Page 33 of Lovely Venom

He stills. “How do you—”

I glance at his breast pocket and the table card with his name peeking out. I lift it and show it to him.

“You know my name.” His voice drips with menace. “But do you know who the fuck I am?”

I went to bed with a hot stranger. I didn’t care how powerful he was.

“You’re Connor Quinlan.” I bat my eyelashes. “Originally from Dublin? Gallway?”

He narrows his eyes. “Waterford. The accent is quite distinct.”

I shrug. “Never been to the Emerald Isle. And I never heard of Waterford.”

A series of chimes signal that the cocktail hour is over, and donors should make their way to their tables.

“I’m sure there’s room at my table.” He holds out his arm. “Have dinner withme.”

This man is used to getting exactly what he wants. Something tells me letting him get too close this soon isn’t the best way to proceed. He’ll figure me out.

“Meet you at the dessert cart later?” I wink and put down my empty flute.

“I miss you already,” he breathes against my cheek.

And before he can say something else to melt my panties, I spin on my heel and disappear into the crowd.

With every step, my heart pounds, expecting Connor to chase after me. Hearing nothing but my heartbeat, I look over my shoulder and take in the empty sidewalk.

“Well, damn.”

CHAPTER TWELVE

Raina

Ishove this ridiculous dress over my head the second I’m inside Valdrin’s Benz, barely managing to keep my butt from hitting the window in the process.

“At leastwait until I’m away from the Warwick before you give everyone on Museum Row a view of your ass,” Valdrin snorts from the driver’s seat.

From the bag he kept in the car for me, I take out my black leggings. “How long has it been since you’ve seen a woman’s ass, Val?”

He clears his throat as he swings into traffic. “None of your business.”

I pull on the leggings, a cropped black T-shirt, and then tug on my leather jacket. The familiar fit grounds me.

“This is better,” I mutter, sliding into my comfy black Skechers. “This is me.”

“You were playing a role. Your father would be proud,” Valdrin compliments me with a catch in his throat.

I shoot him a wry smile. “Any chance you want to tell me more about him? He’s the reason I’m doing this. The reason I have to marry Noel.”

Not.

“Relax.” Valdrin pats my arm from the front seat. “In time, you’ll know everything. What happened to your hair?”

I check both sides, realizing I’m missing a comb. “One of the combs must have fallen out. I’m sorry.” I remove the other one and hand it to him. “Were they expensive?”

“They belonged to my sister.” He takes the one comb from me,sounding grim.

“God, Val. I’m sorry.” I sit up. “Let’s go back to the Warwick right now. I’ll look for it. I didn’t make it past the bar.”