Stupid Cupid (5 page)

I was glad I’d already planned to work from home the day of the party. Getting anything done at the office would have been impossible with the excitement of the unveiling of
Cupid’s Arrow
, and I’d wanted to avoid the happy party-goers for as long as I could.

Unfortunately, since I was working at home, I’d been forced to turn my phone back on so the office could reach me. I had several missed calls and countless voice mails from Nathan. He was a sweet guy, and I was certain those messages were full of heartfelt apologies, telling me how sorry he was that he couldn’t be my date tonight. While I appreciated his persistence, I just couldn’t bring myself to listen to them. Tonight was important for the company and for my division, and I had to stay strong.

By the time I arrived at the hotel ballroom, I was ready for a drink.

I never drink.

“Wow,” Mario said, whistling as I made my way through the entrance. My boss had always been a shameless flirt with the girls, but particularly with me. He was harmless and never crossed the line with his comments, but it still made me uncomfortable at times.

“Good evening, Mario. Everything looks great.”

That was a lie. Everything looked hideous. Our decorated office was nothing compared to this place. Cupids—in shades of red, pink, and silver—were plastered around the room. They dangled from the ceilings. They were perched in the center of every table. There was even an ice-sculpture.

Stupid cupids.

After this was over, I was begging Mario for a transfer. Maybe to the Halloween division. My gloom and doom attitude was perfect for that holiday.

I headed to the bar and ordered a bottle of white wine. The bartender laughed, but I assured him I wasn’t joking. I flashed him a smile, hoping it was borderline sexy. His eyes widened as he took in my indecent attire.

Feeling triumphant, I took my bottle of expensive wine and sat down at our assigned table. After pouring a glass, I sipped slowly, watching the scene unfold before me. Music blared from the sound system—a mixture of 80s power ballads and classic love songs—and couples were already dancing. Everyone was smiling and happy, while I sat at the table with my bottle of wine and moped as I scanned the room.

There was no sign of him.

Annalise finally arrived with her gorgeous husband on her arm. He was wearing his NYPD dress uniform with gloves, and she was draped in a lovely pink halter dress. She looked elegant and sophisticated, while she’d dressed me like a high-class hooker.

Classy, Jada.

By the time Mario took the stage to welcome everyone to the party, I was more than ready to call it a night.

He introduced each of the writers and illustrators, complimenting each of us on a job well done. The lights lowered, and he pointed our attention to the back wall, where a slideshow of the
Cupid’s Arrow
designs began to play.

And that’s when I felt someone’s hand on the small of my back.

“You’re absolutely stunning,” Nathan whispered against my ear.

His fingers crept along my spine, slowly sliding along my zipper. I gasped, leaning back against him as he placed a soft kiss below my ear.

“Where’s your date?”

His arm coiled around me, pulling me tighter against his body. My heart raced as his nose glided along my neck.

“She’s sitting with Annalise and her husband,” he said softly.

My best friend was such a traitor.

The room was shrouded in darkness, and every eye was fixed on the slideshow. Spectators murmured their appreciation as the designs appeared on the screen. I couldn’t pay attention to any of them because Nathan’s gentle kisses against my skin were driving me crazy.

“This dress is sinful, Jada.”

“I know.”

“I tried to call you all day.”

“I know.”

“So you
were
avoiding me?”

The pain in his voice was evident, and I felt guilty, knowing I was the reason for it.

“Yes.”

“Why, Jada?”

Swallowing nervously, I pulled myself out of his arms as the lights flickered to life once again. Everyone applauded, and the entire Valentine’s division received a standing ovation. Mario beamed and encouraged everyone to enjoy the rest of the party.

“Jada, look at me.”

Taking a deep breath, I turned around. He was in his tux, looking handsome and perfect, and gazing at me with those sparkling blue eyes that made butterflies erupt in my stomach every single time I looked into them.

“You should go back to your date,” I said quietly.

We stood there, staring at each other, until his face flickered with understanding.

“You said it was no problem,” Nathan whispered.

“It isn’t.”

“It obviously is if you’re avoiding my phone calls,” he replied, his voice aching and soft. “Jada, I couldn’t disappoint her. It’s all she’s talked about for weeks.”

Shaking my head, I blinked back my tears and reached for my glass of wine.

“You’re neglecting your date. You should get back to her.”

Nathan stared at me, his face incredulous, just as Annalise appeared at my side.

“Your date got a little restless, so she’s dancing with my husband,” she said, laughing loudly. Her giggles faded as she looked between the two of us. “Everything okay now?”

Nathan took a deep breath. “I should get back.”

I nodded.

He walked away, and Annalise seized my elbow.

“What’s going on?”

I ripped my arm out of her grasp. “What do you mean what’s going on? What are you doing being all chummy with his date? And letting her dance with your husband?”

“Jada . . .”

I quickly drained my glass of wine. “Don’t
Jada
me. You were right. I’m too attached, already. Far too attached. It shouldn’t bother me that he has a date, but it does. It bothers me a lot, and I know I’m being selfish and ridiculous, but I can’t help it. This is why I hate relationships. This is why I avoid love or anything that remotely resembles it. That’s why I despise this holiday!”

Annalise’s eyes were wide. “My God, you’re jealous.

“Clearly.”

“I’ve never seen you jealous,” she whispered. “It’s . . . a little scary.”

