Wet hair. Wet body.
No. I pushed the memory back.
She had changed from the green dress she wore to a free knee-length gown. Where the hell did she get that from?
She had a microphone and was singing along with the song coming through the speakers. She sounded horrific-which wasn’t a surprise, considering how drunk she was. But she looked happy. So so happy. I’d never seen Lyric that way before. She belched into the mic and laughed out loud, her partners in crime joining her in the laughter.
“Go, girl!” Someone clapped.
She walked around the fake stage, shaking her head, throwing her arms around like a celebrity performing in front of a large crowd. She even bent down at some point to shake the hands of her audience.
Rhys chuckled beside me. “She’s quite fun. Been entertained for a while now.”
‘I shot a dagger at him through my eyes before returning my gaze to Lyric.
Suddenly, I realized my rage toward her was gone. At least, she wasn’t dancing with a man. And she looked so happy. But fun time was over.
“I’m taking her home.” I turned to leave. Rhys grabbed my wrist.
“Seriously, Jar!? I told you it’s strictly girls-only. Juan will have my head if I let you walk in there.”
“Then, find a way to bring her out, Rhys. ‘Cause I swear, I’ll do it myself if you don’t.”
Rhys looked frustrated. Well, his business. I was exhausted and wanted to go home, and the gods of the Moon knew there was no way I was leaving Lyric behind.
Grumbling something under his breath, Rhys stared downstairs, and I followed him. I waited by my car while he proceeded to the pool area. Few minutes later, he was out with a very drunk Lyric and a furious Juan behind him.
What the hell was his bitch doing here?
“Seriously, Jaris? You’re being so unreasonable. The party was supposed to last until morning,” Juan grouse as Rhys handed my package to me.
“I’m sure Lyric is neither the host nor the celebrant. Go have fun with the rest of the girls.” I opened the back door and shoved Lyric into the seat, throwing her purse next.
Then, I started walking around to the other side of the car. “You’re being so mean to her, yet you wouldn’t even let her have fun.”
What?
“Hey, babe. That’s okay.” Rhys held her hand.
His woman must be drunk. Because Juan wouldn’t have the guts to talk back at me on a normal day.
And how was Lyric already spilling things about us to people she just met?
“She’s a fine woman, Jaris! If you don’t want he, let her go. I’m sure there are a million men out there who would die to have her!” Juan half-yelleld as I opened the backdoor.
Yup. Definitely drunk.
“Put a chain on her, Rhys. Or better still, on that mouth.” I glared at Rhys before lowering into the backseat.
Drunk Lyric poked her head out the window. “Don’t worry, Juan! We won’t be together for long!” She waved at her newfound friend while smiling sheepishly.
There was a sudden ache in my heart. I looked at Lyric and felt my anger build toward her.
Roughly, I pulled her into the car and rolled up the glass.
Nerion took the driver seat while Kael sat next to him. Then we hit the road.
Lyric kept mumbling and humming incoherent words. But what got to me the most was the fact that she was very wet and drenching my seat.
Wet. In this casual dress.
Against my will, my eyes found her chest. I could see the outline of her black foam-less bra. I’d been able to spot her panties when Rhys was bringing her to me. And
1 forced my eyes away, pushing thoughts of my mind. to think Rhys had likely seen
Lyric out of that as well.
She giggled and suddenly did something insane. She rested her head on my shoulder. Her wet
“Ugh. You shouldn’t have come.” She grunted. “Fun. Having fun. Without you.”
When I looked into her face, her eyes were closed. But there was a smile on her Around Darkspire? She now preferred the company of others?
‘She’s done worse to you, Jaris, my subconscious scolded me. hair on my shoulder. face. Was she really unhappy around me?
‘She deserves to be unhappy!’
LYRIC
I woke up with a terrible hangover.
My head ached terribly. The first thing I did was soak myself into the Jacuzzi.
It wasn’t until I was a little calm that I recalled all that had happened the previous night. When I did, fury pulsed in my bloodstream.
Jaris.
As usual, he was there and ruined my night. Dragged me away when I was having the fun of my life. For the first time since I met him, I felt genuinely happy.
Done bathing, I checked my email and nearly screamed in excitement when I found one from TCH, asking me to come over by ten.
I checked the time. It was past nine.
Shit.
As fast as lightening, I fished for what to wear-black corporate pants with a red top-hastily brushed my hair, packed it into a ponytail and applied a red lipstick.
Hm. The red lipstick looked really good on me today.
Perfect.
I grabbed my bag and file and hurried out of the ro
Finally, some good news. I’d be beyond grateful if I could get this job. At least, it’d keep me busy and keep my mind off some depressing thoughts.
I fished for my car keys in my bag as I hurried down the passage. I noticed someone coming before me-someone with a familiar scent.
Lifting my head, I found ‘him’ coming.
Jaris.
Nerion was beside him, seemingly giving him report.
My heart skipped a beat as our eyes locked. I had that familiar mix of hurt and confusion flood me.
Time seemed too slow, but we didn’t stop walking. And as we got close, I noticed his eyes linger on my lips.
I furrowed my brows, wondering why the hell he was staring at my lips.
I dip my head to him as we walked past each other. There was a great sense of unease and loss as we lost eye contact.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.