Running From Destiny (2 page)

Chapter 3

After dinner and the fashion show, Heather had mingling to do and people to meet. This was her job and getting donations for the silent auction was part of it. The show consisted of one of a kind designer fashions for men and women. Each outfit went up for silent auction with the winner getting the outfit, custom made to their size, making it truly one of a kind. The proceeds go to various charities that help abused and neglected children in Miami-Dade County.

Heather is dressed in a fitted gold sheath that stops just above her knees with the left shoulder completely covered to her wrist, but the rig
ht shoulder is completely bare. The material is a silky organza that shimmers if the light hits it right. Her tan skin and blonde hair emphasizing the golden color and it looks amazing on her figure. She pairs it with sky high nude Christian Louboutin pumps, with the signature red soul.

But my eyes were glued to the
stage when Amanda walked out. I could so see myself in the outfit she has on. A slinky, loose fit black ankle length skirt with matching bolero style jacket. It’s feminine and classic. She has on a silver camisole and silver pumps that totally dress it up. I stare at her and the classic elegance of the outfit, and after the show I walk down to the auction tables and find Amanda’s photo at the end of the row.

Looking at the current bid
, I shake my head and turn away. Way out of my price range. This isn’t TJMaxx after all. That’s the only place I can get any type of designer wear without breaking the bank. Yeah, so I wear last year’s fashions, or the year before. Whatever. I do what I can.

As Heather mingles, I sit at the bar in my new black cocktail dress we bought at Nordstrom, and black stra
ppy sandals with a kitten heal. I refuse to wear anything higher most of the time, because I can’t walk in them and don’t feel like looking like an idiot tonight. I’m self-conscious enough being in the middle of such class, and walking around wobbling or busting my ass isn’t an option. Thankfully, she was so busy with what she had going on, I could just sit here and mind my own business.

Looking around the room I figured there was more m
oney in here than in Fort Knox. I sigh and turned back to the bar, swirling my Shiraz in the glass. I’m not a big drinker, for good reason, so I nurse the glass and wait for Heather to be done schmoozing so we can move on to the party.

I slipp
ed my phone out of my small Kate Spade clutch and check my email, I see that I have one from mom just checking in and a bunch of spam. I delete what isn’t wanted and tell myself I’ll reply to mom later. Then I check Facebook. Lord, am I that bored? I’m sitting here at a bar in a swanky Miami hotel surrounded by money and booze and I’m on Facebook. “Geez Al, you really need to get a life.”

I put my phone away and swivel my bar
stool outwards to look around. Men in Armani and Hugo Boss, women in Chanel and Prada. Diamonds and glitter all around while I sit here in my department store dress. Don’t get me wrong, the dress was nice but it isn’t Chanel, that’s for sure. Hell, I don’t even know the brand. It was pretty and under $100. So much for fitting in.

I glance around the room and watch groups of people who obviously know each oth
er laughing and having fun. I can see Heather amidst a small group, obviously flirting with a young man. She’s batting her eyelashes and touching his arm, giggling like a first grader. Heather at work. Guess I’ll be heading to the room alone tonight.

“Miss, another glass of wine?” The
bartender asked from behind me. “Um, no. Make it a bloody Mary, strong.” I ordered.

“Salt or no salt?” He asked.

“Salt and extra lime.”

“Yes ma’am.”
He turn his back to me and starts making my drink. Hell, if I’m gonna be alone tonight, I might as well drink my loneliness away even though I’ll probably regret it in the morning. Ally and alcohol don’t mix well, but tonight I’m going to live on the edge and take that chance. As long I don’t puke it all up in the middle of the dance floor, I’ll be fine. Yes, it’s happened before and I was so embarrassed I didn’t drink again for months. I was just now starting to dabble in it again.

I spin back toward
the bar and he catches my eye. Now, I’m not one for spotting hunky men in a crowd, but this guy stands out. Charcoal grey suit, deep blue tie. Dark blonde, or was it light brown, wavy hair that fell just above his eyes. He holds a high ball glass in his hand and is surrounded by beautiful ladies, one of them wrapped around his arm like she might fall if he moved.

