Page 73 of Beautiful Things Obey
“I’m going to ruin you tonight, Doc,” he growls with that carnal expression in his gaze that brings my body to life.
“You can try,” I say, biting my bottom lip and grabbing my purse. “I need to freshen up.” I stand and cross the room, purposely swaying my hips, feeling his gaze glued to my ass in the tight black dress I’m wearing. But it’s not just his eyes I feel as I make my way toward the bathroom. Onlookers watch as well, most likely curious about the woman that someone with such a deadly reputation would wine and dine. I only came here for the food. Oh, and to fuck. At least that’s what I continue telling myself.
But it fills me with female pride and power, knowing how desperately he wants me. How much I affect him.
The ladies’ room is just as impressive as the rest of the restaurant, with its marble floors and gold fixtures.
I reapply my lipstick as a woman comes out of one of the stalls. She washes her hands and pulls out her lipstick. She’s blonde and beautiful, and wearing a tight red dress on her slender frame with a tall pair of Louboutin heels.
Our eyes meet in the mirror, and recognition flickers in her expression, and my stomach drops.
“Oh my God,” she says, turning to face me. A warm smile spreads across her face. “I know you.”
My heart kicks. “I don’t think so.” I quickly put my lipstick away.
“No, I do. I’m sure of it.” She studies me with bright eyes. “Where do I know you from?”
Dread fills my veins.
“You don’t,” I say. “You must have me confused with someone else.”
I move toward the door, but she steps into my path. She’s not being aggressive. Just confident she’s right. She’s still smiling and completely unaware that she’s just ignited a bomb inside me.
“It’s going to drive me crazy,” she says, tapping a long nail against her chin. “Oh, I know. It was back in California.”
The word rips through me like a bullet to my chest, and everything inside me goes cold.
California.
My pulse slams so hard it makes me dizzy. Heat flashes beneath my skin before draining away just as quickly, leaving my fingers numb around my clutch. My mouth goes dry. Every instinct inside me starts screaming even as I try to keep my voice controlled.
“You’re wrong,” I insist.
“No, I’m absolutely certain of it. It was a gala, and you were there with your husband.”
“I’ve never been to California.”
The lie is easy because I’ve told it more times than I can count.
She frowns. “I could swear it was you.”
I force a smile even as my lungs tighten. “I guess I just have one of those faces.”
“But…”
“Enjoy your evening.”
I don’t wait for her to finish. I push through the bathroom door and only hesitate for a moment as my gaze lingers on the table, where Silas waits as he signs the bill.
This was a mistake.
I slip past a couple as I keep walking toward the exit. My heels strike the marble too fast, breath coming shallow now, adrenaline surging so violently through me I can barely feel my hands.
Outside, I walk faster.
Then I run.
Because my past has just caught up with me, and the only thing I can focus on now is surviving.
