Page 120 of Bad Influence
We step into the elevator and he takes us to the parking level.
“Not all of them,” he says. “Some of them are like Gran, they’re nice. They actually appreciate people and art. Most of them are as vapid as you’d expect. About ninety-nine percent of them are vampires sucking you dry of money and energy.”
The elevator opens and we walk out into the garage. Killian leads me to his fancy sports car.
Getting into a low sports car in heels and a dress is no easy feat, but I manage. Once I’m seated, Killian walks around and gets in. With a push of a button, the car purrs to life under us.
“Why are we going if you hate these people?” I ask.
Killian navigates through the streets easily, one hand resting on the steering wheel, the other holding mine. Sometimes it feels surreal, the way he leans in for these casual touches.
“Like I said, it’s a great networking opportunity for you,” hesays. “The other reason is, my agent is constantly reminding me these people do buy my art and I do donate fifty percent of my earnings. I can still donate if I have no clients buying my work, but that amount will be less.”
“So, to be very cliche, you have to dance with the devil,” I say.
“Exactly.”
His outlook is very different from our upbringing. Our families are about showing up and showing out, making sure they are the talk of the town after any event. Killian would rather do anything else than attend tonight. Not to mention he said it’s a great networking opportunity for me. My career has never been important for anyone. Not my parents, and especially not Beckett. To think that part of the reason Killian agreed to attend tonight is for me fills my heart with gratitude.
I almost open my mouth and tell him I’m in love with him. But that’s not the kind of thing you say in the middle of a car ride to a fancy event. Actually, I’m not sure when it should be said. What if he doesn’t say it back? I mean, I know he wants me. What if he doesn’t say the words?
“What are you thinking?” Killian asks, squeezing my hand.
“Nothing.”
He glances at me, an eyebrow raised. “I know better than that. You’re an overthinker to the core.”
“I’m not!”
“Your face says differently,” he scoffs.
“No, it doesn’t,” I say. I pout, looking away.
Killian laughs lightly, and the warm sound fills the car. He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses the back of it, like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Even after all the sex we’ve had, it’s the easy things which surprise me the most. We hold hands walking down the street. Killian makes us coffee each morning. He sends me texts throughout the day to remind me to drink water or eat a snack,step away from the office even if it’s only for a few minutes. Last night he brought me flowers just because.
It all leaves me a little breathless each time. Perhaps because it’s the first time I’ve felt like an equal in a relationship. The first time my happiness and well being has mattered to someone.
Then whythe fuckI can’t let go of this tight ball of anxiety?
CHAPTER 32
Caroline
When Killian invited me tonight,he neglected to mention the gala is being held at The Met. Because that’s a perfectly normal thing to forget. We haven’t ventured out to The Met, even though it’s literally a couple of minutes walk from the Guggenheim, where we have been. I could have spent the whole afternoon at the Guggenheim listening to Killian explain art to me.
I can pretty much do anything as long as it has Killian explaining something to me. The sound of his voice is soothing, and a huge turn on.
Cameras flash as we walk in and I swear people shout Killian’s name.
“Oh, you’re likefamousfamous,” I say, when we’re safely inside. My ears are still ringing.
Killian turns to me in confusion. “What’s the difference?”
“Some people can be slightly famous for something they did or they can be internet famous. Or they can have photographers shouting their name so they’ll stop to get their photo taken.”
“I mean, I guess I am. When I started, my agent would have me attend a lot of these parties and even though I hated them, I let her convince me. That led to meeting a lot of rich and famouspeople who invited me to their parties and the cameras followed.” He sounds so disappointed.
