even if he has to do this for
his job,
he should have at least prepared me.

My nerves are coming undone. Jase hasn’t acknowledged me yet. He’s looked in my direction, but not once has he acknowledged I’m here.

Luke must be reading my mind because he takes that moment to wave at Jase. But Jase doesn’t return the gesture.

That’s it; I’m done. I try and come up with an escape plan, but as I’m trying to concentrate, Jase stares my way as if he doesn’t even see me. Now, he moves to a group of people and starts holding a conversation without even a slight nod in my direction.

Luke’s hands are still gripping mine, holding me down like a vise. I need to get away. Now. I start panicking; I can’t stand his touch any longer. I yank my hand as hard as I can from his grasp, spilling his drink in his other hand. I’m still attached, even after a second effort.

“What?” he asks, annoyed.

“I need to use the ladies room.” He pauses and I plead, “Please, it’s an emergency.”

“I’ll escort you.”

Fine. What is everyone’s problem tonight? Unfortunately, Jase is standing near the restrooms with his new found fans. I walk quickly past him and make no effort to acknowledge him. “Stupid naive Nora,” I whisper.

Apparently, he did have another reason not to come with me tonight. Samantha.

My legs feel like they’re going to break and crumble underneath me. My hands are trembling.
A few more seconds, just a few more steps.

Finally, I reach the narrow hallway. Luke still has a tight grasp on me. It’s probably the only thing keeping me afloat right now.

As I open the door, he informs me, “I’ll be right out here.”

Luckily, Jenny is standing in front of the doorway ready to exit, but stops when she sees it’s me.
 

“Luke, let the woman pee in peace. You act like such a caveman sometimes,” Jenny says with a smart ass sweet smile.

Jenny yanks my hand and whisks me through the door. “What the hell is going on? Are you alright?”

I nod, but find myself hunched over grabbing my stomach. Taking deep breaths is the only thing keeping me from hitting the ground. Jenny drags me over to a bench against the far wall of the sitting room off the bathroom.

“Jase…his date…is Samantha.” My breathing is sporadic, and I can barely get the words out.

Jenny’s face contorts with shock.

“What? That must be a mistake. He’s supposed to be with you.”

I sigh loudly; my voice seems to be returning.

“I know, but he’s here with her and she’s all over him and he hasn’t looked at me once.”

“There has to be an explanation. I know for a fact he has no feelings for her. Something is off tonight.”

My curiosity is peaked. She must notice it too.

“Any idea why?” I ask.

“No. But Max has been weird all night. Quiet, with this look on his face I’ve not seen before. Reminds me of Jase, though.”

My head rests against my hands. Only shaky elbows support me. “Jenny, just give me a few minutes. It’s too much. Jase with her, and Luke literally not letting go of me. It’s all too much.”

She concedes. “Okay, fine, but I’m waiting outside in the hallway for you.”

“Jenny, I’m okay. Really. Just overreacting. I’m being a stupid girl. There has to be a reasonable explanation.”

Jenny moves her hair to cover her shoulder and waves the white flag in defeat. “I’ll find Max, but we won’t be far.”

I calm down more as I concentrate on the quiet melody of a flute that’s floating through the room. Just as I’m getting the nerve to go back out there, the door flies open dramatically and the blonde bombshell waltzes in.

“Oh, dear, you look pale. Are you alright?” Samantha says so sweetly, I can almost taste it.
 

I count to three and stand up, resisting the urge to choke her. I straighten the flowing satin as I stand.
 

I look the nasty bitch in the face. “Did you hear the good news? I’m engaged. I’m going to be Mrs. Jase Madsyn very soon.” She holds out her hand for me to shake, but I’d rather break it.

I don’t acknowledge her gesture. Two can play this game.

“I’m sorry, I’ve spent some time with Jase recently, and I only recall him saying he was relieved that the engagement was over.”

The cocky smile on her face vanishes. “Well, we did take a break, but recently reconciled.”

“How recently?”
 

“This afternoon. Look at this gorgeous diamond he put back on my finger.” Her smug smile returns, while she shoves a huge rock under my nose.

There has to be an explanation. Would he really take her back after everything he’s told me? Of course he would, because I’m Nora the Doormat. Bastard didn’t even have the common decency to acknowledge me tonight. The more I look at Samantha’s beautifully ugly face, the more I want to run.

“If you’ll excuse me, I need to return to my date.” I turn quickly and head out the door to the hallway, leaving a chuckling Samantha behind.

I am so furious, I could just kill him. I’m not watching where I’m going and as I slam into a hard wall of muscle, a familiar scent washes over me.

“Nora! Are you okay?” Jase tears us apart and asks cautiously.

This is it. The fire inside me is ready to explode and Jase is my target.

“Oh, you’re suddenly concerned about me?” I shout at him.

“Keep your voice down; Luke will hear,” he whispers loudly.

“So? …he is my date tonight. Just like I told you he would be. Just like we agreed upon. I just had the privilege to meet your date, though. Your fiancée. Samantha.” Her name comes out of my mouth like a swear word.

He grabs me by the elbow and yanks me closer to him. “Quiet,” he commands.

Before I have a chance to say anything or fight back, he whisks me out of the hallway into a dark room, slamming and locking the door behind us.

I’m still trying to catch my bearings when he lifts me on top of something. A table? Before I can comprehend anything else, his lips crash onto mine. His strong hands are still holding me while I thrash around trying to break loose.

For the first time, I don’t want him touching me. I’m not interested in his excuses, either.

He rips his lips from mine, “Stop fighting me!”

“No!” I bite back.

“Nora, please just listen to me. It’s a business deal. Like I told you.” His voice pleads.

I stop struggling, only to give him a chance to come up with another ridiculous story.

“It doesn’t look like a business deal, and Samantha showed me her engagement ring. You were all smiles and sunshine and…and didn’t even say hello to me.” My breathing is erratic.

He grabs my face between his hands and holds my head still. Jase hunches down to look into my eyes. There is a small nightlight coming from somewhere, so I can see the concern and fear in his eyes.

“I don’t want her; I want you. Why can’t you see that? This is my job; this is my life. I’m trying to keep you safe! You’re going to have to trust me,” he practically yells.

I narrow my eyes at him. I’m still boiling mad, but how does him being with Samantha make me safe?

“I don’t understand your lifestyle, Jase. You don’t say anything to me all night, then you practically break into the bathroom and haul me off into…into, where the hell are we?”

He chuckles in relief and the tension floats away. “Storage room, I think?”

I put my head in my hands and my hair flows around my face. I feel like hiding, and this is the best way.

He brushes the hair away, crumbling my camouflage. With my hair in his hands, he wraps it around his wrist and yanks me close. I can almost taste his lips on mine.