He practically jumped at the chance, excusing himself and beelining to the other side of the room where butlers served alcohol.
I wanted to disappear with him, wanted to search the room for Bastian, wanted to be anywhere but here.
“Morina, I just have to say that we’ve talked to government officials, and we could make all this a smooth transition even without Maribel. I know this is a lot for you. Maribel didn’t tell you, did she?” He patted my arm like I was a child.
I cleared my throat, stepping out of his reach and glared at Quinton and him. “It’s a lot for anyone, but I’m excited to do right for the city and the company.”
“Of course.” He nodded vigorously and then leaned in to whisper, “Quinton and I are willing to pay you fairly and take all this off your hands. I’m happy to see you aren’t with that Armanelli fellow anymore. He’s been a bit of a thorn in our side since the whole thing with his father.”
“What whole thing?”
“Oh, you know–”
“Ronald. Quinton.” From behind, his voice cut through our conversation.
Shivers ran down my body at the tone, deep and low and totally in charge.
I turned to see the man I’d secretly been searching for since arriving. He stood tall in a crisp black suit and a navy tie that shined in luxurious silk. His white collared shirt popped perfectly in all the right places and his gold cufflinks glinted bright under the chandelier.
Bastian belonged in big houses with crystal flutes of champagne. More than that though, he belonged with an exceptionally beautiful woman like the one on his arm.
Tall and willowy, she stood on heels that put her body at just the right height for Bastian to lay his arm atop her shoulders comfortably. Her long, deep auburn hair rested against his chest.
He leaned down and murmured something to her as she smiled up at him, her red lipstick painted perfectly across her lips.
“Bastian Armanelli,” Ronald almost sneered but his hand shot out. “Thank you for coming tonight.”
“Absolutely.” Bastian shook his hand and scanned our faces. He didn’t wink or smirk or show any connection to me. “Good to see everyone could make the charity event. Thank you for hosting.”
“Of course, of course. I’m happy you could all make it even under these circumstances.”
“What circumstances?” his date asked. Her voice was like a sex operator’s and I instantly felt the need to leave.
How had I thought Bastian would want to kiss me back or sleep with me over this stupid amount of time we were supposed to spend together when he normally had women like that?
“Well, Elizabeth, you’ve seen the tabloids.” Ronald and this woman were obviously on a first name basis already. She belonged in this society. I didn’t. “You know these two, well, they have a history.”
Ronald chuckled a bit like he was trying to rile Elizabeth but the woman’s delicate hand was on Bastian’s chest as she looked up at him and murmured, “Oh, Ronald, none of us are worried about that. Right?”
Bastian smiled like a man in love and whispered something in her ear again, so close to her neck, I was sure they’d been intimate.
Suddenly, I needed air. Or a break. Or something. My hand went to my stomach as I breathed in deep. “I think I’ll just–”
“Babe!” Bradley’s voice boomed across the crowd. He was holding up champagne glasses and rushing my way. “Sorry. I had to talk to somebody real quick about our beach. They didn’t know you surfed and that you’re about to be part of Tropical Oil.”
Bradley winked at me like he knew I needed rescuing. When his arm went around my shoulders, I leaned in. Bradley was the crystal I didn’t have in my pocket tonight. He was my comfort in this foreign place where people had hidden agendas and masked themselves as good individuals when really they were trying to cut you down.
“I’m going to steal my date for a dance.” Bradley pulled me away before anyone could protest.
“Thank you.” I breathed out, following him as fast as my strappy heels would carry me.
Laughing, Bradley spun me in his arms as we arrived at the dance floor. “Did you see his face?”
“Who’s face?”
“The guy you’re trying to make jealous, Mo.” He pulled me close. “Bastian was furious. He looked about ready to kill me.”
“I don’t think so.” He’d looked just the same, no change in expression and no feeling at all toward me. “He was enamored by Elizabeth on his arm.”
“Well, most men would be. The woman is hot, Mo.”
I tried to step on his feet. We both moved well on the dance floor, having done our fair share of drunken tiki bar jukebox dancing. He sidestepped and I didn’t catch him. “Just shut up and dance.”
We did that for a whole song while the orchestra in the corner of the grand room played jazz. More people joined in. An MC encouraged more to do so before the silent auction closed. Bastian and Elizabeth made their way over. When he turned her in his arms, she curled into his chest, like she belonged there. His dark stare was on her before it snapped up to laser in on me.
I didn’t get any indication from him that this was a show. He must have known that woman, he must have slept with her. The way her hands went to his neck and then his hair as she whispered sweet nothings into his ear and burrowed into his neck.
My heart hardened toward him. This truly was an arrangement. We’d had fun but I wasn’t falling over a cliff of love or enjoying him more than I should ever again.
Bastian belonged with her. I belonged with a man like Bradley. Two worlds didn’t collide and mesh perfectly. I had the oceans, pure and cleansing, while he had his cities full of mob money and dirty luxury.
Bradley murmured in my ear and Bastian took that moment to lay a soft kiss on Elizabeth’s neck.
Gentle didn’t suit Bastian. A peck instead of a bite wasn’t his normal MO. My gut twisted as I realized I didn’t know him as intimately as I thought. I’d kissed him, I’d gotten myself off in front of him. I’d probably done all that when he’d had Elizabeth the whole time.
No wonder he’d hesitated.
Bile rose in my throat, and my whole body stiffened.
Bradley nestled into my neck. “Mo, that girl is pretty. I know I said that and I know you know that. You’re stunning though. She’s got nothing on you. Bastian knows that too. Don’t let them get to you.”
I stiffly nodded, trying to take his words to heart. Yet, I grumbled, “Says the man who knows his only chance of getting some tonight is with me.”
He laughed but when I didn’t join in, he tickled my hip as we slow danced. I jumped and broke eye contact with Bastian as I chuckled, then squealed for Bradley to stop his assault.
“Lighten up, Mo,” he murmured to me. “It’s just a night, okay? Remember, you can still go with the flow. You just have to decide to do that, right?”
His words struck something in me. They echoed my grandmother’s letter. I made quick decisions on the water all the time.
I rode the wave.
I took the risk.
Suddenly, I was done dancing, done staring at a man who didn’t want me, done not indulging. I grabbed Bradley by the hand. “Let’s take that self tour.”