Chapter 3 I Don't Belong Here

Amaya

I felt him watching me before I laid eyes on him, and somehow, without looking, I knew it was the same guy who had been there in the pool earlier while I'd been reading. I hadn't let him catch me staring then, but I had snuck a few looks at him over the top of my book at that sculpted body, the dark hair, the strong jaw and cheekbones. He was a knockout, no question, and when I looked up from the conversation I was embroiled in with one of the potential donors I was scouting out for the library, my heart skipped in my chest.

He must have known I didn't belong here, that I'd borrowed this dress a week earlier from a friend of mine and that all the jewelry I was wearing was pretty far cry from authentic precious metal. No matter that I was here for a damn good reason, I felt so out of place at this gala as though someone would bust me at any moment, figuring out I didn't belong and kicking me to the curb before I could say a word. I sipped on my champagne and turned my attention back to the guy I had been talking to, but the whole time, I found it hard to focus on what he was saying. I could tell that the guy from the pool was staring at me, his gaze burning a hole right through me.

"Here's my card." I finally dipped into my purse and handed the guy one of the cards I'd had printed for the occasion. "We'd love it if you could swing by the library some time. Show you what we're working with."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure I know what you're working with." The guy grinned slowly, the smile spreading out over his face as his eyes traced up and down my body. I managed a stiff smile and stepped away from him. I could do without the perving for tonight. I felt out of place enough without having that creep peering down my cleavage.

I took a deep breath and downed the rest of my champagne. I didn't drink so much these days, and the bubbles were rushing up to my head and making me a little dizzy. Or maybe that was just the thick smell of expensive perfume hanging over this place like a veil. I had spritzed myself down in a little of the body spray I'd had since high school, and I just felt cheap by comparison.

But, as I moved around the room trying to mingle and see who else I could palm my card off on in the hopes they would donate some cash to my library, I noticed that pool guy was still looking at me. In fact, a couple of times, I swear he'd moved to follow my path around the room.

Bright blue eyes met mine confidently every time I looked up, and each time our gazes encountered each other, a flush ran up my neck and something roared to life in my lower stomach. For a while, I was sure he had to be checking out someone else, someone who actually looked like they belonged in a place like this, but as the evening drew on, it was clear I was the only thing he was interested in. And that knowledge sent a shiver running up my spine.

I did my best to pay attention to the people who stopped by to chat me up and made sure to hand out a couple of cards over the course of the evening. A place like this was dripping with money, and I'd have been crazy not to take advantage of it. But it was hard to keep focused when I could see the most improbably gorgeous guy practically stalking me around this place like I was prey and he was hungry.

He moved closer to me as the night drew on, and as the champagne buzzed through me, I found myself flirting straight back at him, flicking my gaze in his direction and even managing a couple of playful little smiles to boot. I had no idea who he was, but plenty of people were keen to stop and talk to him while his attention was squarely focused on me and me alone.

As the evening continued, my confidence began to swell a little. Sure, I had never been to anything like this before, and it still felt a little crazy being surrounded by so much glitz and glamour, but why not take advantage of it while I had the chance? That guy was eyeing me like he owned me, and it had been a long time since I had been able to blow off steam and enjoy myself like this. Life was usually so painfully stressful for me, and I didn't see why I shouldn't have a little fun when the opportunity arose. I had handed out a few cards, sweet-talked some people into giving the library some thought when it came time to donate again this year. It was about time I gave into a little flirtation, no?

I headed to the bathroom to fix up my makeup, checking myself in the mirror. I still didn't entirely recognize myself, even though I'd been wearing this thing for more than an hour. I hadn't been sure about the dress when I put it on. Sure, it was a little tight and clung a little too closely to those curves I was most self-conscious about, but at least it went a long way to enhancing my cleavage and actually giving me some real shape. I ran my fingers carefully through my hair. I had taken the time to blow-dry it up in my room, and it was the only part of this look that I loved. I flashed myself a smile in the mirror, practicing how it would look when I aimed it at him, and my heart fluttered when I thought about what I was about to do.