“Are you okay?” Rich asks me as he follows me out of the room.
I need air. There are too many people, and when my eyes first locked with Dasher’s I was sure I was imagining him here. He hadn't said one word about being at this party tonight, and he knew where I was going. I’m guessing he thought with so many people attending I might miss him on his date. Jerk.
“I’m feeling lightheaded,” I say, walking faster to make my escape. I think I feel Rich’s hand on my back but I’m too numb to pay attention. All I want to do is get away as quickly as possible.
“Here.” Rich opens a door and ushers me into a private room.
I let out a long breath as I sit down in a chair. Why does this hurt so much? Twenty-four hours ago I was telling myself Dasher wasn't for me and that we couldn't date and that he didn't want to date me either. Now my heart is shattering inside my chest. Maybe I read everything wrong, and maybe I’m overreacting. What if this is how people date these days? He didn’t say anything, but what if people see a few people at a time? I know Dasher and I haven't had a chance to talk about what is happening between us, but I think I made it pretty clear that first day in his kitchen that I wasn't the fling type of girl. I told him about my parents.
“Can I get you anything?” Rich drops down in front of me. He’s being pretty dang nice even after telling him I couldn't be his date tonight. Not after the kiss I’d shared with Dasher. It felt wrong, and I told him when I got here that it couldn’t be more than a work relationship. Plus I was hoping to dip out as soon as I could because I was trying to get back to Dasher.
“I just need a second.”
He nods and stands up. “So you know Dasher Sleigh?” Rich asks.
“Yes, he has a party tomorrow night,” I say, not wanting to go into more details than that. Though I think Rich caught us staring at each other right before I all but fled the room. Why else would he be asking?
“Ahh.” Rich walks over to a small bar and pours himself a drink. I hadn't noticed which way we turned when I fled the front entry of the house, but we’re in a small office now.
“Ahh?” I ask, making the same sound as him.
I should really leave instead of hiding in here. How easy will it be to make an escape? What if Dasher chased after me? Is he looking for me right now and does he actually think I’m going to go back to his house when I leave here after he’s been out with another woman all night?
“You really have no idea how alluring you are, which only adds to the appeal.”
I sit up a little straighter because Rich is staring at me now. His eyes roam over my body, making me feel naked as his nice-guy act fades fast.
“I should go.” I stand. “The party is in full swing right now, and I’ve left Chel to handle everything. I really am sorry about canceling as your date tonight. Thank you for being so understanding.”
“How sorry?” he asks, tilting his head to the side.
“What?”
“How sorry are you, Eve?” He shoots back the rest of his drink and sets the glass down with a loud thud. “And I never said I was understanding.” He pulls at the bow tie he has on and tosses it down next to his empty glass.
“Again, I’m sorry. I wasn't trying to lead you on. I just—”
Rich tilts his head, laughing. “No, I don’t think you know that you’re a cock tease. Which is another thing that makes men want to fuck you so bad. Even Dasher wants to, but you’ve got to tell me what it is all of you see in him.” My mouth falls open. “Is it because he never dates? That’s a bunch of fucking bullshit, if you ask me. All men need their dicks wet.”
I stand there in shock, not sure what to say. When I realize what he means, my mind goes straight to Dasher doing that with the beautiful woman that was on his arm tonight. Has he been kissing her tonight the same way he kissed me?
She was elegant in a tight-fitting black dress, and if someone told me she’s a movie star I wouldn't be shocked. Would it have killed her to put on a little holiday flair? It’s a Christmas party, but maybe I’m being petty.
“Well?” Rich prompts, but it wasn't really a question.
“I’m leaving.” I turn for the door and realize that there aren’t other men like my father out there. He would have done anything for my mom because he loved her so damn much. For them it had only been each other. Their lives might have been cut short, but they had something I don’t think many ever do.
I let out a small scream when Rich grabs me by the arm and pulls me back. He steps into me and I walk backwards, trying to get space between the two of us. Of course my heel catches on something, and I start to fall. When he grabs me, my body instantly rebels and I push at his chest, not caring if I take a tumble to the floor. The need to get away from him outweighs anything else.
“Damn, you’re fucking soft. I’ve never been with a girl with some meat on her bones. I’m really seeing the appeal.”
I push at Rich’s chest, and he goes flying across the room like a rag doll being tossed away. I’m shocked because there’s no way I’m that strong, but as I see Rich scramble to his feet, Dasher looms over him.
“You motherfucker,” Dasher growls, going for Rich.
