Billionaire Blaze, page 6
“Alma says the same thing about me, but she still encourages me to dance. Something about letting go and having fun anyway. People admire confidence and don’t care about professionalism all the time.”
“Not in my world.” I frowned, wondering yet again how he could read my earlier thoughts so well.
“I don’t suppose you noticed, Lukas, but we’re not in your world today. We’re in theirs, and almost no one here is going to remember how well you danced or how good the bride looked and how much alcohol they drank. You can be whoever you want to be today.”
I nodded, but I didn’t move, picking up my latest drink instead. The bartenders were quick to serve Kai, and he was ready to head back out to the terrace where his wife was. I was grateful not to be nagged, but it had done its damage. I was drawn to the dance floor, where plenty of the people at the party were having fun.
Did I want to dance? I had no idea, but I didn’t want to sit and answer work messages anymore. I’d had enough of work. I downed the drink and started walking over to the group dancing, aiming for Kit without really thinking.
“Lukas,” a voice called from my side, and then one of the other bridesmaids appeared in front of me. I knew her least of all of the wedding party, but she smiled as if she knew me. “I was hoping to find you.”
“I wasn’t exactly hiding. I’ve been at the bar the last hour or so.”
The woman didn’t pick up on my lack of interest and stepped closer when I tried to move around, reaching for my arm and taking it.
“We really need your help with something. Come sit with us.”
She didn’t give me much choice, taking my hand and pulling me away from everything. I considered resisting, but I knew it would be rude not to at least see what she was so adamant about that I needed to be involved in. There was a chance it was something important, and I had just enough alcohol in me that I minded less.
When she got to her table, the wedding guest book was open on it, and another two women sat nearby. All three eyed me hungrily, something I was far too familiar with.
“We’re struggling to figure out what to write. Will you help us?” She thrust the book at me, and I almost let it fall to the ground, but she had at least some point. I hadn’t written in it yet, but I should do so.
For the moment, I humored them, took the book, and sat down, although I made sure to choose a seat a little bit farther away from them than I imagined they would have chosen for me.
“The trick, ladies, with anything like this, is to read what everyone else has said before you, so you gain some inspiration.” I was making it up as I went along, but it seemed plausible.
All three ladies smiled and seemed to appreciate me putting in any effort to help them, and I could flick through the book and focus on the messages inside rather than them. I read several of the better ones aloud, wishing I’d thought of them. It helped me get ideas for what I wanted to write as well.
There were enough that just said congratulations and wished the happy couple well that I thought I could go one step above, if nothing else. After reading a few more, the woman closest to me picked up the pen and reached for the book.
With nowhere else to go and no desire to engage in conversation on another topic, I let her take it and write her message while her friend read it over her shoulder. Both of them opted to write theirs before me, and I checked my phone again and replied to one more work message in order to clarify an instruction.
Hoping my work colleagues would finally be able to handle everything without me, I tucked my phone away again to see that my current companions were waiting. None of them looked impressed, but I wasn’t sure I cared that much. Work was work, and as much as I liked to have time off, I ran the company. That meant certain problems could only be my problem, no matter where I was or what I was doing.
As they shoved the book back toward me, I sensed some iciness. Had I missed one of them talking to me?
“So…are you all enjoying the party?” I asked as I quickly wrote a short phrase and signed it. It wasn’t much better than basic, but it would have to do.
“It’s good enough. I think we’re going to get more drinks.” One of the women grabbed the arm of another, and all three got up and left. I shook my head, more than a little confused. Somehow, I had offended all of them. That much was clear. But I had no idea how I’d done so and what I could have done differently. Now and then, the opposite sex baffled me.
Looking around for my next port of call, I considered what I wanted to do. Once again, my gaze found Juno and Kit. Both of them were still dancing, but they had been joined by others now, and it looked more like a group of friends chilling out and dancing together. If I joined them now, it would be safe to do so without drawing too much interest in my actions.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Kit
It felt good to be on my feet and dancing with Juno and some of her friends like we had in the past at all sorts of different parties. She was my favorite person to dance with, and it helped me relax and enjoy the party.
All my duties were pretty much done, and it was clear sailing from here for the rest of the day. Juno was smiling and having a great time, and even Jack had never looked so happy. With the adventures I’d had earlier with Lukas and then getting to sit with him for the meals that day, I couldn’t say I was unhappy with life either.
Not that I knew a lot about him, but so far, I wouldn’t have minded dancing with him. However, it seemed he wasn’t the type.
I glanced over at the bar, where he had been sitting last, to see if there was any chance that he might want to join us as well, especially as more people were coming to dance with us, including Jack’s bandmate Liam and his partner. Juno encouraged Jack to come along, and even Alma came to dance without Kai.
Lukas was no longer sitting there. Instead, he had moved over to one of the tables. There were three women sitting with him, and they were laughing about something.
Trying not to show my disappointment that he was having fun with the others, I concentrated on enjoying the dancing again. It was a lot of fun, and seeing Juno happy made up for a lot of downsides.
