Conquered: She Who Dares Book Two (22 page)

“Hey, there’s always one. It might as well be you.” He raises an eyebrow at me. “I’ll stop you from doing anything too outrageous, I promise.”

I sigh. “Fine. Drinking it is.” I clink my champagne glass to his beer bottle. “But not drunk. Tipsy.” I point at him to clarify. Harry snorts and downs his beer. Why am I trusting my brother to keep me from embarrassing myself?

Lots of clients are attending the party tonight. It’s a bit of an opportunity for the firm to keep their clients sweet and encourage further business. I don’t think it’s the sort of thing that Theo will come to, but you know what they say; hope for the best, prepare for the worst. I’m pissed at him over the whole Cassie thing, but it’s none of my business. The whole situation is one I have no idea how to deal with, and have no urge to deal with any time soon.

I’m forced to leave my corner when Mr. Simmons waves me over. Joy. Harry just waves me off and bee lines for another blonde. So much for having our own party.

“Ah, Lilly. Mr. Hardy is here. He wanted to speak with you.” The old boy eyes me seriously. Translation, keep him on our side. He gestures to where he stands talking to another man. Hardy is tall and he’s wearing a tux which makes him look more imposing somehow. It’s a known fact that if you put any semi attractive man in an expensive tux, he looks damn good. Hardy is no exception.

“I should probably go and speak with him.” I say sweetly. Simmons smiles as I make my way to Hardy who I think is talking with one of the senior solicitors.

“Ah, Lilly.” He smiles when he see’s me. “Excuse me.” He says to the guy he was talking with. I recognise him, but have no idea who he is. I tend to keep to myself at work.

“Mr Hardy.” I flash him my most charming smile.

“Please, James.” He’s really quite dashing in that seasoned older man way.

“James. I wanted to personally apologise for the situation with the Wyatt buyout.” I say sincerely whilst working all of my charm and assets.

He waves me off. “That’s business Lilly. I don’t hold it against you.”

“Well, I appreciate that. I would hate to think that I’d offended you at all.” I take a sip of my champagne. I’m going to need alcohol if I’m to keep up all this arse kissing.

“Shall we sit.” He offers, gesturing me toward one of the sofa’s.

“Um, sure.” Hey, at least if I’m talking to him then I’m not getting trashed in a corner somewhere. The drinking is preferable, but probably less constructive to my career.

I’m midway through telling him how I came to work for Florell and Simmons, when I feel
him
enter my vicinity. I can’t explain how, it’s just a feeling. Perhaps I’m just attuned to him, or maybe his ego is that big it has its own energy field. I’m going for the latter.

I can’t resist the pull he has on me. I turn and glance over my shoulder. Low and behold, there he is, Theodore Ellis. Just like a bad penny, he’s fucking everywhere. He seems to physically suck all the energy out of the atmosphere until I can’t breathe. He’s wearing a tux and holy shit. He manages to make it look like a piece of art. How is it even possible for someone to look that hot?! Seriously. His eyes snap to mine as though I just called his name. He holds my gaze, and I can’t look away. He reels me in with just a glance. The trance is eventually broken when he diverts his attention to the woman on his arm, the woman I hadn’t noticed until then. I glance at her and she glares at me. She’s blonde and pretty, but leaning toward trashy. She’s the sort of woman I expect to see Hugo with, not Theo. She’s clutching at his arm, and it makes me want to claw at her fucking face. Apparently he’s over it. My chest clenches, and I have concentrate on breathing. I knew it would happen at some point, but actually seeing it is another thing entirely. Fuck, I need to get out of here. Theo catches my eye again, and flashes me a small smile. I turn away from him.

James meets my gaze before his eyes flick over my shoulder. “You should be careful with men like Ellis.” He says quietly.

“I’m sorry.” I almost choke. Personal much?

He huffs out a breath. “You’re a nice girl Lilly. I like you.” Nice wouldn’t be the first word that springs to mind when describing myself. “You can do better.”

“Um, we’re not together.”

He laughs. “From the way he’s looking at you, I think he may have other ideas.”

“Look, I am so sorry he came to your office. That was so far out of line.”

“He is a man who wants something he can’t have. Men of power will go to extremes to get what they want.”

“Having money does not give him the right to be an arsehole.” I mumble into my champagne glass. He laughs loudly. “I’m sorry, that was unprofessional.”

