"Everly." Ryan's hand slid possessively around my waist as he approached and he pulled me tight against him. The two men eyed each other but said nothing, and I couldn't help but notice the way August watched Ryan's hand as it slowly moved back and forth over the fabric of my dress. Finally he grabbed his own date for the evening and muttered, "It was nice seeing you, Everly. Enjoy the performance," before disappearing into the crowd.
"What the hell was that all about?" Ryan barked, turning me to face him as he looked me over from head to toe. His eyes were full of worry and concern, I linked our hands together and placed my head on his shoulder.
"Nothing. It was nothing. I just ran into him on my way to finding you."
"I don't like seeing you around him," he gritted through his teeth as I felt his lips touch my forehead.
"I know. I don't like it either," I answered. I avoided his gaze as I wondered if I'd just added one more lie to the ever growing pile.
"So, who is she playing?" Ryan asked, looking down at the playbill. I rolled my eyes and giggled at his ignorance. He'd never been to a ballet in his life and probably never would have gone if I hadn't made him come tonight.
"Odette," I answered, pointing to the first page, where the principal cast was listed. His eyes lit up in recognition, and he watched as I flipped toward the middle where the bios and pictures were.
"Hey, look! There she is," he said, a note of pride in his voice. Although Sarah and Ryan didn't hang out all the time, they had grown closer over the last year and a half, and a mutual friendship had blossomed. I was glad to see him here supporting her-even if I'd kind of had to drag him out the door when he'd found out he had to wear a suit.
Support was support-even if it was forced, right?
I managed to pop a breath mint and stow my purse under the seat only seconds before the lights dimmed and the orchestra began their opening notes to tune up. The conductor entered the orchestra pit and took a bow, then quickly raised his hands and began. My eyes were fixed on the stage, ready for when Sarah might enter.
I really should have checked the playbill.
Snagging it out of Ryan's hand, I turned it toward the stage for light and realized she wouldn't come on for several scenes. My excitement died down a bit and my eyes began to wander.
Don't look for him, Everly. Don't do it.
But I didn't need to look.
I already knew where he was. He'd always sat in the same seat-the best in the house.
"August-why do we always sit here?" I asked, glancing around at the large, private box seats set high above the stage. The first time we'd sat here the height had been a little alarming, but as soon as the show began I'd forgotten all about it. I loved everything about the performing arts-the songs, the passion of the actors, and technique and dedication of the dancers. I'd never once done anything so daunting in my life, and yet I was fascinated by it.
"Because they're the best," he'd simply answered, taking my hand in his and squeezing as we both watched the modern ballet unfold below. So different from the classical pieces I was used to, this performance pushed boundaries and brought a completely new style to dance. I was mesmerized watching the couple as they moved together across the stage. He lifted her with ease, sliding her down his body, until she fell gracefully to the floor. As he moved to hover above her, I felt August's hand cup my knee. His mere touch sent fire through my veins.
I glanced over my shoulder but August shook his head. "We're alone," he whispered, motioning to the tightly pulled curtain behind us. My heart hammered in anticipation of what he had planned as I glanced down at the hundreds of unsuspecting patrons below.
I'd tried to keep my focus on the beautiful couple as they'd moved through the passionate routine, but the further his hand moved up my thigh, the harder it became to breathe at a normal rate.
"Spread your legs wider," he instructed, his voice hoarse and commanding.
As I did as he requested, I thanked the heavens the balcony was high enough to cover my less than ladylike posture. And that it was dark.
I was very, very glad it was dark.
"Let go, Everly," he whispered as his hand slowly disappeared between my thighs.
I exhaled deeply, and my eyes fluttered shut for the briefest moment as I did exactly what he said.
I let go.
And it was exhilarating.
"Everly, did you hear me?" Ryan's voice cut through the memory like a sharp knife, reminding me of exactly where I was. I blinked several times and sat up straight, looking right at the stage.
Sarah had made her grand entrance.
And I'd missed it.
"Is that her?" he asked, obviously for the second time.
"Yes," I said softly, watching her every movement as she danced across the stage.
I'd missed her entrance.
Because I'd been thinking of him. I willed myself not to glance up, not to give in to the curiosity that was churning inside me to know what he looked like up there without me.
Was he doing the same thing up there with her?
Why did it matter?
Pay attention to Sarah.
I made it through the entire first act without a single glance upward. The heavy red curtain pulled tightly closed and the applause died down, and people made their way out to the lobby for refreshments and bathroom breaks. I finally gave in and found myself looking into the eyes of the man I'd sworn I'd never love again.
The man I'd walked away from years ago.
The same man I couldn't stop thinking about.
"She did great, didn't she?" Ryan boasted as we made our way out of the theater.
"Yeah," I smiled, remembering her beautiful body twirling and spinning with ease across the grand stage. "She was beautiful."
"Are all ballets that long?" he asked, squeezing my hand, making me laugh as I leaned my head toward his.
"Yes-and I promise I won't take you to another."
"Thank you!" His voice rang out in reverence, causing me to roll my eyes. I caught a whiff of his hair as we took the last step toward the sidewalk. He still hadn't switched back to his normal shampoo yet and smelled like strawberries.
"Are you ever going to go to the store and get shampoo?" I asked, with an amused smile.
His hand reached up to his head, running his fingers through his messy hair. "Probably not. You never forget to buy that fruity shit you're always using and I kind of like smelling like you," he admitted with a wide grin.
"You're weird," I said, shaking my head as we turned the corner. There were tons of people flooding out of the theater. The sidewalks were packed-people were waiting for taxis, climbing into limos, and walking to distant parking spaces like us.
My eyes began to wander, looking over the crowd, searching for someone. I hadn't even realized who I was looking for until my eyes settled on him.
Without thought, I'd managed to find August in a crowd.
Instantly, regret filled my belly, but I couldn't turn away as I watched him carefully escort his date into the back of a sleek, black car. His hands lingered around her waist, casually dipping lower as he followed her into the car, severing my connection right before I took a nosedive into a gigantic pothole.
"You all right, Ev?" Ryan asked, catching me as I stumbled. Brushing it off, I gave him a sideways smile and nodded.
"Just fine," I answered. "I'm just fine."
I looked back one last time as the car carrying August and his date pulled into traffic. Wrapping my arm around Ryan, I tried to tune out the mental images that were threatening to drive me insane.
I've moved on and so should he, I told myself.
Even if it is with a floozy redhead.
As we silently approached our car, I wondered how many lies you could tell yourself before you went insane. Because thanks to August, I was definitely starting to believe I was on my way to being committed.
Chapter Twelve
August
No words were said between Meg and me on the drive back to my house.
I didn't even bother asking if she wanted to come home with me-I just assumed, or didn't give her the opportunity to say no. After the evening I'd just had, I didn't want to be alone, and even though I'd rather be with just about anyone else on the planet, currently she was my only option.
So, the car drove on.
And I thought.
Tonight had started off harmlessly-another experiment in life to discover who the new August Kincaid was. But the moment I ran into Everly, I knew the carefree night I'd envisioned was gone.
She made everything complicated.
Just seeing her made me confused, and it wasn't something I could fix by simply picking out my favorite amongst a few options-because she was definitely off the menu. And somewhere deep down-that bothered me.
A lot.
The black sedan came to a stop, and I looked up to realize we had made it back to the cliffs. Meg's eyes were wide with wonder as she took in the large house and affluent neighborhood.