Suddenly, she exploded with laughter.

“You are the worst best friend
ever
,” I muttered.

“And you are being completely ridiculous. Pour yourself another glass, because you’re going to need it when you get a good look at Nathan’s date.”

“Are you crazy? I don’t want to see her.”

“Don’t make me drag you, Jada.”

I narrowed my eyes. “You wouldn’t dare.”

My best friend’s eyes flashed with determination, and before I could even reach for my glass, I was being dragged to the center of the dance floor. We stopped abruptly, and she grabbed my shoulders, spinning me around.

“Look,” she demanded.

I looked.

I gasped.

Just as I’d predicted, Nathan’s date was blond.

And beautiful.

And
seven
.

Arwen, dressed in a white satin dress with a bright pink sash tied around the waist, was standing on her father’s shoes as they danced.

“I’m an idiot,” I whispered shamefully.

“You’re an idiot,” Annalise agreed. “He really likes you, Jada. I’ve only spent fifteen minutes talking to the man, and it’s obvious. And Arwen is adorable. I can completely understand why you’re attached. Now, get your sexy ass over there and tell him you’re sorry for not giving him the chance to explain.”

The song ended, and everyone clapped. Taking a deep breath, I made way toward the two of them. Arwen’s eyes lit up when she saw me.

“Hi, Jada!”

“Hi, sweetheart. You look so pretty.”

“You’re pretty, too,” the little girl replied happily. “Would you like to dance with Daddy?”

Nathan’s eyes remained on the floor.

“I would love to dance with your daddy. I need to tell him how sorry I am.”

Arwen looked confused. “What’d you do?”

“I made a mistake.”

“That’s okay. Daddy says everybody makes mistakes.”

Nathan’s mouth twitched as he tried not to smile.

Annalise’s husband appeared, asking Arwen if she’d like to dance again. She giggled happily, and I smiled my thanks at Devin as the two of them found a spot on the dance floor. Another slow song began to play, and I stepped closer, taking his hand in mine. He didn’t pull away, and it gave me hope.

“Please dance with me,” I whispered.

He drew me close to his body, wrapping his arms around me. My hands slid along his shoulders, weaving around his neck, and we began to sway to the music.

“She’s always going to come first, Jada,” he whispered gently. “I thought you understood.”

“I do understand,” I said softly, gazing up into his eyes. “Nathan, I thought she was a real date. I mean, I thought she was a woman.”

He furrowed his brow. “That’s why you were avoiding me? You thought I was bringing an actual date?”

I nodded. “I have no right to be jealous. We’ve only known each other for two days.”

Nathan sighed softly and leaned his forehead against mine. “Jada, didn’t you listen to any of my messages? I explained all this. I told you Arwen was so excited that she was getting to be a princess and go to a ball, and that my mom had taken her to some expensive store in the mall to buy a dress.”

I felt so foolish.

“No, I didn’t listen to any of them.”

“I wish you had,” Nathan said, “because you would have heard me pour my heart out like a lovesick puppy, telling you how much I couldn’t wait to see you tonight. And I told you that I wished I could take you tonight, and that I really hoped you didn’t have a date, because I knew I couldn’t handle seeing you in the arms of another man.”

A tear trickled down my cheek. “I’m sorry. I just assumed . . .”

Very gently, he wiped away my tears with his fingertips.

“You were jealous.”

I nodded.

Nathan smiled softly. “I would have been jealous, too.”

“This is insane. We barely know each other.”

He glanced across the room. I followed his gaze, finding Arwen sitting with Annalise and Devin. She was giggling and happy as she bit into her pink cupcake.

“Come with me,” he said softly.

“Okay.”

Tugging me by the hand, he led me through the dancers and out onto the balcony. It was dark and deserted, and the chilly air nipped at my bare skin.

Fortunately, I wasn’t cold for long.

Nathan gently pushed me against the exterior of the building. Heat radiated from him as his body pressed against mine.

“I know it’s fast,” he said softly, gliding his nose against mine. “I know we barely know each other, but I
want
to know you, Jada. I want to know everything, but right now, there’s something I absolutely have to do, and you have to let me. Please say you’ll let me.”

His blue eyes were blazing with need. With hunger. With a desperation that made me tremble.

“I’ll let you do anything,” I whispered.

With a groan that ignited my blood, he crashed his lips to mine. I moaned, pulling him closer, loving the taste as his tongue tangled with mine. My hand gripped his hair, and the growl that resonated from his chest only excited me more.

Breathless and panting, he pulled away, staring at me with his scorching gaze. After a few seconds, he kissed me again. This time was gentle and sweet, and I sighed when his hands tenderly framed my face as we kissed over and over again. I’d never been kissed like this, not even when I was married. No one had ever been so passionate one minute and so heartbreakingly tender the next.

I was immediately addicted to his kisses.

I was addicted to him.

When we returned to the party, Arwen was waiting at the table with Annalise and her husband.

“Did you say sorry?”

I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. “Yes, I did.”

She looked up at her father. “Did you forgive her?”

Nathan pulled me close, placing a kiss on my forehead. “I forgave her,” he said softly, winking at me.

“Good. Can we dance now?”

Everyone laughed as Princess Arwen grabbed her father’s hand and pulled him toward the dance floor.