One
Greer
My hand shook as I grabbed a champagne flute off the passing tray and took a small sip. I needed to calm my nerves, and Apollo Banachi being in the same room as me wasn’t helping. He’d been watching me all night. His steely gaze never leaving me, even when he was engaged in conversation with someone else.
“I see someone hasn’t taken their eyes off you all night,” Kent murmured under his breath as he glided next to me. “Methinks that strong, broody, hunk of man wants you, Greer.”
I rolled my eyes and took another sip. I didn’t want Kent to be right, although I knew that he might be. “I think you need to get your eyes checked, Kent. Apollo Banachi is the last person in this room who would be looking at me right now.” There were at least twenty other women in the room who were more worthy of Apollo.
“Oh, he’s not the only one looking at you, sweet innocent Greer. He’s just the only one who looks like he’s ready to take you right here in the middle of the dance floor.” Kent chuckled and shook his head. “You’re blind to it for some reason.”
“He is my brother’s best friend, Kent. I’m sure he’s just keeping an eye on me for Kane.” That was what Apollo always did. He was just being a good friend.
Kent rolled his eyes and grabbed my glass out of my hand. “I think he wants to keep something else on you besides his eyes.” Kent tossed back the rest of my drink and set it on another passing tray.
“Hey, I needed that,” I scolded. Liquid courage was all I had going for me right now. I knew that it was only a matter of time before Apollo made his way over to me. He’d been circling me like prey the whole night, from the fight where he sat three tables over to now where he was only ten feet away.
“I think tonight you may want to have your wits about you, sweetheart. I believe that fantasy of yours where Apollo Banachi finally sees you is about to come true.” Kent wiggled his eyebrows at me and nodded his head over my shoulder. “Because here he comes.”
“Don’t leave me,” I gasped as I grabbed his arm. I wasn’t ready for this. My mind went blank on everything, even what my name was. Poof, gone, all because Apollo was coming over. The man affected me like no other.
Kent looked down at me and winked. “I don’t think Apollo is into the same kink I am, sweetheart.”
I slugged his shoulder and scoffed. “Not like that.” I wasn’t sure what Apollo was into, but I knew it wasn’t the same things Kent was.
“You really think you should be hitting me in a dress like that? It’s not very ladylike,” Kent grumbled as he rubbed his shoulder. “You hit like a man.”
“Leave me, and I’ll hit you again,” I threatened.
Kent scowled, but he didn’t move. “I’m the token gay friend, Greer. You’re not supposed to hit the gay friend. I’m a damn unicorn, and you should feel damn lucky to be my friend.” He dropped his hand from his shoulder. “
“I am lucky you’re my friend, now be a good friend and don’t leave.” I didn’t care Kent was gay. That wasn’t the reason I was best friends with him. I was best friends with him because he was a caring and downright amazing person.
Kent gulped loudly and looked over my shoulder.
“Kent,” Apollo greeted low and smooth.
My body quivered at the one word, and I closed my eyes for a brief second. Thankfully my back was turned to Apollo, and he didn’t see me swoon. I needed to gather my wits for a second before actually looking at him.
“Apollo. Good to see you.” Kent tried to pull out of my grasp, but there was no way I was going to let him go, not yet. My tight grip on Kent was the only thing between me standing and falling flat on my face. My legs turned to Jell-O, and one wrong move would put me ass up on the ground with my Louboutin’s in the air.
Apollo’s voice drifted around me. “I couldn’t miss the fight between The Ripper and The Bone Crusher.”
“It was a good fight, but was there really any doubt that The Ripper wouldn’t win?” Kent followed MMA fighting, and he had begged me to come along with him tonight. I was regretting my decision. I should have stayed home in Chicago and brought in the New Year with my two cats and a bottle of champagne. Simple, quiet, and no Apollo.
“Do you think I could have a word with Greer alone?”
“Ah…” Kent’s eyes bugged out, and he looked down at me. “We were actually going to run to the bathroom.”
“Together?” Apollo drawled.
I could only imagine the smirk on his lips as he eyed up Kent. Apollo had a way about him, and all it took was one look from him, and you would be doing what he asked.
I knew the second Apollo gave Kent the look that Kent was going to abandon me. “You’ll thank me for this, sweetheart.” Kent brushed a kiss to the side of my head and pulled his arm out of my grasp. “Trust me.” Kent nodded his head at Apollo and disappeared into the crowd.
“Traitor,” I whispered under my breath. What was the point of having a wingman if they left at the drop of a hat? He was going to get an ear full from me once I was able to get away from Apollo.
“Turn around, Greer,” Apollo whispered into my ear. His warm breath washed over my skin, and a slight shiver ran through my body. His hand slid around my waist and my back pressed against his body. “Please.”
I never, in my fourteen years of knowing Apollo Banachi, heard him say please. It’s not that he was rude or an asshole, it was just that whenever he spoke, things got done. No please, and thank you were necessary.
I turned around in his arms but took a step back when we were face to face. His hand dropped from my side, and I took a deep breath that I desperately needed. “Apollo.”
His eyes fell to my feet, and his gaze slowly traveled up my body. I thanked God I had taken the time to actually shop for a new dress and not just pulled an old dress out of the closet.
Kent and I shopped all day yesterday, looking for the perfect dress. When we walked into a small boutique on the strip, I instantly fell in love the second my eyes fell on the black and jungle green dress. It really wasn’t a secret to anyone that my favorite color was green, so the illusion neckline with black and green tribal embroidery panels with alternating sheer panels was a dress that was made for me. The dress hugged my breasts and hips and fell into an A-line to the floor that was stunning paired with my black slingback heels.
“Green has always been your color, hasn’t it, Greer?” His deep, velvety voice floated over me as he reached up and brushed his hand down my bare arm. “Although I don’t think you could wear anything that could make you look less than gorgeous.”
“Have you been drinking, Apollo?” I murmured. His words shocked me. Never had Apollo uttered a word like the ones falling from his lips. They were words I had always wished he would say but never heard. I was just Kane’s little sister to him.
“I haven’t touched a drop of liquor all night, Greer.”
I tilted my head and looked up into Apollo’s dark, mesmerizing emerald eyes. I couldn’t help but let a smile settle on my lips. If only Apollo knew the reason why green was my favorite color. His eyes were what my dreams were made of, and since the age of thirteen, when I first met him, green became my favorite color. “Bump your head today?” I guessed. There had to be some reason why he was telling me I was gorgeous.