Guard two chuckles behind him. “Fuck, man, she just burned you to ashes.”
Keeping the asshole’s stare, I know I’ve already gone too far. A lot of my venom is meant for Easton. “In the future, you might want to rethink looking at women with such clear judgment and consider them past their appearances, and maybe, one day, you’ll be worthy of any woman who kneels for you.”
“I do just fine, sweetheart,” he dismisses me as the elevator pings and the doors open behind me, but I step up and am forced to look up after deciding I’m not quite finished.
“I’m sure you do just fine…off of another man’s merit, talent, and allure because they’re worthy of the fantasy. Damn, how that must chip away at your ego.”
The man’s scathing eyes turn murderous as the guard behind him opens the penthouse door for me. “After you, beautiful.”
“Thank you,” I say, sidestepping guard one, satisfied with his reddening complexion as guard two dips to address me.
“If you don’t find what you’re looking for inside, I’ll be here all night.”
We share a smile as he ushers me inside, his eyes sweeping me appreciatively just before he closes the door. The second I take a step into the party, the change of atmosphere hits me, and I’m instantly transported.
Holy. Fucking. Shit.
The massive penthouse has an open floorplan, and the partygoers are bathed in blue light and shadows from spotlights lighting up the walls. To the right, a full kitchen seemingly fit for a Michelin chef. A floating spiral staircase sits just to the left of an expansive marble island—the only barrier between the kitchen and massive living space. A living space where several women dance between an array of plush, oversized circular couches. An audience of men and women alike lounge on and around the furniture, watching them in clear appreciation. Many of those dancing look like models of the super kind—long legs, curvy, and dressed the part. Amongst them, I feel sexy in my own skin as a few stares drift in my direction. Feeling the tingle of awareness and the music pulsing throughout the room, there’s a clear implication of sex in the air which amps up the forbidden feel in the ambiance.
A massive wall of floor-to-ceiling windows sits just beyond the living room, giving way to a majestic view of part of the city skyline. The long, u-shaped balcony is filled to the brim with guests, billows of smoke erupting from various corners of the vast space. Instinctually, I find myself scanning the first floor for Easton, who is nowhere to be seen. The idea he might be preoccupied gives me a sinking feeling, which I bat away, allowing my anger to lead me further into the party.
Stick to the plan, Natalie.
Plastering on a smile, I navigate my way around the crowded space satisfying my curiosity for a gathering of this magnitude. It’s always been a hope of mine to see how the one percent parties. Continuing my search, I spot Syd in a corner of the room talking to a group of twenty-something women who seem to be hanging on his every word. He’s a respectable foot away from them, but the expressions on their faces are priceless. This is most definitely a night they will remember. As if sensing my stare, Syd spots me standing unmoving in the middle of the room, surrounded by dancing bodies. He gives me a onceover before the hint of a smile lifts his lips. I give him a small wave, and he gives me a quick nod in return before averting his attention back to his captive audience.
Drawing closer to the patio, I make out fire red cherries burning at the end of cigarettes as countless silhouettes take up the space. It’s dark, but not to the point I can’t make out some of the faces of those clustered around the sporadic stone firepits, blue flames dancing along various profiles. It’s ominous enough to make those who want to keep their presence here lowkey feel secure.
Averting my gaze to discourage a few prying eyes away from me, I pause when I spot a familiar face in the corner of the balcony.
Is that the star of the latest Marvel movie?
Seconds later, the object of my focus turns his head, flames lighting up his face confirming it.
Lucas Walker.
Holy shit!
Taming the fangirl threatening to burst out of me and denying the urge to call my mother over our mutual crush, I rip my eyes away, knowing he’s probably one of the reasons no phones are allowed. Lucas walked away from Hollywood years ago and came back kicking ass in a Robert Downey Jr. way and set new box office records with his first movie in over a decade. He’s the definition of a silver fox, and due to the iconic teen movies Mom turned me onto, he remains one of my earliest crushes. Lucas also co-starred in Drive, which makes his presence here relevant, but has my anxiety spiking. Surely Stella and Reid aren’t here?