Alex looked up and froze. His eyes ran over me hungrily. “When are you leaving?”
“Now,” Cathy responded. “I just wanted you to know what you would be missing out on.”
“Oh, I’m not going to be missing out on anything.” He leaned back in his chair, his eyes locked on me. “I’ll meet you there.”
“I thought you had paperwork.” I smirked.
“There’s no way you’re going without me in that dress.”
“Then you better hurry up.” Cathy grabbed my hand again and pulled me toward the door. “We’ll see you there.”
I rolled my eyes at her. She was a handful and I’d agreed to go out with her. There was a limo out front instead of one of the normal cars. Becca was present as usual and I knew better than to complain. There was no way we would be able to go to such a public place without a guard.
“You’ll love this place. The lounge is above the main floor, but there is plenty of dancing room. And the owner is more than happy to help us if we need to sneak out.”
“Why would we need help sneaking out?”
“If the press gets too rowdy. Not that I think we’ll have any issues.” Cathy smiled. “This is going to be fun! I never liked Tabitha and now that she and Kyle are together, it’s miserable.”
“What happened? Kyle seemed to have his sights set on you.”
“I told him no.” She sighed. “The serious no. Not the flirty one.”
I wasn’t sure if I was following her, but I let her keep talking.
“So he moved on?”
“In about two point one seconds. He told me to make a decision, I did, and he left with Tabitha.” She looked down at her nails. “I wish it didn’t bother me so much.”
“He was your friend.” I shrugged. “It may have been based on the wrong stuff, but he was the person you spent time with and now he’s gone. That makes sense.”
“You’re right. I’ve been trying to figure out why I’ve been upset. I mean, I never wanted more than friendship. I’m not sure I even wanted that much with him.”
“You just wanted a friend.” I sighed. “I get that.”
We pulled up in front of the club and my heart raced at the sight of all the people. A bouncer opened the door and helped us out. There was no waiting in line, no showing ID or paying a cover charge. We were allowed right in and a hostess took us up to the VIP lounge.
The club was nice, but underneath all the shiny surfaces was the same thing you find in every club. Loud music, alcohol, and people needing to let off steam. It wasn’t that I was against any of those things, but when you put them together, it often had ugly results. Like waking up next to Jabba the Hutt kind of results. Or being groped by a man wearing a bow tie and lavender slacks. Not that either had happened to me. Okay, bow-tie-loving groper had happened, but I’d never drank enough to mistake Jabba the Hutt for Brad Pitt.
The VIP box was full. Kyle was busy making out with a redhead I assumed was Tabitha and several other people were dancing in the middle of the room. Becca had followed us up the stairs but stopped just inside the door.
“What do you want to drink?” Cathy pulled me to the bar.
“Cosmo.” I didn’t plan on doing anything but sipping the drink.
Cathy ordered our drinks and then pulled two chairs together. She introduced me to the people closest to us, always careful to use my full title. I was called the American duchess more times than I could count. At first the music had been annoying, but I was getting used to it.
Cathy had been pulled out on the floor by one of the guys she’d introduced and his friend asked me if I wanted to dance.
“I think I’m going to sit this one out.” I smiled and then looked away, hoping he would go. Instead he pulled up the seat next to me.
“How are you enjoying Lilaria?” He leaned close and I realized he was trying to look down my dress.
“It’s great. I love all the purple trees and pink leaves.”
“Yeah.” He was so focused on my cle**age he hadn’t heard a word I said.
“What’s your name again?” I leaned away from him a little more.
“Gregory.” He licked his lips and edged forward. “I’m the Baron of Dushner.”
“That’s nice.” I looked away from him and wondered if this guy was for real.
“You should come out some time.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” I kept my response short, hoping he would catch a clue.
“Would you like another drink?”
“No, I’d rather not.”
“If you’re worried about getting home, you could stay at my apartment here in the city.” He looked down my dress again and I felt my temper snap. I’d been polite Samantha the entire time I’d been in Lilaria, but this asshat was pushing the wrong buttons.
“Eyes up here, buddy.”
“You don’t wear a dress like that unless you want to be looked at.” He reached out and ran a finger over my knee.
“The dress isn’t for you.” I slapped his hand away. “And unless you want broken fingers, you better keep your hands to yourself.”
“I’m just trying to get to know the new duchess.” He raised an eyebrow. “Or are you only interested in princes?”
“I’m interested in men.” I stood up. “Not slugs.”
I looked around for Cathy but didn’t see her anywhere. Taking a deep breath, I walked toward the bar. If nothing else I could order a soda or bottled water until she showed back up. My phone vibrated in the tiny purse I was carrying and I pulled it out, thinking it might be her.