An appetizer platter is set on our table and the next half an hour goes by in a blur as people visit to congratulate me.
Finally, I look to Violet who is smiling as another couple head down to the gaming floor and I’m about to ask if she wants to play any games when Jagger and Jessa approach the table. Jag has apology written all over his face as he approaches and I can see that his sister’s eyes are razor-sharp and on Violet.
25
Violet
Numbers is impressive.
Killian certainly seems to have a head for business. With this in addition to what I saw at Genesis last night, he is making sure he hits multiple demographics of people who want entertainment. He’s got things covered across his clubs from people in their twenties who want a fun adult arcade party experience, onwards to successful and mature people who want a night out in an upscale environment where they can buy top shelf drinks and sit on luxurious furniture and still play gambling games or watch sporting events.
I’m impressed.
I’m about to tell Killian this when a couple approaches the table.
The guy has dark hair and blue eyes. He looks like a movie star. The gorgeous blonde at his side is looking at me, though, and she’s looking at me with daggers shooting from her eyes.
I get a rush of butterflies. This sensation is not too different from the bad flutters I got when Ray’s bookie and his wife came to the table earlier. Thankfully, the guy didn’t seem to know who I was.
“Jägermeister,” Killian greets with a drawl, standing up and doing a bro-shake and a bro hug simultaneously with the other guy who heartily hugs back, while giving me a wide smile.
And then there’s a beat of tension before definite animosity as Killian looks at the woman beside him. “Don’t pull any shit here, Jess. So help me,” he warns.
I watch, surprised at the sinister look that crosses his face just briefly before his expression blanks out.
The woman rolls her eyes and then puts her arms around his neck and tries to rub her nose over his like an Eskimo kiss. “Not to worry, Pooky, I’ll be sweet.”
He laughs, but it’s a hollow sound while he detaches her in a way that I can see is assertive but not abusive. I’m sure he wouldn’t want to draw attention with all the eyes on him tonight, but despite knowing nothing about her, I’d wager a guess she wants to draw attention.
She looks at me with a smug expression.
“Guys, this is Violet. Violet, Jagger is an old friend, and this is his evil twin sister, Jessa.”
“More than an old friend. Old girlfriend.” She winks, getting a message across loud and clear.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Killian grumbles.
“Oh c’mon. If this were the bible days, they’d have declared us married,” she says with a big toothpaste commercial smile.
“Jessa,” Jagger warns from behind her, then he pipes up. “We’re on our way to go bowling. You guys wanna play?” He then sips his drink, eyes on Killian and if I’m not mistaken, dancing with amusement like there’s a private joke.
Killian rolls his eyes. “Not quite. And fuck off, Jag,” he says under his breath.
Jagger slaps his back in a way that looks like a typical buddy ribbing.
Killian signals to someone across the space, then looks at me. “Excuse us one moment, Violet. I’ll be right back.”
I smile in reply and watch him walk Jagger down the three steps near our table down to the gaming floor level, his hand on Jagger’s shoulder. Jessa looks over her shoulder at me with a grimace and then she gives Killian a flirty look, which it doesn’t seem like he even notices. She made that face for my benefit, clearly.
I reach for my drink and take a sip, then nab the tablet in the center of the table to occupy myself.
Killian’s employee Guy comes to the table. “Would you like the rest of your tour?”
“Oh.” I look up. “Thanks, but I’ll wait for Killian to come back.”
“He asked me to take you, if you’d like. He’s busy for a few minutes. But no pressure,” he says. “I can also sit with you.”
“Oh. Okay. In that case…”
I set the device down, then rise and grab my wristlet and follow him. He crooks an arm when we get to the stairs and I take it as we descend.
***
I’m in the middle of kicking Guy’s ass at Dance Dance Revolution, my shoes on the floor when I see Killian, standing there, arms folded across his chest, a huge smile on his face.
I fumble and miss a few dance steps and then I’m just laughing in hysterics as Guy hoots and howls that he’s kicking my ass, not missing any of his steps.
I try to finish, but make a few more missteps as my and Killian’s gazes are locked. He looks amused. He also looks at me in a way that… I feel seen.
I feel seen in a way I haven’t felt for a long time.
The song ends and I still win, despite my fumbles.
“Killian, man. You saved me from being skunked.” Guy pouts and gives me a hug and then shakes Killian’s hand with a wink and a thumbs up.
“That’s okay,” I say, tugging my dangling lanyard to remove my card from the machine and wrapping it around my wrist as I point at Guy. “Because you skunked me at Mortal Kombat and that car racing game. We tied on the basketball game so at least I have a little bit of dignity.”
“A woman who fumbles when she sees you, despite her competitive streak… good sign for you, man,” Guy says and pats Killian on the back and then wanders away, winking at me as he goes.
I laugh, but I’m feeling a little embarrassed by that comment.
“Havin’ fun?” Killian asks me, smiling.
“Yes, but I’m so thirsty. Where’s my purse?” I squat to grab my drink and wristlet from the floor and take a healthy sip.
“So, does Guy suck at basketball or are you good at it?”
I look at him and deadpan, “I fucking rock at basketball. High school girls basketball team,” I add jerking my thumb at myself.
I work to get my shoes back on, noting Killian is watching me with laser-sharp focus. He reaches out and I accept, taking his forearm and using it to help me gain balance getting my mile-high shoes onto my feet. I pull a lock of hair from my mouth and give him a smile.
He’s looking at me with a very serious look on his face, though, and my smile isn’t contagious.
26
Killian
That smile, those dimples of hers, they’re doing me in. Watching her shaking her hips, seeing her laugh, how she fumbled when she saw me – it’s making it hard for me to keep a lid on the cravings that consume my thoughts.
“Sorry to leave you so long,” I say.
“Oh,” she shrugs and waves at me dismissively, “I was having fun. This place is great. And it’s your big night. Plus it’s not like this is really a date, so don’t feel like you have to be…so…chivalrous, err attentive. You know what I mean.”
I frown at her. And now I’m pissed off.
“This is a date, Violet.”
She flinches and her lips part in surprise.
I lean in and run my nose up the space behind her ear, informing, “You’re mine for two weeks, remember?”