Page 17

“Are you here with one of the boys?” she asked, looking more nervous than usual.

Before our encounter, Kiera never acted nervous around me. She was striking, funny, and smart. She could whip out sarcasm like none other. But things had changed after our intimacy. It had ruined our friendship. I’d tried to forget her by avoiding all the social gatherings. I didn’t want to make her feel uncomfortable.

Stop lying.

Seeing Kiera would only make me yearn for something impossible. And here I stood, drowning in the attraction, making me feel like an idiot.

“No. Just me,” I replied, studying the fatigue on her face.

What was bothering her? Why should I care? I should focus on my purpose in Texas. Kiera had already distracted me enough for the past six months.

“Good to see you, man.” Bruno got up from his seat, offering his hand. “What are you doing in Texas?

Bruno’s voice popped the bubble that enveloped Kiera and me from other people at the table. I looked around, finally acknowledging them, and nodded.

“Business.” I shook Bruno’s hand. “What brings you to this scorching state?”

“Another photo shoot.” Bruno turned to the guy next to him and a pretty blonde. “This is Nate and Olivia.”

“Nice to meet you both,” I said.

“Nice to meet you too.” Olivia smiled, examining me.

At a glance, Bruno appeared like a decent event coordinator, but there was more to him. How did he know men who ran illegal businesses? Did he work for them? Or was he a client?

The fashion industry had its own darkness with drugs and shit that could make you famous one night and destroy you the next. Money, power, drugs, and women were requirements for elite clubs. In order for me to get closer to the elite members, I had to wiggle my way in by befriending their associates.

Bruno and I weren’t friends, but we could be acquaintances. I had to keep a closer eye on him for Kiera. Though a strange wall stood between us, I still considered her my friend. I didn’t want anything to happen to her.

If he had any inappropriate intentions with her, I’d skewer him.

Bruno pulled over an extra chair, placed it next to him, and gestured to me. “Join us.”

If I didn’t have a different agenda for tonight, I’d certainly accept his offer. But there was something else I had to take care of first.

“Thanks, but I’m meeting a friend tonight. Enjoy your dinner.” My gaze slid over to Kiera, whose brown eyes fixated on me. My heart thudded, remembering how she’d looked when I took her in my bed. Was she thinking that too? “See you later, Kiera.”

“Later,” she said.

I took my time walking away and trained my ears on their conversation.

“Who’s the hunk?” Olivia asked.

“A friend.”

“Is he single?”

“Probably not.” The sound of Kiera’s voice warmed and prickled my back.

Curious, I peered over my shoulder and met her gaze. She darted her eyes elsewhere, but not before I caught a glimpse of wonder . . . or was it longing?

It couldn’t be lust and longing, could it? The Kiera I knew wasn’t afraid to go after what she wanted.

“Forrest, over here!” Levi called.

I ambled over to him at a table that still offered a view of Kiera and Bruno.

“Scoot over.” I shifted my chair to ensure I could see them.