Total pages in book: 145
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138775 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Kyle cut across the middle of the room, and the floor changed—maybe to some kind of dance area in the middle? I hoped he wouldn’t want to dance. He was probably good at it—he seemed good at basically anything that involved using his body in a coordinated way—but I sure wouldn’t be.
One the far side of the dance floor, an attractive couple stood in front of a little walled off area with plants and flowers. The man was enormous, towering over the woman who wore the prettiest gown I’d seen yet. It had gray beading arranged in swirls and patterns over a nearly nude fabric. That, along with the plunging neckline, made her look incredibly gorgeous. She—oh my god. It was Hailey.
“Hailey!” I grabbed Kyle’s arm and pulled him over to where Hailey stood, looking very small next to her roommate, Grant. But god, they looked gorgeous together. Hailey had half the men in the rooms staring at her, but she only had eyes for Grant, and I couldn’t say I blamed her.
His black tux made him look very debonair and worldly, and somehow, a bit like a Bond villain. But a very sexy one. He looked like a million bucks, which was understandable, because his family was worth that, and more. He had on a black tux and while it wasn’t as dangerously sexy as Kyle’s all-black ensemble, he still looked incredible.
Hailey’s jaw dropped as I rushed up, dragging Kyle along.
“What are you doing here?” Hailey and I said at the same time, and then we hugged.
“You dress is so beautiful!” I exclaimed.
“So is yours!”
“Hi Grant,” I said, somewhat shyly. I knew him, of course, but the tall, handsome man had always intimidated me a bit. Not that he’d ever been anything but kind, but it just felt a little easier to relax around Ian and Theo, Hailey’s other roommates.
“Looking good, Tori.” Grant said. He had a nice smile—attractive with just a hint of mischief. Hailey was a lucky woman to be on his arm… but I felt pretty damn lucky myself.
I turned to Kyle. “This is my friend Hailey.”
“So I’ve gathered,” he said to me before turning his eyes to my friend. The dry way he said it made me remember that this was a secret club… maybe it wasn’t smart to shout people’s names across the room. “Nice to meet you, Hailey.”
I was going to introduce him to Grant, but they were already shaking hands. “You two know each other?”
“We’ve met,” Kyle said, and Grant nodded.
Okay, then. But I was too excited about seeing Hailey to wonder how they’d met. “Did you have to be blindfolded on the way in?” I asked, lowering my voice.
“Yes. They always do that.”
“Always? You’ve been here before?”
“Once.”
A waiter passed by with a tray full of champagne flutes, so we stepped to the side nearer the array of plants behind a low wall.
“What is this place?” I whispered.
“I don’t know, sort of like one of those old-fashioned speakeasies? I know it’s only open once a month. And everyone gets really dressed up.” Her voice was low, too.
“How do people even find out about it?”
“Only members of certain fraternities are allowed in.”
“But I thought Grant quit the fraternity.”
“He did, but he’s still got a lot of influence.” Hailey’s smile was tinged with pride.
“You two look really good together.”
Her cheeks turned pink as she smiled. “So do you and your man. I take it that’s the hot jock?” She grinned and went on before I could respond. “I can confirm that first part for myself.”
“Yes, that’s Kyle.” I wanted to hug Hailey again. Though this place was gorgeous, it was… a lot. But Hailey, even dressed like a bombshell, was my friend. Talking to her was comfortable and familiar. It was even easier than talking to—oh crap. Had I really just run off and left Kyle in the middle of the dance floor?
Heat flooded my face as I looked around. Kyle and Grant were headed toward us, still talking. Kyle had two champagne flutes, and his blue eyes were flashing.
“Victoria.” He handed me a glass of champagne, and then his hand settled on the small of my back again. Inwardly, I cringed.
“Oh my god, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…” I trailed off, feeling mortified. I’d seen my friend and completely rushed off. “It’s just that Hailey and I haven’t seen each other in a while.”
Hailey nodded, nestled against Grant, his arm around her.
Kyle whispered in my ear in a low, dangerous voice. “I wanted to give you an unforgettable night. I didn’t know you were going to forget about me.”
“I didn’t! I just—” My sentence ended with a squeal as his hand slid down and pinched my ass. As if to make sure I wouldn’t forget him again.
“We’ll talk later, okay?” Hailey said. She grinned as she looked from me to Kyle and back again.