It also made me feel good about my anxiety and how I had handled myself in spite of it. I’d flown to New York and been taken to a remote island, and then been the maid of honor in front of a huge number of people I didn’t know. As far as bravery went, this was amazing.
On top of that, before we had begun dancing, I had been approached by a couple about a job in the US. Maybe tomorrow, I would talk to Juno about it and see if she thought I should take it. While she was celebrating her wedding, it wouldn’t be right, and we were having so much fun dancing that I didn’t want to stop anyway.
I let go of all the fears and worries and just danced, focusing on the rhythm and beat. It was easy to let go while everyone had so much fun, and Alma and the others happily joined in, grooving to the music, each with our own style and no embarrassment.
Despite the fun, I couldn’t help but sneak the occasional peek at Lukas. The women left him by himself not long after, but he seemed to be happy enough by himself and didn’t get up, busy doing something else. I tried to hide the desire to get him to come over and dance as well, especially as Jack and Kai eventually came over, too. Kai wasn’t that great at dancing, but it was clear he intended to try to make Alma happy.
The two of them sort of split off to one side, more focused on each other from that point on. It was sweet to see, but with everyone else now in an obvious couple, I started to feel more self-conscious. When I glanced toward the table again, Lukas was looking my way once more, and I met his gaze again.
This time I didn’t hold it. I probably looked like an idiot to him, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep dancing anymore. All of a sudden, it wasn’t so fun. However, while I tried to think of a good reason to stop, I carried on. There was never an easy way to stop dancing mid-song unless you were hurting, in need of a drink, or something else was wrong.
And this was no different. I didn’t want to fake my need, so I opted to wait until the end of the song and then find a way to chill out for the rest of the evening without being alone or making Juno feel like she needed to be at my side. After making sure all their guests were okay, the happy couple only really had eyes for each other now.
It felt like it took forever, and I was suddenly aware of my feet hurting and of not wanting to keep going. What was it about pain and discomfort that the body often ignored until you started thinking about it?
Eventually, the last note struck, and the music went into the opening part of a much slower song I didn’t recognize. It was the perfect opportunity to make some excuse and leave for the nearest seat instead. I didn’t get far before a man stepped into my vision.
“Would you let me have this dance?” Lukas asked me, searching me for a reaction.
I couldn’t think straight and found myself nodding. Almost immediately, he slipped an arm around me and took my hand in his, pulling me close.
Although I almost tripped over my feet, with him guiding me away from the others enough to give us space, I managed to disguise it. It was strange to be so close to him again when I thought he was uninterested in dancing or doing anything else with me in general.
As he slowly turned me in time to the music and swayed back and forth with me, I went through a myriad of emotions. Alma and Juno grinned at me when they noticed whom I was dancing with, safe in the arms of the men they loved already. My cheeks flushed, but I also felt oddly safe.
Something about Lukas just made me feel as if everything was going to be all right. While I had been nervous with him and hadn’t wanted to appear like an idiot, there had been this underlying sense that I wouldn’t face anything worse than a little bit of embarrassment, and he would never make me feel anything strange.
“Have you been enjoying the wedding so far?” Lukas asked.
“Yes. I was just thinking that it’s been a welcome break, and I think it will make me feel braver about traveling more in the future.”
“Good. Everyone should travel plenty if they can.” He smiled, and I didn’t tell him I couldn’t really afford it in my present state. I had enough money to live and for the occasional luxury, but extensive travel wouldn’t be at the top of my list yet.
“What about you?” I asked, hoping to deflect back to him and stop him from probing further into my inadequacies. It was bad enough that I was so much less wealthy than Juno without bringing more attention to it.
Lukas tilted his head to the side. “I think you’re about the best thing in this whole wedding event. I have never been one for socializing too much, but I’m enjoying your company. And there’s possibly some good business that will come out of it, too.”
“Business? You managed to get business done with the craziness that has been this trip so far?”
He nodded. “Not much. I had to message the office a few times just now. Not fun. But I got to talk to some of the others here, and I might be able to make something work.”
“Do you ever go somewhere and not work?” I asked, looking up at him for the first time since we’d started dancing. His intense gaze was straight on me as the corner of his mouth twitched up.
“Not often. It depends on how much fun I’m having. Not many people can make me forget my work. You can, and make me want to talk about it a little at the same time.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” I smiled at him, beginning to relax a bit, and let him steer me around the dance floor.
“You should. There’s something about you. You’re a wonderful person, and it’s clear that you have a great friendship with Juno.”
I didn’t know how to reply. I still had mixed feelings about this guy, but I had to admit he made me feel good about myself. On top of being safe with him. It was a good combination.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The first song with Lukas was over far too soon, but he didn’t disappear as soon as a more upbeat tune started playing. He stuck around and danced with the rest of us. He wasn’t the most amazing dancer, sticking to pretty safe generic dance moves, but he had enough rhythm and charm that he pulled it off.