But his eyes aren’t on her.
They’re on me.

Holy shit.
I quickly move my eyes away from The Suit. He must be drunk, or I just think he’s looking at me. Yes, that’s it. He’s looking at someone or something else, has to be. I look back to the bar and see my drink sitting there, so I grab it and take a long swig. Perfect. I set the drink down and glance to my right, trying to figure out what The Suit was looking at, seeing nothing special enough that might trigger a stare like that.

I take another long sip of my bloody
Mary and look back to my left again, toward The Suit. He’s gone, but the woman who had been draped over him was still there, smiling with her friends. She’s a classy broad, tall and blonde, but I bet not a true blonde like Heather, though I would never know for sure, unless she decides to parade around naked. I chuckle under my breath.

“Something funny?”
I hear over my right shoulder and I choke on my drink, coughing like I’m a heavy smoker. “Easy there.” A deep rich voice growled into my ear as he patted my back like a baby being burped.

“Excuse
me, I’m sorry. You startled me,” I say as I turn to see who is hovering over my shoulder, trying to keep me from drowning in my drink. As my eyes reach his, I suck in a breath. Countless romance novel characters come to mind. Christian Grey, Gideon Cross and Chris Merit all float through my mind. Along with the dark blonde hair, yes he was that close so I could now tell, he has crystal green eyes the color of emeralds.

I can sense power and lust. Greed and guilt.
I turned back to my drink and scoot my stool over a bit, so he can fit in between me and Humpty Dumpty next to me. I figure he’s here to refill his drink, so I allow space for him.

As I sip my drink, no guzzle it as he stands over me, his manly scent overwhel
ming my senses. I don’t look back at him, but I feel him still there. The hairs on the back of my neck stand up like an electrical pulse blew through the room.

The bartender came up and The Suit
orders a drink, bourbon neat. “And another bloody Mary for the lady here.” He finishes.

I turn to him and shake my head,
“No, nothing for me, thanks.” I toss back the rest of my drink and set the glass down a little harder than needed. “I’ve reached my limit for the evening.”

I turn to my left, since he’s to my right and make
to stand up to go find Heather. As I turn to face the room, I come face to face with his chest. All I can see is his navy tie and broad shoulders. Holy shit. I slowly look up to those crystal green eyes and clasp on tight to my clutch. I blow out a breath and say, “Excuse me,” as I try to go around him to go find Heather. Only he doesn’t move. He stays right where he is, blocking my way.

My internal alarm clock start raging in my head letting me know it’s time to leave and get away from The Suit before I do something really stupid, which I’ve been
known to do after a few drinks. “Leaving so soon?” The Suit asked. No wait, that isn’t a question. I didn’t hear the question mark. He just made a statement and I’m sure how to respond.

“Um, yes.
I need to visit the ladies room and then find my friend. If you’ll excuse me.” I respond, trying to step around him. As I step to my right, he steps to his left. So I try to go to my left, and he goes to his right. Shit!

“Shall we dance?”
He chuckles low in his throat. And I started giggling because we look like two red necks trying to two step in a fancy bar.

Those giggles, they’re exactly why
I need to make a speedy exit. I can feel the fool coming out of me in a rapid pace, and I need to make myself invisible before I start looking stupid.

“Um, no thanks.” I respond
.
No thanks? Geez, smooth Al. He finally steps to his left and I make my way around his right and head straight for the ladies room, not bothering to look back.

“Ally!
Over here!” I hear Heather calling my name. I look around and see her coming toward me, a sneaky look on her face. I wave, but don’t falter on my feet as I continue to the rest room. I can still see The Suit out of the corner of my eye, up near the bar, watching me.

