Page 113 of You Make Me Feel
I’m taking a sip of my champagne when I feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise. And I know it’s him. I can feel it. There’s an intensity to his stare that even my skin seems to feel.
Taking a deep breath, I turn around and see Zach striding through the door to the ballroom, wearing a tux that makes him look like he’s an old-fashioned movie star.
He scans the room, and I hold my breath. Then he stops dead, his eyes moving slowly over me, taking me in.
I think I look pretty good. It took me long enough to get ready after all. Washing my hair, pinning it up in red waves that frame my made-up face.
But it’s the floor length dress that I ordered from the mainland I love the most. It clings to my body like it was made for me, the neckline dips low enough to tease, the back scooping even lower. The fabric catches the light as I shift, a hundred shades of green, like moss and jewel and forest, shimmering with every breath I take.
Tiny crystal straps curve over my shoulders, glinting like stars against my pale skin, and the slit along the side reveals one long leg with every step. It’s glamorous, sleek, and absolutely nothing like the girl who arrived on this island with a single suitcase.
Zach stalks toward me, his eyes never leaving mine.
“Romy,” he murmurs, looking at my friend as he takes my hand in his. “Can you give us a moment?”
“No problem,” she says, sounding amused. “You coming?” she asks the security guard.
He actually cracks a smile. “I have to go guard the front of the hotel.”
“Shame.” She smiles back. “Maybe later.”
“Maybe.”
She blinks, like she wasn’t expecting that, her gazefollowing him as he walks out of the room. “Okay then,” she murmurs. “Have fun.” She heads for the bar, leaving me standing, surrounded by people, as Zach steps up closer to me, his expression so intense it takes my breath away.
“You look ethereal,” he murmurs, taking my hand and kissing it.
This man knows how to make me feel buzzed in all the right places.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I say, lifting my head to smile at him.
He pulls me closer, enough for me to breathe in the low notes of his cologne. His jacket is thick against my arms as he dips his head to kiss the shell of my ear.
“If we weren’t surrounded by half of the East Coast elite, I’d carry you back to my apartment right now,” he murmurs against my skin. He slides his hand down my back, his palm settling in the dip just above my ass. “God, you even smell like heaven.”
I squeeze my thighs together, because now is not the time to climb this man like he’s my favorite tree.
“I’m pretty sure Autumn would chase us there and drag us back out,” I point out.
“I’ll challenge her to an arm wrestle. Winner gets their way. She’s terrible at those.” He steps back, like he has to look at me again. Damn, he looks hot in his suit. “Come on.” He offers me his arm. “Let’s go be polite and civilized for a while.ThenI’m taking you to my apartment.”
Like she knows he’s thinking about escape, Autumn comes into view, wearing a gorgeous red dress that clings to her curves, holding a tablet and stylus like a weapon. She gives Zach a look that could slice steel, then checks something off her screen and marches toward the main doors, leaving a trail of intimidated waitstaff in her wake.
Zach puts his hand on the small of my back as he leads me through the crowds. It’s warm but not possessive. He’s changed into full-blown easy-going mode, and I like that too.
We stop occasionally, and he introduces me to his friends, clients, some people whose names I swear I’ve seen on the Forbes Rich List. He doesn’t say I’m his girlfriend, but the way he holds me as we talk makes it clear I’m his.
And nobody else stands a chance. I like that way more than I should.
When we finally reach the bar, I see that most of the Fitzgerald clan have gathered there. Francie, Skyler, and Eden look amazing in their beautiful dresses – a long silver silk bias cut for Francie, a vintage gold fifties dress for Skyler, and Eden is wearing a backless blue dress that clings to her beautifully. And I know without asking that it’s made from sustainable fabric, because that’s her thing and her signature look.
But it’s the smile on Zach’s face when he sees Wyatt walking toward him that makes my insides turn to mush. The two of them embrace like they haven’t seen each other in years, then Wyatt steps back with a raised eyebrow and Zach imperceptibly shakes his head, like he’s answering a question that nobody else heard.
“Are you going to introduce us?” Wyatt asks, smiling at me. He looks too big for his tuxedo. Not in a bad way at all. More like his muscles and the fabric decided to have a fight and his muscles won.
I have no idea where Romy is right now, but I wonder if I should warn him. Even if he’s six foot four and built like a mountain, I’m not sure he stands a chance against my best friend.
“Wyatt, this is Sadie. Sadie, this is my brother Wyatt.”Zach presses his hand against my back again as Wyatt takes me in.