“Not at all.” He smirks. “I thought Ellis was the guy every woman wants.” He sips his glass of champagne.

“It’s complicated.” I shake my head. “Let’s just say, he’s the guy mothers warn their daughters about.”

He smiles. “Mothers warn their daughters about all men. After all, we are all primitive creatures.”

I nod. “That is true.”

I glance over my shoulder again and find Theo leaning against the open doorway. His date is talking to him, but he seems to be ignoring her. His eyes are fixed on me and I feel as though my skin is on fire. I quickly look away from him.

I watch as James’ eyes flick over my shoulder and then back to me. He smiles, and I catch the flash of pity in his eyes.

“Would you like to dance Lilly?” He asks.

“That depends.” I smirk.

“On what?”

“Well, can you actually dance? Because if I wanted to embarrass myself, I’d dance with my brother.” I motion to the dance floor where Harry is doing the three step shuffle with the first blonde.

He grins. “Well, I’m better than your brother.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “That’s not helping your case.”

He grins and shakes his head. “Please, Lilly.” He stands and offers his hand to me. I roll my eyes and take it. He leads me across the pool area and into the building where the bar and the dance floor are. Harry winks at me very unsubtly as I pass him.

I don’t need to look to know that Theo’s eyes are on me. I can practically feel them burning a hole in my back.

James takes me hand and places the other hand at the small of my back. Micheal Buble’s sexy voice drifts through the speakers. He’s right, he is a better dancer than my brother.

“You know Lilly, I would love to take you to dinner sometime.” He says after a few minutes.

I smile politely. James is an attractive man. He’s probably fifteen years older than me, but he’s in good shape. He’s nice, well mannered, not an arsehole….and yet, there’s nothing. I am not attracted to him in any way. I’m dancing with him, but my heart is more focused on the man that I instinctively know is standing in the corner of the room watching me. James doesn’t take my breath away or make my heart beat faster. Now I’ve experienced that, I want it.

That said, James is a decent guy, so I say yes. “That would be great.” I smile politely.

He grins. “Great. I have your number. I’ll call you.” The song finishes and James moves away, telling me he has business to discuss. I’m relieved to be left alone.

I snatch a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and all but inhale it as I make my way back to where Harry is now sat with three girls. I catch sight of Simmons pointing toward me as he talks to some people. Fuck that. Yes, I should be interested in boosting my career, but I have noticed that I’m only ever introduced to male clients. The old boy isn’t stupid.

I change course and make my way back inside. I’m waiting at the bar for some much needed alcohol when a high pitched voice interrupts my silent pining for hard liquor. “He’s over you, you know.”

I turn to see the trashy blonde that was with Theo earlier standing right next to me. She’s even more trashy up close. Too much leg, too much cleavage and too much make up. I smile sweetly at her. “I’m sorry. You are?”

“Arabella. Theo and I go way back.” She smirks at me.

“Arabella, I’m going to give you some advice. First…” I flick my eyes down her body. “Less is more. Second, you shouldn’t start trying to antagonise strangers.” I lean in close and whisper in her ear. “I know you think you’re special sweetheart, but you’re not. In fact, girls like you are ten a penny. The fact that you feel the need to come over here and stake your claim, tells me you have none and you know it.” Her face twists into a sneer. I turn away from her and order my drink. I buy a triple vodka, and manage to find a quiet corner. I just need a moment, and then I’ll be fine. I’ll talk to some clients, forge some future headway and all that jazz.

“Ah, there you are Miss Parker.” Jesus Christ, he’s like a fucking blood hound. I look up into the wide smile of Mr. Simmons. “Mr. Ellis here was just telling me what a marvellous job you’ve done on some of his contracts.”

I take a big gulp of my drink and smile, because that’s the appropriate response right? Where is Harry? He’s supposed to be making this fun. Sitting here, facing my boss and my ex is not fun.

“That’s very kind. Thank you.”

“Well, I have a favour to ask in return Miss Parker.” Theo’s eyes sparkle in the dim light.

“Ask away.” I say flatly. I down the rest of my vodka, not even bothering with bloody pretenses. If Simmons notices my rudeness or my heavy drinking, he doesn’t say anything.

“Dance with me.” He says it like a command, but I can hear the smile in his voice.

