“It’s okay, Cathy.” Keanne’s calm voice made Cathy look up. “I have no problems going alone.”
Less than two hours later, Keanne was trying to convince herself that she meant what she had said earlier. She did not mind that people were wondering why she was not accompanied by Jason Christakos.
She knew what they were all thinking. She was Keanne Summers, the heiress who once had an affair with her married teacher and had caused the death of his hapless wife. She was Keanne Summers, the wild child who did not deserve to have Jason Christakos as a champion. She was Keanne Summers, an incurable flirt just like her Mama.
All eyes were on her when she entered her private box in the auditorium. Keanne lifted her chin. They could stare all they wanted. She was not going to give them the satisfaction of knowing they made her feel self-conscious and ashamed.
Behind Keanne, she heard the sound of the curtains twitching. She didn’t look back, knowing it was the waiter about to ask what her order was.
A dark shadow fell over her and Keanne looked up, her eyes widening when instead of a uniformed waiter, her gaze clashed with the bright blue gaze of Jason Christakos.
What was he doing here?
Shock made it impossible for Keanne to talk while love made it hard for her to breathe. Jason looked incredibly gorgeous in his tux, its perfect fit emphasizing the impressive breadth of his shoulders, the strength of his chest, and his long lean form.
His voice was warm and apologetic, its tone carrying a great distance, and Keanne knew that Jason wanted to be heard. “I’m sorry for being late.” A smile curved on his lips, but it did not reach his eyes.
“You do not---”
“But I do have to apologize,” Jason interrupted her smoothly, a mocking gleam in his eyes. She had been about to tell him that he didn’t have to come to her rescue tonight, and he knew it.
He took the seat next to her, Jason pretending he did not notice her sharply drawn breath at his proximity. Her perfume tantalized him, a scent that was both disarmingly gentle and seductive, just like its owner.
Keanne.
He was hard, embarrassingly so, and all because he was seated next to Keanne. Was this fucking normal? Did he really want her so much or was it simply because she was forbidden fruit? Lilac was still in his heart. He knew it as well as he knew his name, but it appeared to be a fact that his body no longer recognized.
All his body craved was satisfaction – as soon as possible, and the kind that only Keanne could give.
Her eyes were flashing silver fire at him, and when she opened her mouth to speak, he beat her to it. He warned Keanne coolly, “Do not make a scene. You will regret it.”
Her lips stretched into a smile even as she demanded, “What are you doing here?”
“Stalking you,” he answered in a sardonic tone. It was the blasted truth, but Jason knew Keanne wouldn’t take his word for it. And he was glad for that because he did not want Keanne to know how much control she had over him.
Stalking her.
If only that was true.
Turning her attention back to the stage, which was still concealed in darkness, Keanne murmured sotto voce, “If you came here to ensure that I will not take my life because of heartbreak, then I give you my word I will not kill myself over you.” A smile played on her lips, one that did not reach her silvery eyes either. “You do not deserve such devotion.”
“I know.”
Two words, spoken simply, truthfully, and so readily, and that was it. She was slayed.
Lights burst out from the ceiling, music pouring out from the speakers. The play had started, but Keanne only had eyes for him, her beautiful Jason, her sun god.
Her heart cried out with such love for him it became near impossible to breathe again. Had she really thought she could push her love away so easily? It was as inescapable as the rays of the sun, which touched every inch of the earth.
“I hate you.” Before he could speak – before he could agree with her – she said quietly, “You know I don’t mean it.” Her voice caught. “I won’t kill myself because you can’t love me, Jason, but you know I didn’t mean the other thing.” Not looking at him, she continued in a low but vehement whisper, “You are worthy of such devotion.”
Eighteen years old.
She was so young and yet she could be so generous and emotionally mature, able to say what she felt without any fear of being hurt again. How far she had come, Jason thought bleakly. He had done his best to take her out of the darkness, but what she had become far exceeded his expectations. She hadn’t just left the darkness. Now, she shone so brightly, so full of life and vitality that she had become a guiding star in his life, blazing brightly to show him the way.