Wrong (Breaking the Rules) (23 page)

“Sit still, Pepper,” Andi chided, yanking on my hair. She was getting a little too into this whole dress up thing.

“I would have figured you would have wanted to leave my hair down. That’s all I ever hear you say anyway. Why did you want to put it up just like I wear it every day?” I asked. We were sitting at the kitchen table so I didn’t have access to a mirror, but it felt like she was giving me the same hairstyle as usual but with a few more bobby pins.

“Pepper, I can assure you that your hair does not look like it normally does. You’re going to a black-tie event, which means your hair will look best pulled up. When I finish with you, nobody is going to recognize you.”

I’d already put in my contacts, which I owned for the rare occasion when I didn’t want to wear my glasses. This usually was reserved for swimming and summertime. That in itself would make me look completely different.

Andi went to work on my makeup while I thought about tonight. This whole thing with Cole stressed me out, as if my first gala weren’t stressful enough. I had no idea what to expect out of him, but he seemed dead set in ruining me. Considering that I knew he had a gun, it scared the hell out of me.

“What’s wrong, Pepper?” Andi asked as she finished with a light coat of lip gloss.

“What? Nothing,” I lied as I attempted to avoid her penetrating gaze.

“I’m your best friend and I’m insulted that you would lie to me. I can read when something’s wrong. If you were nervous about the gala, you would tell me. Whatever it is that’s bothering you, you’re trying to keep to yourself.”

I sighed and looked up at her, which was not a good idea. My eyes started to mist over. I sighed again in resignation.

“So you know how I was mugged the other day? I think it was someone I knew from my past. Did I ever tell you how I came to get my nickname?”

The frown on her face made me feel guilty for never telling her. I bit back my nervousness and spent the next half hour rehashing every detail. By the end, my tears had thoroughly ruined my makeup, and Andi’s face didn’t look any better.

“Okay, time to dry up. I’m fixing you up for good, so no more crying. I love you, Elizabeth,” she told me, nervously trying out my real name. I smiled at her so she would know I was okay with it.

“Fine, I’m dry. Make me pretty enough to drive Jordan crazy. He drives me nuts most days with his perfect body and annoyingly beautiful smile.” I feigned irritation, and she giggled.

“Honey, his jaw will be on the floor the entire night along with every other male in the place.”

She finally finished and we went to my room so I could put the dress on.

Slipping the red, shiny material over my body, I instantly felt sexy. My red lace bra and thong were going to be a hit too later tonight when Jordan took off my dress. Andi handed me a pair of her “fuck me” heels. I slid them on and put on my mother’s jewelry.

“Okay, let’s go take a look in the big-ass mirror in your room,” I suggested, turning to face her. Her eyes were bugging out of her head, immediately making me feel embarrassed. “What is it, Andi? Does it look bad?” I questioned, worry lacing my voice.

“Hell no, Pep—Elizabeth! You are going to be every man’s wet dream. Even Jackson and Bray would be having dirty thoughts about you right now. You look breathtakingly beautiful,” she praised as she eyeballed me.

“Gross! Thank God I won’t be seeing those two goobers tonight,” I teased, making a sour face at her. She grabbed my hand and dragged me into her room.

When I stepped up to the mirror, my lips parted as I took in the sight. The woman who looked back at me was radiant. Her hair was swept delicately up into a chignon with loose tendrils that had escaped around her face. The makeup was done dramatically but not in a cheap way. She had plump, pouty red lips that perfectly complemented her red dress, which hugged every curve and had a neckline that scooped down, revealing enough cleavage that made you wish for a bit more. She was elegant and sophisticated. This woman was not me.

“Shit, Andi. You’re in the wrong profession,” I proclaimed.

“God, you look beautiful. There was no way I was letting you sit in a shitty cab looking like a queen, so I had Jackson send George for you. He’ll be here any minute.”

“As much as I want to groan and pout, thank you. I am still rattled about the whole Cole thing, so I will feel safer riding with George,” I told her.

She smiled knowingly. “All right, toots. Knock ‘em dead!”