“Fine.” I huff. It’s not like I can seriously argue the case in front of my boss. I stand but don’t take his hand. I walk past him to the dance floor where I turn around to face him. He walks to me slowly, an arrogant smirk pulling at his lips. I want to slap that face almost as much as I want to sit on it. He moves closer, his movements confident, strong and ridiculously fucking sexy. As if he himself wasn’t enough…he’s wearing a tux. And fuck my life, he looks edible. Not for the first time, I have to remind myself to hate him. He winds his arm around my waist and I can feel the heat of his hand on the small of my back, through my dress. I place my hands on his shoulders and am sure not to make eye contact with him. I’ll dance with him once and then I’ll go. He can’t make me look at him. This doesn’t have to be intimate if I don’t allow it to be. He pulls me tight against him until my entire body is flush with his and I can feel his breath on my neck. Okay, still not intimate, still not intimate. The song changes to Pull Me Down by Mikky Ekko. It used to be one of my favourite songs, now it just reminds me painfully of him. The first line croons
I heard you were trouble
. Sounds about right. We start to move in a slow circle. Let’s just say this is not the sort of party you can start bumping and grinding at, shame.

“Really Lilly, Hardy? You can do better.” He grates out.

“Funny, he just said exactly the same thing about you.” I snap. “Shouldn’t you be dancing with your date?” I ask. I’m not bitter or jealous, honestly.

He smirks arrogantly and bends his head near my neck. “Are you jealous sugar?” His breath tickles my ear and I shiver involuntarily.

“Didn’t you get the memo? I’m over you. Oh, and that means you can take back the car that’s currently parked outside my house.” I growl.

He laughs and it’s deep rumble that makes my body jump to attention. Just breathe, I think to myself. “The car is a gift.” He says. “To replace the one you sold.” I say nothing. I am not getting into the issues with Cassie here in the middle of my firm’s party.

“I sold it because I didn’t want it.”

“You’re mine Lilly, and I want you to have it.” He says in that low husky voice. I don’t even pull him up on the ‘mine’ shit.

“There you go with your possessive shit again. I’m surprised you haven’t gone all macho on Hardy’s arse yet…again. I was half expecting you to cock your leg on me, or hell, just whip it out and get out the tape measure.” I huff as he slowly spins me away from him. I pause with both our arms outstretched. My fingers thrum from the electricity of his touch. I meet his eyes and my chest constricts. He’s so damn beautiful, but it’s the look in his eyes. He looks at me as though I’m…everything. Damn it.

He pulls me back to him and flashes that arrogant, underwear combusting smirk. “No need. I saw the way you looked at him…it’s not the way you look at me.” He’s right, it’s not and it never will be for anyone but him.

My chest tightens as I start to panic a little, he’s doing it again, reeling me in. Fuck. The gravelly voice sings;
so pull me down if you want to, and I hope that you want to, cause I want to be your man.
It’s all too much. I can’t do this with him, not here. I look away from him focusing on the guests dancing around us. 

He pulls me tight against the warmth of his chest. “Lilly. Look at me.” He says quietly. I brace myself. I don’t want to look at him, because if I do, any semblance of resolve will fall apart. I remember all the pain he’s caused me and I hold onto it. I draw on it as I swing my gaze to his. I expect to see that cocky, under wear melting smile on his face, but a small frown mars his features. “You need to stay away from Hardy.” He says gruffly. I can’t deal with his weird possessive shit right now.

“I need to go.” I pull away from him, but his hand clamps down on my arm. He pulls me close and holds me tight to his chest.

“Always running.” He murmurs in my ear.

“Please let me go Theo.” My voice comes out shaky, almost panicked. He pulls back and looks at me, his eyebrows pulled together.

“Are you scared of me Lilly?”

I shake my head. I’m not scared of him in the traditional sense, but I’m terrified of the person I am around him. He renders me weak at every turn. He blows through all my defences with just a look. He can wound me with a few words. I hate it. I hate him. I love him. Fuck.

He grabs my hand and turns away from the dance floor. He pulls me across the room until he reaches a door. I try and pull away from his grip, but his hold is firm. We head down a corridor and through another door until we’re in a supply room.

“I’m not having sex with you.” I snap. The room is small with shelves stacked with cleaning products. The light in here is dim, and I can just make out his face as it falls in shadow.