55

Chapter 55

Jason walked onto the stage from the side, smiling at the applause, surveying the crowd. He waved at the people who were playfully screaming his name, stopping to make eye contact and say “hello” with those he knew personally. As he continued to look over the audience, his gaze veered towards the beverage bar and his eyes met mine.

He stopped walking and blinked. He opened his mouth like he was about to say something, but then he turned towards the crowd again and smiled as he took to the podium.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” he spoke.

“Good evening,” the crowd responded.

“As many of you know, this week is about fostering new friendships, and rekindling ones that may have gotten lost in the madness that is technological advancement. That said, I’m looking forward to reconnecting with all of you—no, just a few of you...”

The crowd laughed.

“Mr. Lowell isn’t a man of many words and he only wanted me to say a few things: Let’s make sure that this conference is as unforgettable as the ones that came before it, and that tonight—the first night—is all pleasure and no business whatsoever. We have all week for that.” He flipped over a notecard. “To the newest attendees, be sure to network with those who are in your same field and choose your morning sessions very wisely. To those who have been here before, I’m sure I don’t need to say much about how this works. And to those who are here with a date,” he said as his eyes met mine again, “there are plenty of things for you to do here during the day if you choose not to accompany your date to the tech events. Thank you all so much. Enjoy the rest of your night.” He kept his eyes on me as the audience clapped, and then he walked off the stage, shaking hands with whoever stepped in front of him.

I turned around and made myself another drink. Then I felt an arm wrap around my waist.

Jason?

“So, this is where you disappeared.” Damien laughed. “Are you having a good time so far?”

“Yes.” I need to get out of here...“Could you tell me where the restrooms—” I felt Jason getting close before I could see him. That electrical current that rushed through my veins whenever he was nearby suddenly shocked me into silence.

“What were you saying, Olivia?”

“Good evening, Mr. Edwards.” Jason’s deep voice made both of us turn around. “It’s interesting to see you again.”

“Well, well well, it’s Jason Ice.” Damien pulled me closer, making Jason clench his jaw. “I’m shocked you didn’t bring up your new sPhone red in your speech. Are you actually becoming classier or are you taking classes on how not to be an asshole?”

“I’m taking classes—from the same lawyer who handles your divorces. Has he prevented your ex-wife from suing you for all your worth yet or wait—how many ex-wives do you exactly have now? Three? Four? Are we counting the six week wife from Vegas these days?”

“Touché.” Damien rolled his eyes. “Via, this is the royal pain in my ass I’ve been telling you about—Jason Ice, and Jason, this is my girlfriend, Via Donovan.”

“Girlfriend?”

“Yes, girlfriend. She used to work as a director in your marketing department. Small world, right?”

“Too small.”

“Mr. Edwards?” A woman tapped Damien’s shoulder. “We have Tamisha J. from our overseas headquarters here to see you. She wants a quick picture if you don’t mind.”

“Not at all.” He kissed my cheek. “Be right back, sweetheart. Jason...” He walked away.

I looked up at Jason and we stared at one another, not saying a word for what felt like an eternity. My heart was pounding against my chest, my nerves were jumping up and down, and the palpable electricity between us was pulling me closer and closer to him.

Even though his eyes were cold and his lips were pressed into a subtle scowl, he looked sexier than he’d ever looked before.

I took a few steps forward, without taking my eyes off him, and tried to keep it together. “Jason...I am so sor—”

“I didn’t leave you with my competition for too long did I?” Damien pulled me against his side. He kissed my cheek again and I could see a vein in Jason ’s neck swelling.

“Have you heard about Hannigan from TruCorp, Jason?” He didn’t wait for him to respond. “Differences aside, I think he’s really onto something with his new data configuration board. It looks pretty promising.”

“I’ll have to look into that.” Jason stated dryly. “Thank you, Damien.”

“What are bitter rivals for? I’m actually glad you decided to show up here for a change. It’ll make for a more interesting week.”

“Yes.” Jason narrowed his eyes at me. “It will definitely be interesting.”

******

Olivia

Coming here is the worst decision I’ve ever made...

I was sitting near the edge of the resort’s private beach, pretending to read my e-reader, but secretly watching Jason walk alongside the shore with another woman. However, this woman wasn’t just any woman. She was Stacy Rodriguez, world class supermodel and designer extraordinaire. She was easily one of the sexiest women in the world—beautifully tanned and slim body with naturally huge breasts, wavy jet black hair, and dark gray eyes with speckles of light blue that glimmered in the sunlight.

