Her breathy voice on my name sent a shockwave through my body. I clenched my teeth and tore my hand from her grasp before my weakness for her could overwhelm me.
“Then I’ve made my choice,” I bit out. “Go home, Bambi. We’re done.”
I turned sharply on my heel, forcibly severing the connection between us. Her soft gasp caressed my skin, winding around me like a clinging vine, threatening to bind me in place.
Fuck, I wanted her. I wanted her more than I’d ever wanted a woman. She was soft and fierce at the same time, a contradiction I found fascinating. I wanted her to release that breathy gasp as I claimed a savage kiss. I craved her surrender, to possess her.
My fists clenched at my sides, and my fingernails bit into my palms as I took my first step, wrenching free from her alluring pull. Somehow, I managed to stalk away from her.
She was my enemy’s daughter. I’d kidnapped and terrorized her. I had no business being anywhere near her, much less touching her.
No matter how much I wanted her, I had to leave Alexandra Fitzgerald firmly in my past.
Chapter 11
Allie
“Charlie, you take the selfie. You’re tallest.” As always, Isabel commanded the space around her; her bright smile and effervescent aura were utterly captivating. We all squished together in a tight group hug as Charlie dutifully accepted Isabel’s phone.
“Excuse me.” Davis pouted. “I’m a short dude, but I’m still taller than Charlie.”
“Not when she’s wearing heels.” Isabel brushed off his touchy remark.
Davis sighed. “And your legs do look killer in those heels, honey. I wish I could pull them off.”
“You totally could.” I hugged him more tightly to my side. “Come on, smile before my lips seize up. I’ve already posed for like a hundred photos with my dad.”
I was beyond ready to ditch the mayor’s daughter public persona and just hang out with my friends. These fundraising events were always difficult for me, but my besties made them actually enjoyable. Once I finished with all the photo ops, we could indulge in the sumptuous atmosphere and copious Champagne. The gilded ballroom and glittering decorations were ridiculously fancy this evening, and it promised to be a great night. Kelvin McCrae, Gavin’s dad, had been generous enough to offer space in his most prestigious hotel to support my dad’s cause.
Yet another reason why I couldn’t get Gavin fired.
I shook the small thought of Gavin from my mind before he could sour my night, and I leaned into the selfie with my friends.
“Oh, because it would be such a tragedy if your radiant smile remained fixed in place.” Davis huffed at me, but his mouth stretched in a broad grin.
Charlie snapped a handful of pics before we finally released each other and relaxed into more casual postures.
I turned to Davis, my photo-ready smile melting with concern. “You okay? You seem kind of bummed out tonight.”
“Yeah,” Isabel agreed, focusing on Davis’ sour mood with intense brown eyes. “It’s not like you to be this snarky. What’s going on?”
He tugged at his tux, straightening the unique navy jacket. He looked so dapper it almost hurt. The man might be a fashion icon one day if his dancing career took off. His five-foot eight-inch frame was densely packed with lithe muscle, and his anvil-square jaw framed the flat planes of his handsome face.
“I just feel kind of blah,” he lamented. “I think I’m about to start my period.”
Charlie’s darkly penciled brows rose to her platinum blond hair. “You don’t get a period.”
“A sympathy period, then,” he amended. “I must be syncing up with one of you. Allie?” He turned sea green eyes on me. “You’ve seemed kind of down recently. It’s you, isn’t it? You’re pulling me into your cycle.”
Despite the twinge in my stomach, a giggle burst from my chest. “Crap, you noticed that? I thought I was doing a good job looking put together. And sorry, but sympathy periods aren’t a thing. You can’t blame me; you’re not getting out of this so easy. Tell us what’s up.”
He scoffed. “Why do I have three nosey women for best friends?”
“Because we’re awesome,” Isabel reminded him. “Now, spill.”
He grabbed a glass of Champagne from a passing server and took a long gulp. “Johnny broke things off with me.” His usually jovial features fell, and my heart tugged toward my hurt friend. “I know it was just a few dates, but I really thought there was a spark. Or something. I don’t know. Romance is stupid.”
I wrapped him in another one-armed hug. “Don’t say that. You love love.” I clinked my own glass to his. “Screw Johnny. His beard was too perfectly groomed, anyway. You can’t trust a guy who spends that much time in front of a mirror. You deserve someone who will give you their full attention.”