Page 24 of Don't Date Your Ex Best Friend
Thanking the server, I gulped down the bubbly champagne, which left quite a burn in my throat.I watched Jake laugh with his colleagues and talk to them.I smiled and let him be as I ventured to hand over my donation check for the children.
I had a nice chat with the warm lady who explained to me where the money would go and how it would help aid kids fighting cancer.I asked for their office card so I could visit their office personally and see if I could volunteer or help them in any other way.She was taken aback by my answer and thanked me, even though I should be the one thanking her for supporting this alternative.
Mr.Stone arrived as I hugged sweet Olivia goodbye after talking to her.
“Among all the three hundred people, you are one of the few who came forward to donate, Ms.Sharma,” he said in his soft voice, walking beside me in his pristine suit.
I assured him, “I am sure more people will come after the dinner.”
He huffed, “You are being too optimistic.I wish that would happen, but unfortunately, most of the people are here for their popularity.At least it will get the word out.”
I agreed and my eyes drifted to the tall, bronze-skinned man with a beautiful raven-haired woman in his arm.I tilted my head to him, “Well, Khalid Al-Latif is here, so you shouldn’t worry about it.The press will do its work.”
He smiled kindly at the towering man who was busy whispering something to the lady in his arms, her cheeks flushing red.“Even as the Prince of Azmia, his paintings have made over two billion dollars for the fundraisers, so I believe it will go well.”
Khalid Al-Latif was not only the Prince of Azmia, the country that bleeds gold, but he was also the brother of Sultan of Azmia.His paintings are inspired by grief, death, and a sad notion of life which my mother always found intriguing even though he was barely twenty at that time.I had seen his artwork for the gala; every painting had a child in an abstract form, blended beautifully with sharp, contrasting colors that made your eyes hazy if you kept looking at it.I knew from the start that most of the donation would be collected because of his paintings.
Mr.Stone asked, “Would you like to dance with me?”
I grinned at him and held his hand, “Of course, Mr.Stone.I wouldn’t dream of declining your request.”
He chuckled, the sound raspy and throaty as he led me to the middle of the floor where other couples were dancing and swaying to the soft music.We swayed together for a while, talking about the other initiatives for the children all around the world.
“Mr.Stone, may I please borrow my fiancée for a dance?”Jake appeared beside me, smiling at the old man.
“Of course, Jacob.Take care of her, she’s an angel.”He squeezed my hand when my cheeks flushed at his compliment.He patted Jake’s shoulder and walked to his husband, who was well known for his luxurious fashion brand.
Jake stepped closer, wrapping his arms around me, and raised his eyebrow.“Flirting with Mr.Stone, are we?”
I let out a soft laugh, “Don’t tell me you got jealous of him.”
He shook his head, swaying me and pressing me much closer to his body.“You should see how men are staring at you right now.I needed to step in and let them know that you are marrying me.”
My hands tightened around his.“I am one lucky woman,” I smiled up at him.
“I am a lucky man to have you,” he whispered, his eyes glinting with adoration.He kissed my knuckles softly, “I love you, Kiara Sharma.”
“And I love you, Jake O’Neal.”
Before he could reply, our dance partners changed, and he was whisked away by another woman.I smiled at him and was about to walk off the stage as I didn’t see anyone when someone held my palm, sweeping me back on the dance floor, twirling me around.
My breath hitched in my throat at the touch of his cold, firm hold when all the lights turned off.The only source of light was the huge glowing chandelier above us.I swallowed the lump in my throat at the strange sensation, my nose wafting with musky woodsy and cinnamon cologne.I couldn’t place it, but I knew there was something familiar about it.
Something familiar about this person.
With the drifting shadows of the light across his face, I marked his sharp features gazing up at him.His wavy onyx hair was slicked to perfection, but it seemed he had raked his hand through it a lot tonight, tousling it in the process.No matter, it suited his fierce face well.High cheekbones, pointed manly nose, slight stubble peppering his sharp jaw and his dark eyes glinting under the lights as he looked straight back at me.
His eyes.A small smile appeared on my lips when I stared up at them.They didn’t know which color they wanted to be, at one moment they were dark blue like the ocean or moss green like a forest.They were beautiful.
Hewas beautiful.
A shudder ran through my body when those dark, feral eyes raked over my body, his cold yet gentle palm sliding down my bare back, touching me skin to skin.I instinctively arched up to him because of his touch, my front pressing up against the smooth fabric of his shirt, and I sighed at the feeling of his muscles stiffening.He hummed, the sound rumbling from his throat making me shiver.His hand dipped down my dress to stay at my lower hip.My hand tightened around his other palm, and I looked away from his piercing, probing eyes.
It felt as if he could read me.Could see through me.
My eyes trailed down to his broad shoulders swathed in a black suit which didn’t help hiding his muscles.He was wearing a crisp black shirt underneath the suit, and the top few buttons of his shirt were open, revealing a hint of tan skin.Blood warmed my cheeks, and I looked away from his body, trying to keep up with his graceful dancing.
Who are you?My mind wondered.Do I know you?I feel like I have known you all my life and not at all.