Rich swings on Dasher, and I’d bet my life on it that Dasher lets him get the hit in. The look on Dasher’s face after the blow hits him in the jaw confirms my suspicions. A smirk pulls at Dasher’s mouth right before he swings on Rich fast. Two blows to the face and a third to the stomach. I cringe when I see Rich crumble.
People rush into the room, making a grab for Dasher to pull him off Rich. Dasher’s date stands there watching with a smile on her face. Now I’m the one wanting to punch, which is horrible. She didn't do anything, but she can be the one to make sure Dasher is okay. I steal the opportunity to make my escape.
Someone shouts my name, but I keep on moving, grabbing my bag and coat from where I’d tucked them away. When I exit the house I remember that I don’t have my car. Crap. I glance over my shoulder, wondering if I should call for an Uber.
“Miss Eve, are you ready to leave?”
“Thank you, yes.” I let out a sigh of relief when I see the driver from earlier standing outside with a couple of the valet men.
“I’ll grab the car. You stay under the heaters so you can keep warm.” He nods to one of the tall metal heaters they have set up outside in front of the house.
“I could use a walk.” I put on my coat. “Please,” I add when he opens his mouth to try and stop me.
“Take my arm.” He offers it to me. “I know they cleared the snow, but you can never be too safe.”
“Thank you.” I take his arm as he leads me to where he parked the SUV he brought me here in. I’m silent as we make our way back towards Dasher’s so I can get my things. How the heck am I going to handle tomorrow?
I start to realize I could be fired by tomorrow morning after what happened at the party. My heart starts to slow down from the rush of emotions I was having, and then there’s a hollow pit in my stomach.
The Mills party went to hell, and I’m right in the center of it all. This day started off as one of the best days I’ve had since losing my parents, but now I’ve made such a mess of things. This is why I told Jewels I shouldn't go on a date with a client. I’ve not only messed up one but two parties because of this.
I reach up and press my fingers to my lips, remembering the kiss Dasher gave me. It was everything I thought a first kiss would be and more. Now I’m wondering if that’s how all kisses are and I’m just naïve about the whole thing. The flood of emotions that hit me when his mouth met mine had me throwing all judgment out the window. I was ready to go all in with Dasher, that’s how much I believed in the kiss.
When we pull down Dasher’s driveway, I smile at the pink lights and all the decorations. My smile slips when I remember how all afternoon while I was at the Mills’ getting everything together for tonight I was thinking not only of Dasher but his family too.
My mind had begun playing out fantasies of what it would be like if Dasher and I did fall in love. I even imagined the Christmases we’d have with our children. Dasher would probably run from me if he knew I was already thinking about this stuff after only one kiss. I couldn't help myself, it meant that much to me.
I’m out of the car before it stops fully and rushing inside to get my stuff. I’m not sure how much time I have or if he’s even trying to catch me. Doesn't matter. I’m not going to be here when he finally returns home.
When I get inside, I shoot straight to Dasher’s room to get my stuff. I toss everything into my bag and make it back downstairs in a couple of minutes. When I get to the entryway, I start looking for my car keys in my purse, but they aren't there.
Crap! Did I toss them in my luggage? I open a bag and start digging through it. The driver comes into the house and gives me a strange look. I can’t blame him. I’m on my knees in the entryway of the house pulling everything out of my bags. It looks like a closet exploded in here.
“I can’t find my keys. Have you seen them?” I ask when I see Jillian and Rae coming down the stairs wearing matching Christmas pajamas. It’s so adorable I have to stop myself from bursting into tears. My emotions are all over the place.
“No,” the driver answers.
“Me either.” Jillian adds.
Okay, screw the keys, I’ll worry about them later. I have a spare at home and I’ll come back later for it.
“Can you give me a ride home?” I ask the driver, but Rae steps forward and gives me a sad look.
“I thought you were staying the night? I decorated a cookie for you to have in the morning. On Christmas we get cookies for breakfast.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Rae.” I force a smile onto my face.
“I can’t take you home,” the driver answers.
“Okay, is there a car I can use? Never mind, I'll call for a ride. It’s Christmas Eve, you all should be watching Christmas movies or something. I’ll get myself handled.”
“I’m sorry, Eve, but I’ve been told to close the front gate. No cars in or out until Mr. Sleigh returns.” The driver gives me an apologetic look. I don’t fight him on the issue because I know he’s only following orders, and Dasher is his boss.
“I tried to warn you, Eve.” Jillian shrugs one of her shoulders.
She didn't warn me that her brother was dating someone else. I think that would have been better information to pass along. Before I can try and think of another way out of here, the front door swings open, revealing a pissed-off Dasher.
Yeah, I’m totally fired.