I walked through the doors into the lobby and my breath hitched. Everything had come together wonderfully. The décor was swanky and classy. Staff members were running around, putting last touches on the tables. Stan wasn’t anywhere to be found, so I decided to look for him in his office to see what I should do before the guests arrived.

Stepping into his office, I didn’t see him right away. When I realized that he was standing behind the door and buttoning his dress shirt over his muscled chest, I quickly turned away.

“Stan, I’m so sorry. I didn’t expect for you to be getting dressed in here,” I muttered as I started to leave the office. His hand quickly latched onto my arm, pulling me around to face him.

“Pepper? My God, you look amazing. Woman, where have you been all my life?” he praised, looking over my body, his gaze lingering at my breasts. I could feel my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

“What would you like me to do before the guests arrive?” I questioned, changing the subject.

His eyes darkened as he glanced down at my chest again. With his hand still firmly gripped around my arm, he leaned into me with his mouth at my ear. “I could think of a few things,” he whispered, his hot breath tickling my ear.

“Stan, I have a boyfriend. Stop playing around,” I stammered, trying to pull my arm from his grasp.

“He doesn’t have to know,” he growled, sucking my lobe into his mouth.

Turning quickly, I slapped him hard across the cheek. His shocked look was fleeting and then replaced by a scowl.

“Wait by the front and greet guests as they come in,” he snapped as he finished buttoning his shirt.

Without another glance in his direction, I rushed out of his office.

After some begging, I was finally granted an appointment with Lou and Calvin for tomorrow. The phone call pushed me behind so I had to rush, quickly swinging by the apartment to change into my tux. Andi had already taunted me earlier with a text saying that I was going to “bust a nut” when I saw Elizabeth. That girl was crazy, but I had a feeling she was telling the truth.

Hopping out of the car, I handed over the key to the valet and accepted my ticket. When I walked into the museum, my eyes scanned the growing crowd for my girl. I could care less about the gala. The whole thing was just a way to see her. Now that she was mine, I couldn’t wait to take her on my arm and show her off.

Not finding her, I made my way to the auction table. Glancing through the items, I looked for anything that might strike my fancy. When I came across a New Year’s Eve romance package that included a stay at the unique hotel at The Standard in The Liberty Suite, I snatched up a pen. The package included VIP access to a Times Square ball drop party with some popular celebrities and musicians. It looked like it would be a blast. I scrawled out an expensive number, hoping I’d win it for us.

I continued perusing the crowd, looking for her. A server offered me a glass of wine and I accepted it.

“Well, the main sponsor of the night finally decided to show up,” her familiar voice teased from behind me. After I spun around to see her, my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

“Elizabeth, you look gorgeous. That dress was made for your body,” I gushed, hugging her to me. She smelled amazing as well.

Leaning forward to her face, I pressed a kiss to her lips. It was a bad idea because then I wanted more than just a simple peck. Feeling the same way, she parted her lips to invite me in, and my tongue greedily tasted her.

“Pepper, I hope you don’t greet all the guests like that. We wouldn’t want them to think this was a whorehouse,” a voice snapped beside us.

Breaking from our kiss, I spun around to see Stan glaring at us. I didn’t care if he was her boss. He was about to get an earful.

“Excuse me?” I seethed, giving him a chance to correct his words. Elizabeth grabbed my arm to keep me from throttling him. My body burned with a desire to punch him in the face.

“As much as the museum appreciates Pepper going to great lengths to make our guests feel welcome, she’s needed in other areas. Now if you’ll excuse me.” Stan stalked away while I glowered after him.

“Sorry. That was unprofessional. I really must go work,” she stated shakily.

I clasped her hand into mine and brought it to my lips, kissing the top of it. “If you must,” I sighed. She nodded and pulled away, heading for a group that had just walked in.

My eyes found Stan again, and he was watching her with a satisfied smirk on his face. That dickhead wanted her.
Over my dead body.

The evening progressed successfully. Elizabeth was in her element, and the guests seemed to adore her. We spent the entire night apart, stealing glances at each other from afar. It was almost impossible to remain focused on my sponsorship speech since I only wanted to think about and look at her. Thankfully, I kept the speech short in an effort not to embarrass myself.