I’d been watching her and Jason all day: At the conference’s first breakfast, they’d sat too close for comfort, laughing at little private jokes that I’d strained to hear. While Damien and I were taking a tour of the art gallery, I’d looked down from the windows and saw the two of them having a private picnic on a blanket below. I’d even seen the two of them driving carts around the resort’s perfectly trimmed golf course while we were eating our lunch.

“Stop it, Jason!” She squealed as he tossed her into the water.

I jumped up, tempted to run over there and slap him for letting her get that close to him, for letting her touch him. Yet, I quickly sat back down, realizing that too many people were around and I didn’t want to make a scene.

Jealous, I put down my e reader and narrowed my eyes at the sappy scene that was playing in front of me.

How can he possibly be upset with me about Damien when he’s dating a damn supermodel? And of all supermodels, Stacy Rodriguez, the most famous one?

“Daiquiri?” Damien stood in front of me with an umbrella drink.

“Please.”

“You’ll have to pay me for it first...”

“What? What do you—”

He bent down and kissed me—a slow, passionate, ‘I-know-this-is-making-you-melt’ kiss. He tilted my chin up, pushing his tongue further and further into my mouth, softly biting down on my bottom lip each time I tried to control the pace.

I didn’t care though; I kept trying to force him to let me take the lead. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressed myself against him, and let my tongue explore every inch of his mouth.

“Whoa...” Damien pulled away from me. “Kiss me like that again and we’ll have to lock ourselves in the suite for the rest of the week.” He smiled and handed me the drink.

I took a sip and saw Jason staring at me out the corner of my eye, knowing that he’d just seen me kiss Damien.

His fists were balled at his side, his face was a deadly red, and his eyes were thin slits. He took a few steps in my direction but Stacy grabbed his hand and tugged him down the shore.

“Are you okay, Via?” Damien put his arm around my shoulder. “Is something wrong with the drink?”

“The drink is great...” I tore my eyes away from Stacy and Jason. “What other events are happening today?”

“Well, I have a few tech sessions to go to this evening, but there’s the late night benefit ball at midnight.”

“There’s literally a ball every night this week? I thought you were joking...”

“I wasn’t. It’s a tax break thing.” He laughed. “There’s an early entry for the highest contributors, so you and I will have to be there a little early.”

“What happens at early entry?”

“It’s just a bit more intimate than the regular ball—dimmer lights, small candle-lit dinner, and first dibs on the silent auction items. If you want anything that’s up for bid, let me know and I’ll buy it for you.”

“Oh, I probably won’t even go near—”

He pulled me on top of him. “You should...And you should let me buy whatever you want.” He placed a light kiss on my lips. “I want you to enjoy yourself this week so don’t be shy about doing things that make you happy.”

He began rubbing my back and I looked over my shoulder—to see if Jason was watching, but Damien turned my head back around to face him. He slipped his tongue into my mouth again and all my thoughts blurred, leaving me lost once more.

––––––––

“Just like that, Via...Two steps forward, one step back...Very good...”

Damien spun me out of his arms and quickly drew me back. “You’re a wonderful dancer, Via. Did you learn or are you a natural?”

“I learned...”

“Well, whoever taught you is one hell of a teacher. I’m impressed.” He placed his hands around my waist and I leaned against his chest.

As we waltzed around the dance floor, I started to wonder if I could develop feelings for him with time, if he and I might have a chance after all.

He’d been extra attentive ever since we left the beach: He skipped one of his tech meetings to join me at my massage appointment, arranged for me to take an evening horse riding lesson, and even helped me pick out which dress I should wear tonight.

I leaned against his chest and looked out over the room. It was dark with a few massive candles providing the only light. On the far end of the room—in a corner that was illuminated by a yellow haze, a group of violinists played a beautiful song that reverberated throughout the space.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the lead violinist said as her companions continued to play, “we have a lot more songs that we’re going to play for you tonight, but we want you to know that the lights are about to be slightly brightened since the early entry portion of the ball has ended.”

The few people that were in the room clapped and the lights became a tad bit brighter. I looked around for Jason—I could feel him watching me, but I could only see ten other people in the room and he wasn’t one of them.

Why does it “feel” like he’s here though?

I heard a soft clicking sound, and the doors at the back of the room opened, allowing a large group of tuxedo-clad and ball gown wearing guests into the room.

“As is tradition at the benefit ball, the first fifteen minutes of dance should be with someone that you don’t know. Once everyone is inside, my companions and I will make play three harsh chords to indicate that it’s time to find someone new to dance with, and the lights will dim again.”