I reentered the ballroom, looking for Lucy but hoping I might spot David and reassure myself that he wasn’t hitting on Ritz. I stopped in my tracks when I was met with the unpleasant image of him handing her a drink with one hand, as his other hand rested on her back. Is that his type? Redhead, curvy and reeking of desperation? At least Maria was in his league. I bemoaned the fact that I had actually selected her as one of Chicago’s most date-worthy singles. How could I argue with my own taste?
I pounded the remainder of my drink and plunked it on the nearest table. I turned to leave when I saw two arguing guys in the corner almost knock over a table. “Hey!” I yelled, running over to them. “Stop! What are you doing?”
“No worries, babe, we’re just fucking around,” replied a young, stocky blond.
“Who are you here with?”
“We used to work in the restaurant downstairs, so we snuck in.”
“Dude, shut up,” the other one said. They burst into laughter. “What’s your name? You’re hot,” he said, his eyes slightly bleary. One of us was swaying, but I couldn’t be sure whom.
“You guys aren’t supposed to be here. I have to throw you out,” I said. They were on the verge of belligerent, and I decided that they might be better suited to a dank club somewhere far from here.
“Hang on,” the blond said, moving to block my way. “Let’s get a drink. I’ll buy.”
“No,” I said, deciding it wasn’t worth it to point out that the drinks were free.
“Come on,” he pleaded. “What’s your name?” My eyes darted around him, searching for security. He looked at me expectantly and sniffed.
“Liv,” I said distractedly.
“What is it?” the friend asked.
“Liz,” replied the blond.
“Liz, where’s your drink?” he asked, not bothering to hide his slurring. “Didn’t this asshole offer to buy you one?”
“I’m good,” I yelled. “But seriously, you guys have to go.”
“Lighten up, babe! You need a drink. Let’s go,” the friend said, laying a heavy arm over my shoulders. I moved to lift it off, suddenly reliving Mark’s hands on me.
“Let me go,” I yelled.
“What?” he asked into my ear, causing me to wince. “You’re not leaving are you? I’m going to get you a drink.”
“And I’m going to get security if you guys don’t leave. This is a private party.”
“No, no, no dude, don’t get security,” he said, tightening his grip.
“Please, get off!”
“Huh?”
“She said get OFF!” I looked up just in time to see David yank the guy’s arm from me and twist it before throwing him into the wall. He positioned himself in front of me and towered over the stocky blond, whose face flashed with a new alertness. “What the fuck don’t you understand about get off?” he yelled, pushing him into the friend.
“David?” I called in shock.
The friend yelled something, holding up his palms, but I couldn’t hear over the music. They hurried away and ran right into security.
David had regained his bearing and was now towering over me. “You need to start paying more attention to - ”
“What are you doing?” I sizzled. “I can take care of myself.”
“Clearly you can’t,” he shot back. “Those guys - ”
“Were completely harmless!”
“You don’t know that.”
“You know what? Forget it – I’m leaving,” I said, pivoting on my heel.
“Hang on,” he started, but I spun around to cut him off.
“Stay here. Enjoy the party.” I couldn’t help casting an obvious glance at Ritz, who was biting her nails by the bar where he’d left her. “You shouldn’t have any problems meeting someone,” I muttered, craning my neck to locate Lucy.
“Someone like Brian Ayers? There’s a match made in heaven.”
I paused. “What business is it of yours? I like him.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t think he was your type.”
“I don’t have a type, David. I’m married.”
He took a step closer and the thrumming returned; only now it gave way to a full body vibration as he stared down at me. “So you keep saying. I’m beginning to wonder if you flirt with all of them the way you flirt with me.”
I balled my hands into fists on each side of me. “Again, not that it’s any of your business, but I was trying to set him up. In fact, he’s over there talking to Gretchen right now.” Even though I was making no secret of my irritation, I’d lost his focus. He was looking at one of my hands, which I now realized was nervously playing with the hem of my dress. “And I don’t.”
“Don’t?” he repeated, riveted as my fingertips grazed against my bare thigh.
I lowered my voice and rasped, “Flirt with them. Flirt with anyone, actually, the way I flirt with you.” He blinked from my hand to my eyes. I had his attention now. “Goodnight, David.”
“Goodnight?”
“I’m going to say good-bye to everyone.”
“Olivia,” he commanded, but I was already leaving. Damn you and your orders, I thought. It takes every ounce of my willpower to ignore them. “Stop running away.”
I turned around to find him one step behind me. “Leave me alone, David,” I whispered as calmly as possible.
“No,” he said, lightly grasping the wrist of the hand he’d been tracking.
“Don’t touch me,” I said, withdrawing. His touch was too intense, and I didn’t know what it would take to send me over the edge. I searched the room for an escape, deciding to forgo the formalities. I ended up at the elevator bank, impatiently punching the button.
“What – where are you going?” David asked my back.
“Home. Just go back to the party, David.” When he didn’t budge, I bolted for the service stairwell. I burst through the door and jumped when it slammed against the wall. I rushed down a flight of stairs and just stopped myself from turning back for my coat.
“Olivia!” he called from above. I held my purse to my breast as I rushed down the steps.
“Leave me alone,” I called over my shoulder. My heart leapt when I felt his unmistakable hand on my arm. He was damn near impossible to outrun.
“Stop! I’m not letting you run away. Are you mad at me? And where is your coat?”
I whirled around to face him as we stood on the landing, shivering from the stark surroundings and from the emotions that were beginning to escape. “Am I – am I mad?” I asked, seething. “What do you think?”
“Is it about this afternoon?”
“No. Y-yes – it’s about everything! Why are you here? I thought this was done.”
“I tried, believe me I did.”
“Tried what?”
“To stay away,” he said steadily. “I tried to stay away, but I can’t.” He glanced down at his feet, kicking at something that wasn’t there. When he looked up again, his eyes were blazing. “Spend the night with me.”
The breath flushed from my lungs, leaving me cross-eyed with lust. I could almost hear my body vibrating now, so coiled with desire that I knew I would snap if he touched me. “Why, so you can humiliate me again? Toss me aside like day-old garbage?”
“What are you talking about?” he asked roughly.
I watched him closely. “I don’t understand. Is this some sort of game for you? You pushed me away in Lucy’s office and then told me you never wanted to see me again. That you were finished with me. And now suddenly you want me?” A fluorescent light flickered somewhere above us, as though it were channeling my anger.