Seconds.
I’m not sure how long I stand in my solitude, but my feet ache, and my drink is now empty. As I redistribute my weight to the balls of my feet to relieve the pain, I feel a body step behind me. The heat radiates through me, and my breath hitches in my chest.
“Ava,” the gravelly voice says.
My heart races. Ryder.
All logic has left my brain.
I step away from the voice, moving closer to the adjacent wall, and turn around. Ryder steps forward, his gaze penetrating me. I suck in air quickly as he leans in, his mouth dangerously close to mine.
“Hello, Ava. Looking at you is as if I am looking at a painting of a goddess. Your beauty leaves me breathless.” His sapphire eyes sparkle as his husky voice seduces me. I nervously smile and bite my lip. “It really is such a shame you don’t see how captivating you are.” He lowers his face and looks closer into my eyes.
How’d he know that? It’s like he actually sees me, all of my secrets sitting right there. It’s the craziest feeling, but I feel like I’ve known him all my life. Words feel unnecessary with him. At this moment all of my feelings are conveyed by the way I am losing myself in his eyes.
I am lost…
I am found…
I never want to pull away.
“What a pleasure it is to finally see you, and here, what a coincidence.” He laughs. When he doesn’t speak I realize I’m obviously not privy to his inside joke. It doesn’t matter though…his words are playful, I’m sure it was nothing. His eyes dance with delight as he takes in my obvious discomfort. I move my eyes away from him, away from his scrutiny. He follows my gaze as my eyes scan the room to make sure no one can see us.
"This painting reminds me of you,” he says, looking behind me. I turn my body to take in the view.
On the wall, in a white mounted frame, is a woman. Her eyes are half-mast, and her mouth is parted ever so slightly. Her facial features aren’t well-defined, rather swirls of color. The colors are muted grey, white, and black. Only red bleeds off the canvas in bright rivulets. Her face is cracked and flawed. She appears vulnerable and haunted.
Ryder turns my body back to him. His eyes lock on mine.
"From far away, she is exquisite—impeccable.” His eyes peer into my soul. “But up close she is broken.”
"What do you see when you look at her?” His words sear me, ripping me out of the confines of my denial.
"She is broken," I agree, my is voice low, almost a whisper.
"She is shattered, and yet she is still perfect.”
I understand his full meaning. His words are absolute, and I believe them.
“Your beauty captivates me. I feel an immense desire to talk to you and not just online. Would you like to meet me?” As he speaks I am lost in his eyes, His mouth moves, but I am so enthralled I can’t make out his words.
“Ava…”
“Hmm, what?”
“It would be my pleasure to take you out for a drink one day.”
My cheeks become hot, and I blush crimson as I contemplate my answer.
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea Ryder.”
“Why? We talk all the time, Ava.”
“That’s different.”
“We can meet to discuss my new book?”
“Oh. I guess that would be…Yes. That’s fine then.” My voice is low, almost a whisper.
“I’ll message you.” He turns and walks away, leaving me disoriented.
Not even a goodbye…
As he strides away, I’m left standing alone, perplexed and shaking my head. What the hell was that? Never have I been this affected by someone.
I’m ripped from the confines of my mind when Alexandre’s voice rings through the air. Where the heck did he come from? Shit…did he see me talking to Ryder? “Ava, are you ready to leave?” I look down at my diamond encrusted Chopard watch…
When did an hour pass?
“Yes, Alexandre, we can go.” My voice is still unnerved from the interruption.
I step aside and walk past him. As I make my way toward the exit, I can see Natasha staring at us. Alexandre walks up to her, leaning in for a goodbye kiss. His lips are dangerously close to her mouth. Her arm lays on his in an act of familiarity I’m not so sure I am comfortable with. He whispers something into her ear, and she throws her head back in a laugh and smiles brightly. He is now laughing, too; I miss that side of Alexandre. It has been a long time since I have seen him openly laugh like that. The level of intimacy between them left me uncomfortable. Anger starts to rise. I look across the gallery and standing in the center of the room talking to an older brunette, is Ryder. I lock eyes with him, and a calm falls over my body. The corner of his mouth twitches ever so slightly, and a devilish smile appears. His eyes are mischievous as if he knows how affected I am by him. Then out of nowhere, Ryder’s face changes, and it becomes unreadable, now a blank page. With one last look he turns, breaking the spell. Lost in my thoughts, I don’t notice Alexandre approach.