I heave my body on the restroom door and lunge into it, only the door isn’t as heavy as I think it is and it flings open fast and furious, sl
amming into the wall behind it. I barge into the room and toss my clutch on the counter and watch it fall into a sink full of water. I grab it before it completely submerges and slam it on the counter.

“Ally?
What’s going on? You flew in here like a bat out of hell. Did something happen?” Heather asks as her hand rests on the upper part of my back.

“No, no, just me bei
ng an idiot. I’ll get over it. But I’m going to head up to the room, I’m bored and I’m getting a headache.”

“Bored?? How in the hell are you bored?
This party is fabulous!” She gleamed. “I saw you dancing with that man. Do you know who he is?” Heather smirked at me. Smirked!!

“Of course not, he
came to the bar to get a drink. And we were not dancing. I was trying to get around him......oh hell, what’s the use in trying to explain it. These are not my peeps, H. I don’t have a clue who anyone is. I just know I don’t belong here. So I’m heading up. How’s the schmoozing going with Prince Charming out there?” I nod my head toward the door exiting the restroom. Heather knows me so she knows who I’m nodding at, even though we can’t see through the door. My ex-ray vision subscription expired years ago.

“Oh, ya know.” Was all she said, but she’s twirling her hair around her index finger.

“Okay, well,” I glared at her. “I’ll see you later tonight, or not.” I smile wickedly at her.

“
McKay. But come back down later for the party. The dance floor will open up and the drinkage will begin once the silent auction is over. I’ll text you.” Heather whines.

I do my business in the rest room,
because that’s what I came in here for, really. I wash my hands and freshen up my lip gloss, taking a deep breath and head for the door. I weave my way through the crowd toward the exit to the lobby and the elevators. To safety.

Before I can get away from the crowd, a hand grabs my arm, halting my st
eps almost slinging me forward. Hey, I’m on a mission to escape and once I have my mind set on something, I’m a goner.

I turn on my heel and se
e him. The Suit. Damn! What does this guy want from me? He’s so out of my league and I frankly don’t feel comfortable standing in his shadow. He’s tall. I mean really tall. 6’2” or 6’3”. A good foot taller than my 5’3” frame, so I’m literally in his shadow. “Excuse me, I didn’t mean to run into you. Again.” I whisper, barely even able to look at him. His eyes are hypnotic and my tongue decides its cast under their spell and stops working.

“You didn’t run into me, I ran into you.” His voice is still low, gravely and entirely too sexy. I really feel like I’ve been swallowed up in a cheesy romance novel. I didn’t think people like this really existed. “Excuse me?” I ask.

He laughe
d, “You keep excusing yourself. But you’re still here.” His hand, still on my arm, is warm and strong. He’s not hurting me, but he’s not letting me go either.

“I was just leaving.” Was all I can get out without tripping on my tongue.

“Why? The party hasn’t even started yet.” He says as he looks down at me.

I don’t have an answer for him.
The proverbial cat has my tongue. All the moisture in my mouth dries up and my jaw refuses to work.

“I was here to watch
my friend in the fashion show. Now that it’s over, I am going to my room. There’s nothing more for me here.” I reply as I pull my arm out of his grip and he drops his hand.

“Nothing here for you, no?
I’m here and I would like it if you would have a drink with me.”

“What? Why?”
I ask like the idiot that I am. I have no idea why a man of this caliber would want anything to do with me.

“Ally!”
I cringe as I hear Heather’s heals clicking on the marble floor, headed my way. “There you are! I thought you were going, well hello there.” She swooned as she saw The Suit. Swooned! Gah!

“I’m heading up, just got.
.. sidetracked.” The Suit just smiles, with a look on his face like I need to introduce him. Of course, THAT’S why he keeps coming around me. I am his one way ticket to Heather Land.

“Um, thi
s is my friend Heather Langley. Heather this is......” Shit, I realize I don’t even know this guy’s name. Probably a good thing.

“Jackso
n Bentley, I know who you are. Very nice to meet you.” Heather purrs while extending her perfectly manicured hand. She’s such a slut. But I love her anyway.