As the others returned to us and the group dancing together got bigger, he also seemed to just fit in and have fun. Before long, everyone was being ridiculous, making the pizza, stacking shopping carts, and whatever else amused people and kept us in time. The lack of egos and our ability to be silly made the whole thing lighthearted, and the drinks flowed on top.
By the time my feet hurt too much to continue, we had been dancing for almost another hour, and everyone was ready to wind down the party. Lukas immediately pulled out a chair for me and had a waiter bring us some water.
“Got to take care of ourselves. This much alcohol and exercise needs to be dealt with carefully. And no one needs a hangover.” Lukas sat beside me, still smiling, although I was pretty sure he’d drunk enough whiskey to sink a battleship by this point. He didn’t appear to have a problem holding his drink.
“You sound like my aunt. Always talking about taking care of our bodies so they hold up under old age.” I shook my head, but I was smiling and I hoped he didn’t take it as an insult.
“I think it’s the job of an aunt to both spoil us and make sure we remember the difficulties of growing old like they are. Everyone has an aunt or uncle who tells us these things and makes sure we’re mindful of our elders.” He grinned and ordered more alcoholic drinks.
I chuckled as he mimicked his aunt, shifting his body. “Now, listen here, Lukas. Just because your mom is running ragged to take care of you don’t mean you don’t have to take care of yourself and her. You’re the man of the house, and you’ve got to act like it. There needs to be good food, plenty of water, and no one staying up late until the witching hour. You need to be disciplined.”
Although Lukas made it sound funny and was clearly going for the comedic route, it was also a window into his life. It sounded like his mother had worked hard and his father hadn’t been around. A lot of responsibility on his shoulders and an aunt who reminded him of them.
Despite that, he seemed happy and didn’t mind the memory. Or was that the drink talking?
Before I could think of a way to ask or to generally steer the conversation, our water and drinks arrived. He immediately poured me some water.
“There, now drink that up, and we’ll talk more about this trip and what we both want out of it.” Lukas looked at me, almost deliberately being intense as if he was studying me and making sure I did as I was told.
Although it made a part of me want to be bratty and object, I downed the glass of water. He nodded, satisfied, as I put it down again and then took a few big gulps of his own, putting the glass down less than half full.
“Good. I like a girl who knows when to listen and when not to.” He flashed me another smile.
“That sounds very bossy of you,” I shot back, teasing him a little.
“Perhaps. But I know what I want, and I take care of people. I like to think that makes me a decent guy, even if I can be…forceful sometimes. I would never violate a person’s consent.”
I frowned, surprised by the way he’d phrased it. How did encouraging me to drink water violate my consent? It almost seemed he was talking about something else entirely.
“This might be a little forward of me, but you seem like the kind of woman who appreciates a man who can make decisions and take the lead as long as he genuinely holds your best interests at heart.”
As he talked, I tilted my head to the side, trying to figure out where he was going with this.
“I guess that would work for me. But he’d have to really care. Not just pretend to make his own world better.”
“Of course not,” Lukas replied as he reached for my hand and took it between his. He started running the tips of his fingers along the back of it, and I felt heat flush through me. With his head still tilted slightly down toward our hands, he looked up at me, trying to gauge my reaction. “But if that someone knew how to make it everything you needed and more…knew how to make a woman find parts of herself she’d never found, would you like that?”
I nodded without thinking, mesmerized and distracted by the slow, gentle motion of his fingers as he traced mine and then the gaps between them, running up and down along my skin. He gently turned my hand over, exploring the palm, running a finger across all the more obvious lines, and then up and around my wrist.
The pressure was light and almost tickled, but it wasn’t quite that sort of sensation. A shudder rippled down my spine as my whole body responded to it. He smirked, enjoying the obvious impact he was having on me.
I felt self-conscious as my cheeks flushed, and I looked around the veranda. A lot of the guests had gone to bed and left the rest of us to it. If Lukas was tired, he didn’t show it, and I knew I wasn’t either. Not now. Not when he was making my body feel this way. Like I was full of electricity, intense and on the edge of something I couldn’t describe.
When Lukas was done with my wrist, he took the other hand and repeated the same patterns as if exploring every inch of them.
“You have beautiful hands,” he said when I didn’t know what to say or do and still flushed. “Artist’s hands. The kind that are used to lovingly create beauty of their own. I would like to keep these hands and pin them above your head as I…create an entirely different, beautiful moment with you.”
The breath caught in my throat as I tried to imagine what he was talking about and found I grew even more heated. I squeezed my legs together involuntarily, and he caught the movement, his smirk growing even larger.
“Seems I’m not the only one.”
“I...” I gulped, not sure how to respond. As quickly as he had taken my hand and started exploring me, he stopped, letting go and sitting back a little. The air suddenly felt cold again, and my hands wanted him back. It took all my control not to reach out for him and try to take his hands back to get him to carry on. I fought the urge as I shuddered and sat back as well.
