Page 40 of Bourbon Kingdom
Straightening his tie and clearing his throat, he glanced at Keylee and said, “I do apologize, Miss Zinc, for being so improper; will you forgive me?”
“Of course,” she replied, looking a little uncomfortable from the tension rising between my father and me.
“I just don’t know if that apology will do; let me make it up to you. Will you do me the honor of joining me on the dance floor?”
Keylee looked up at me, and I just nodded, letting her know it was fine.
With a bright smile, she took my father’s arm and he led her out to the dance floor, but not without turning around to look at me. The look on his face was one of victory, but what he didn’t know was, he’d already lost.
Scanning the room, I watched New Orleans’ elite milling about, introducing themselves to one another, mingling and forming new partnerships. Women held onto their men’s arms and the men held small tumblers in their hands, gradually sipping on the contents.
Being part of such a society was always boggling to me. New Orleans was full of old money and traditions. These galas weren’t really for charity. Yes, the money was to benefit a cause for that week, but mainly they were for the powerful to conduct business out from behind their desks. To make deals in public without anyone knowing. It was shady, it was political, and I hated that I lived in such a world. I wanted to do good, I wanted to offer opportunities to those less fortunate, but in order for me to do so, I had to be a part of such a community.
A sharp laugh came from the dance floor, where my dad was twirling Keylee around. Her head was thrown back and, clearly, she was having a good time with him, something I would never give to her. Maybe they were made for each other.
Glancing at the door, my heart stopped beating in my chest the moment I saw Rex Titan walk in with my little one attached to his arm.
The noise and clatter in the ballroom stopped registering in my mind as Goldie walked in. The air was knocked out of my lungs from the mere sight of her. She was in a teal silk dress that belted loosely at her hips, with a slit on both sides. The dress was held up by two thick straps that covered her breasts, but the neckline was non-existent, as the front and the back both fell to the waist of the dress. Her hair was pulled back tightly in a ponytail, and she was wearing dark makeup around her eyes, making her look more exotic than normal. Long earrings dripped from her ears, as well as a very small chain that wrapped around her neck and connected to the waist of her dress. She was beyond exquisite. Every bone in my body wanted to run up to her and claim her, but I stood in place instead, as Rex’s hand guided Goldie by her lower back into the room.
I needed to pull away, to show that I wasn’t affected by her presence, but I couldn’t stop staring at her. It seemed like months since I had seen her, when it had only been a week.
The crowd parted as Rex walked forward, making an obvious beeline for me. All eyes were on us as Rex made the final steps. I glanced at Goldie, whose head was down, avoiding all eye contact with me. Why wasn’t she looking at me? Was she ashamed of what she did? Did she not want to look at me? Did she find me repulsive?
“Jett Colby, I had no clue you were going to be here,” Rex said with a smarmy smile, as he pulled Goldie in closer to him. “I believe you know Goldie.”
With a deep breath, I nodded and looked down at her. Her gaze lifted ever so slowly and her bright blue eyes peeked up, stabbing me directly in the heart. Her face flushed when she noticed the small smile that played on my lips in greeting.
“Good to see you.”
“You too,” she all but whispered.
“Doesn’t my Kitten just look absolutely breathtaking tonight?” Rex asked, while squeezing her side. I watched as Goldie picked her head up and smiled at him.
Rage boiled from the tip of my toes to the top of my head from the lighthearted look she just gave Rex. That smile, that gleam in her eyes, they didn’t belong to anyone but me. Rex didn’t deserve to be looked at by her like that. That look was reserved for one person and one person alone, me.
Calming my raging heart, I thought about the consequences of lashing out, of letting Rex get to me. So, instead, I swallowed the aching feeling running through my body and allowed my pride to take a hit.
“Quite lovely,” I replied, just as Keylee and my father stepped up next to me. Keylee snuggled into my side once she saw who Rex was with. She clung onto my arm and practically humped my leg to stake her claim.
“Leo, what an honor to see you,” Rex said, while sticking out his hand to shake Leo’s.
“Rex, pleasure. What a beautiful date. Goldie, you get more gorgeous every time I see you, maybe because this time around you’re attached to a real man.”
The dig didn’t fail to annoy me.
Without saying a word, Goldie just nodded and smiled. I had never seen my little one act so suppressed, so quiet, so reserved. I didn’t like it. She was normally a bright spot in the room, but right now she was quiet, almost like she was threatened not to speak. The realization startled me. Why was she doing this?
I shook my head at the thought; only a day or so more and then I would be able to claim her again, to open my arms back up to her, that’s if she wanted me.
My pride took over my thoughts as I wondered if she really did want me. I didn’t want to go after her if she wasn’t into me anymore, if she really wanted Rex.
I needed to get her alone.
“Come, dance with me,” Keylee whined into my ear, while pulling on my arm.
From Keylee’s voice, Goldie’s head snapped up to see the offending woman. Once realization hit her, she looked back up at me with daggers sprouting from her eyes. I knew she didn’t like Keylee, and it was a little thrilling knowing Keylee still had the same effect on her, no matter if we were together or not.
“Not right now,” I dismissed her. “Please, excuse us, we have some other people to say hello to. Rex, Dad . . . Goldie,” I nodded, escorting Keylee away from them. There was only so much I could take, and by the way Goldie was looking at me, I was about to crack. I needed to remove myself from a volatile situation.
