Page 82

I do love Tae, with all my heart, but that's a different type of love. That love is incomparable to any other.

I think.

Pursing my lips, I slide them back and forth along the layers of red lipstick.

Maybe after the life I’ve had, I'm incapable of real connection. I didn't have anyone to lean on, no one to really trust and depend on. But now there's Trey. But is great sex and dependability love? I'd rather be around him than anyone else. I trust him wholeheartedly. I'd do anything for him and know he feels the same. My heart races when he's around, but that could also be because he's smoking hot and always looks damn edible in his tailored suits and sexy smirks.

Where’s the line between lust and love? And how do you know which side you're on?

I pitch forward slightly as the SUV comes to a slow stop. With a deep breath, I turn, angling my knees toward the door, preparing to step out once it opens. Warm summer air breezes through the SUV as the door swings outward. A dark mitt of a hand extends into the SUV. With a small smile on my perfectly painted lips, I grasp T's hand and step out onto the path.

“No seat belt?” he grumbles as he flicks his gaze from me to the back seat.

I shake my head, the soft waves of my dark hair gliding along my exposed back. “It would wrinkle the dress.”

“Wrinkles or potential death by being thrown through glass. Yeah, I can see how wrinkles won out.”

My red-tipped fingers pat his wide shoulder. “It's okay, T. I'm here and safe. No more worrying. We won, remember?” My smile grows wider as I take in the beautiful estate in front of me. “We fucking won.”

“That you did, Randi.” A hint of adoration seeps into his softly spoken words. “Now everyone in DC knows you're someone to reckon with.”

“So, smooth sailing the next few years?” I ask facetiously. Of course, thinking that would be as dumb of me as believing I'll ever have my pet unicorn. No matter how much I wish it, that doesn’t mean it’ll come true. Seriously though, how awesome would it be to have a pet that could impale people? It could be my secret assassin. “That would be so cool. Death by unicorn.”

“I don't even want to know.” T chuckles.

The thick summer air feels heavy on my exposed skin as I walk toward the front door, which swings open the moment I'm close. Candles flicker inside, creating a warm feel to the space while the glittering chandeliers sparkle and dazzle with their brilliance. Most conversations stop as I move through the crowd. The weight of a thousand eyes tugs at my shoulders, but I continue forward, my gaze set on the most beautiful thing in this room.

The bar.

I order a bourbon on the rocks and take the cool highball glass from the bartender’s extended hand. Turning, I survey the room. Most of the faces I know, and most I don't like, but hey, it's politics—no one likes each other. My searching gaze lands on one sneering face. Lifting my glass, I tip it toward Mr. Hindle. Why the fuck he's here, who knows. Not my party.

A calloused hand caresses my shoulder. I smile behind the thin glass at my lips.

“Careful, Paul went to a lot of trouble to cover up my tattoos. He'll be pissy if you mess up his work.”

“And Tiny will be pissed when he learns you covered up his art.”

“Touché.”

Finally I slide my gaze to Trey, and my stomach flips. Fuck, he's gorgeous. The dark navy suit fits him perfectly, showing off his long muscular legs and trim waist. The crisp cream dress shirt brightens his honey eyes, which are just as greedily taking in every inch of me as I am him.

“You look stunning,” he says, leaning close and ghosting a kiss to my left cheek.

“Same, handsome,” I reply with a wide smile. Taking another sip, I allow the smooth burn down my throat to ground me. I can't jump him in a roomful of people. “How's thehappy coupledoing this evening?”

“Ecstatic, if anyone else is asking,” Jessica says, coming out of nowhere. Sliding her thin pale hand over Trey's shoulder, she shoots me a sympathetic smile. “I'm sorry, Randi. I know… I mean, I didn't… it's not personal, I swear.” She turns her worried gaze to Trey. “I know who his heart belongs to, but… you wouldn't understand.”

Jealousy blurs my thoughts as I glare at her hand on him. This is the first time we’ve been together since Trey revealed everything, and it’s just as awkward as I knew it would be between us.

“Try me,” I deadpan. My grip tightens around the now-slick glass, threatening to shatter it into a million pieces. How can she say it isn’t personal?

Dropping her hand from his shoulder, she holds it out to me. “Let's go somewhere a little more private.”

Ignoring her offered hand, I shoulder past her and Trey toward a more secluded area of the crowded room. Taking a left down a dim hall, I pause after a few steps and turn.

“Explain, then,” I say with a swipe of my hand, indicating Jessica has the floor so to speak.

She wraps her arms around her middle, her eyes flicking from me to the floor and back again.