Chapter 61: Matt

I stood staring at Aaron’s artwork on the wall, trying my best to blend in here. I didn’t understand it at all, but I could still see the appeal, especially as a large handful of rich men and women hover around the paintings as well, making comments and discussing things about the art I knew nothing about. I felt so out of place here, like a bum at a ball, but I forced myself to stay. For Aaron.

I glanced back over my shoulder and took another large swallow of the champagne in my hand. As long as the booze was endless and free, I was set for the night.

Through the crowd, I spotted Aaron and Renee, still attached at the hip. Fuck, she looked so beautiful tonight. Long legs, gorgeous dress, red, pouty lips. I wanted to snag her away from Aaron and ravage her somewhere quiet, but I knew I couldn’t do that. She was here with him tonight, not me, despite how difficult it was to see. It was almost my turn, I just needed to keep my shit together and be patient.

The champagne seemed to be hitting me harder than usual. Probably because I hadn’t eaten much today, and minute by minute I felt my body heating up with alcohol. The tension in my shoulders disappeared, and I suddenly felt like maybe I did belong here in this classy place with these rich ass people.

Thinking nothing of it, I pulled a cigarette out of my pocket and placed it between my lips, ignoring the scowls of those around me. It was a habit I’d had forever. Keep it between the lips, don’t light it. People hated that. I didn’t mind being hated. It was nothing new. Hell, Renee had hated me for years and years before I finally won her over.

Reaching for a refill of champagne after discarding the other one, I glanced around again, meandering by myself through the crowd of people. I sipped the bubbly drink, feeling better now, dropping the unlit cigarette back into my pocket. Across the room, I spotted Renee and Aaron again. This time, he had her pulled close to his chest, and he was kissing her, hard, his tongue exploring her mouth in a way that made me green with envy. Fuck, I hated watching her with the others.

Fuming, I turned away, bumping smack dab into a woman who I recognized at once.

“Hey, boss,” Tameka Morce said, her eyes lighting up. “Fancy seeing you here.”

“Tameka?” I asked idiotically. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s a gala,” she said, waving her petite hand in the air. “All are invited, aren’t they?” She grinned, smoothing out the front of her stunning black studded dress. “I have a friend who had some art displayed tonight,” she explained. “Just showing my support.”

I couldn’t seem to stop my eyes from roaming over her body, a gracious nod to the alcohol that was already lowering my inhibitions and turning me into a confident, cocky fool. She looked beautiful tonight, more so than usual, dressed in that slinky black dress and high heel shoes instead of our fire department’s tee shirt and tan slacks. She looked good. Really good.

A warning bell in my head dinged, and I made it a point to look away, eye-surf the crowd. It didn’t matter how good Tameka looked because I was not a single man. I was taken. I was in love. And Tameka was my subordinate.

“It’s nice seeing you,” I said, anxious to make a quick getaway before Renee glanced over and saw me checking out a beautiful woman. I didn’t need the fight tonight, even if I did feel like making her a bit jealous. “See you on shift Tuesday?”

“Sure,” Tameka said with a smile that weakened my knees. I cleared my throat, finished my champagne, and immediately reached for another before nodding once to her and walking away. Where, I wasn’t sure, but it had to be away from here where I could potentially dig a hole and bury myself like a fucking idiot.

The buzz in my brain intensified as I stumbled through the men’s restroom doors to take a leak and compose myself. I hadn’t spotted Aaron and Renee in the crowd again, and I hated to think where they might have ended up, possibly around each other, kissing, moaning …fucking.

With a groan of irritation, I washed my hands, staring at a blurry version of myself in the mirror. I ran damp fingers through a mess of black hair and shook my head to clear my vision. It didn’t help, and I still felt like drinking. However, I knew better than to push it tonight with Renee. I was supposed to be here to support Aaron, not to get drunk and check out other women.

With a long breath of fresh air, my head still fuzzy but doing better, I stepped out of the men’s bathroom, intending to leave before things got worse for me. As I stepped out the door, I ran into Tameka again. This time, however, I was certain it was intentional.

“Are you okay, Cap?” she asked, putting her hand on my arm to steady me. I looked at her, my eyes once again unintentionally roaming over her beautiful body and stunning attire. I swallowed, hard, and nodded.

“I’m fine, thanks. I think I’ve had a bit too much to drink is all.”

“It’s hard not to when the booze is free, eh?” Tameka giggled. Fuck, what a beautiful sound, and before I could step away again her hand roamed up from my lower arm and towards my upper arm, caressing me. The hallway to the restrooms was barren and quiet, and I could feel the space between us heating up as Tameka stepped in closer to me, fluttering long, black lashes as she grinned. I took a step back, and she followed, and before I could even comprehend what was happening she was kissing me, shoving her tongue between my lips to explore my mouth as I stumbled back another step against the wall. My eyes fluttered closed, and for a brief moment that couldn’t have been more than two seconds, I let her kiss me.

“Tameka,” I said harshly, pushing her back with a bit more force than intended. I stared at her, trying to catch my breath, my eyes meeting her in a fiery gaze. “I can’t. I’m sorry. I–I have a girlfriend.”

“You do,” she said softly. “And she has three boyfriends.”

Her words sent a shard of ice through my heart, but instead of causing a fight and then a scene, I turned away from her, shaking my head, desperate to be away from the situation before it escalated. As I lifted my head, scanning the room for the stairs to leave, I spotted someone leaning up against an empty doorframe, watching us, eyes narrowed.

It was Jake.