Except I’m not really listening or looking at her anymore. My eyes are solidly focused on one woman that always garners my attention every time she walks into my space. I feel her every time. Like my entire body is wired to know exactly where she is.
Just like that night. I knew she was there before I saw her. Before the douche made a point to make sure I saw her.
I knew the minute she entered the backyard space.Fuck. I’m pretty sure I knew the minute she got out of the car. I could feel her in the air. And as much as I didn’t want to, my eyes instantly fell to her the minute she was within sight. I knew exactly what corner she was rounding the second she did.
She takes my damn breath away every time I lay eyes on her. Today is no different as she wears that off the shoulder white dress that hangs over her body flowing down her body. That hair that’s nearly white hair tied up high like a goddamn halo.
I drag my hand over my face trying to contain myself. My anger and frustration but also the way I am getting totally fucking turned on just by the sight of her.
“Tori!” Zoey squeals in a high pitch that nearly makes my ears bleed.
Tori’s eyes flicker over me briefly before she leans over to give Zoey a hug. I still have Verity pulled into my side. Hanging on to her like she is keeping me contained. In a way, she is.
I hear more introductions as my teeth grind together. I can’t make up my mind if I want to leave or stay. If I want to take her with me or leave her in the dust. If I’m pissed or – no I’m definitely pissed. And it’s only growing but I don’t know if I’m pissed with her or myself.
She looks between Verity and me a few times. Her eyes linger on my arm around Verity’s waist. I nearly jerk back but stop myself. I’m not doing anything wrong and I don’t want to make Verity feel like she’s done anything wrong either.
Her eyes meet mine for a brief second. They are sad and desperate and I’m sure mine are blazing with anger that I’m realizing minute by minute isn’t at her or myself but at the fucking situation. At the fact that something is going on and she’s not saying anything. That she lied to me then appeared in Chicago with another man. That I haven’t answered the fucking phone once in three weeks to talk this shit over. The more I think about everything, the angrier I’m getting.
She opens her mouth to say something but something behind us stops the words.
A hand lands on my shoulder. “Zee, Jax needs your help with something,” Bastian says.
I don’t say a word. I just let him pull Verity to his side and walk away.
I’m getting a little too good at walking away.
I fucking hate it.
Tori
I can’t take my eyes off of Zane. I’ve missed him so much. I’ve cried pretty much twenty-four/seven for the last three weeks. I don’t even recognize myself. I’m not one of those girls. But I’ve been one of those girls. Sleep has become nonexistent. The thought of food makes me sick. I’m distracted as hell.
The fight three weeks ago? Well, I won it, but it wasn’t easy. My mind and heart weren’t in it. It was wherever he was. Lots of bruises, a broken nose, and a couple of broken ribs was the price I paid. Along with a nasty fucking concussion.
Fortunately, the bruises and outward evidence of that fight have healed.Unfortunately, ribs take a lot longer to heal and I have another fight in three more weeks. Zane is radiating anger. He’s still pissed off. Not that I can blame him. If the roles had been reversed, I would have ripped his balls off first then asked questions.
“You must be Tori,” I hear Sebastian Delrie say but Zane is the only one getting my attention right now. I watch him with Jax dragging his hand down his face in frustration. He waves around and I would think he’s yelling but I can’t hear anything. He’s whispering – whisper shouting so no one can hear them.
He begins to pace back and forth as his agitation grows. I expect any second for him to leave his own sister’s party.
Until a little girl around nine or ten runs up, wrapping herself around his legs. I watch him look down at the little girl with warmth and love. It makes my insides tingle.
Fucking tingles. I’ve never had thoughts of kids or anything like that before but seeing him with that little girl is making me want and hope for things I’ve never wanted. Things I shouldn’t want now.
“You’re kind of making me look like an ass here,” I hear Bastian say.
I turn my attention to him, turning I’m sure three shades of red. “I’m sorry. Yes, I’m Tori,” I tell him taking his hand. My eyes float back to Zane. I watch him as he lets the little girl drag him across the fenced yard to the sandy beach past the gate. Once they’re out, he grabs her, lifting her high and making her squeal.
“Bastian, don’t tease,” Zoey reprimands. “You know she’s like a big fan of yours or something.”
“You have fans?” I hear the girl Zane had his arms around ask.
“Just people who like my tattoos,” he gives her a cocky grin.
I give her a look of shock and disbelief. “Sebastian Delrie is like the Johnny Depp of the tattoo industry,” my inner fan girl comments.
Zoey explains that a tattoo Sebastian has been working on is for me. We make idle chat about its placement and design, all the while, my eyes keep glancing back toward Zane.
