Page 7 of Close Your Eyes

I nod.

“Bane Delgado, huh?”

“Is that a question?”

He shrugs.

“I love him,” I lie through my perfectly white teeth.

He rests his hands on his knees. “When’s the wedding?”

“Soon.”

“You must be excited.”

I want to scream the truth, but I nod with a smile. “Ecstatic.”

“Why don’t I believe you?”

“Maybe you don’t want to believe me.” Or maybe I don’t want him to believe me. Maybe I want him to dig deeper.

Or kiss me.

I must be crazy.

I shake my head, wondering why I’m even thinking about something as stupid as that. Of course, this man would never kiss me.

He could have any woman he wants.

Why would he even consider kissing a woman who’s engaged?

Chapter 3

Ledger

Life is unfair sometimes. And most would say you should navigate the inequities of fairness and find the strength to kick life’s stupid ass. Say, fuck you universe, I deserve to be happy.

It’s all bullshit really.

Honestly, the universe is laughing at me, because the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on is engaged.

Long, brown hair that looks like it feels like silk. My hands itch to run my fingers through it, take in the pleasure of what her soft locks most likely feel like.

She’s got these crystal-blue bedroom eyes that make you have to study them because you can’t fully see them with just one look. Those are eyes you could get lost in.

But she’s more than that.

She’s timid—yet fierce.

She’s fragile—yet strong.

Her delicate features are ones any supermodel would envy. Her mannerisms show me she was raised with class.

Her dress is innocent and soft. A pale-pink fabric dress that hangs just below her knees.

She’s breathtaking.

And she’s unavailable.