Stolen Desire (The Lust List: Kaidan Stone #3) (7 page)

He chuckles softly. “Don't give Charles too much credit. All he did was pick this up from our stylist.”

“You have a stylist?”

“The woman who brought the dresses to your apartment for the awards.”

“Ah, I remember.” Of
course
the Stones have a stylist on call.

I walk back over to Kaidan and stand on tiptoes to give him a soft kiss. “Thank you. You didn't have to do this.”

I mean it, but deep down I'm feeling uneasy about the way he's showering me with gifts. Has he done this with other girls? It kind of seems like he has this down to a science. And maybe it's nothing to him, but… it makes me feel like I owe him something. And I have nothing to give. I have no money. “You really didn't have to do this,” I repeat.

Kaidan gently cups my chin and makes me meet his eyes. “I did. I was a jerk earlier. It's your choice if you want to stay here or not.” He kisses me again, and I let myself get lost in the moment.

He looks reluctant to leave as he pulls away. “I need to get changed. People will be here soon.”

“I'm staying. Thank you for this. I'll get ready.”

“Good. I'll be waiting for you downstairs.”

I give him a little wave as he leaves the room, and then I sink down on the soft bed and stare up at the canopy. Me and Kaidan Stone. Me and Mr. Lust List #1. He was a total dick earlier, but now… I don't know. I was attracted to him before—that was always there, no matter how much of a dick he was. But now? Now I'm starting to feel something else. Something real and powerful and stronger than anything I've ever felt for another guy.

Am I falling in love?

I hug myself and roll on my side, burying my face in a pillow. It's too soon, right? With all the guys before, it's just been lust followed by a combination of contentment and boredom as I settled down with one guy. I always felt free when we'd break up. Then I'd start the cycle over again. The thought that I might feel much, much more this time sends a shiver of fear running through me. Because if I lose Kaidan… or if I have to walk away… I won't feel free. I think it might tear me apart.

I try to distract myself by calling Char to invite her to the party. Her squeal of excitement is followed by panic as she decides she has nothing to wear, and her hair looks like shit.

When she hangs up on me to get ready, I'm left to go browse the clothing Kaidan had Charles pick up for me.

The clothes the stylist sent over are gorgeous. The rack holds all the things I can't afford to buy anymore: Jewelry, undergarments, dresses, skirts, shirts, hair clips, headbands, and other accessories. It's like a mini boutique in here.

A little voice in my head wonders if all of it's mine to keep, or if it's a loan. My next thought is whether or not I can sneak any of it home if it's a loan. My conscience slaps my stupid klepto lizard brain.

I will
not
steal.

I will not.

I never want to steal again. For my own dignity, but also because now… I want to be better. For Kaidan. I couldn't handle how he'd look at me if he ever caught me stealing. I care too much. And that's a first.

I smile as I caress the fabrics, thinking about what Kaidan said about me sketching again. I enjoyed designing those pretend outfits. Maybe that'd be a good outlet for me.

But what would be the point? I still don't see the point. Do I have any talent? I was conceived after years of my parents abusing alcohol and drugs. Drunk DNA. How many of the “talent” genes could've survived that kind of abuse?

After looking through all the clothes, I choose the prettiest dress on the rack—a mint green party dress and a matching lace bra and panty set.

The dress is made of a lightweight brocade fabric with metallic thread, and the cut gives it a bit of a 1950's vibe. It's nearly knee-length, with wide straps and a cute skirt that puffs out a bit, so the cut will show off my slim calves and accentuate my waist. The neckline is wide but modest—made to show off collarbones.

It's classic—exactly the kind of dress I would have worn to a party with old money kids from my East Coast boarding school. But I love it anyway. It feels right for tonight.

Plus, my favorite jewelry from the rack goes well with it. I put on the silver necklace with textured metal beads and gems and the matching chunky silver ring inlaid with gemstones. The infinity symbol bracelet Kaidan gave me matches both, and even if it didn't, I won't take it off.

Did he buy it during his business trip, or was this another present the stylist picked out? I sigh and decide it doesn't matter.

The last thing I need to decide on is my shoes. They sent several sizes. The silver flats are stylish, but just the right sort of casual for a party like this, so I go with those.

The funky jewelry and modern shoes update the dress, making the look on-trend. It's perfect.

I grin at myself in the mirror as I pull up the front half my hair into a little puffy bouffant and use a silver clip to hold it in place.

I search my purse for my favorite eye shadow and accidentally pull out my birth control pills. My last pack from Boston. I've been taking them, but there's only two weeks’ worth left. I file that away for my to-do list with a smile. Gotta keep those stocked now. Especially if I'm someone's girlfriend again.

I finally find the deep purple and silver eye shadow palette I was seeking, and I pair it with my light blush. The stylist thought to send over a hanging cosmetics bag, and I find the perfect shade of rose lipstick to match.

I walk over to the wood-frame, full-length mirror in the corner of the room and twirl in place.

I love it.

I love the way all the colors and shapes and fabrics meld together to complete the perfect look. It's so satisfying.

This must be how Kaidan feels when he cooks. He's right about me and clothes. This is how I used to feel when I'd sketch. Why did it take him saying all that for me to realize? I stare into my own eyes and wonder how it is he managed to see something good in me that I couldn't see myself.

But maybe that's how love works.

I look at the flush on my lightly freckled cheeks, my bright green eyes, the gentle smile curving on my lips. I'm
happy
.

And I think I'm in love for real.

I'm in love with Kaidan Stone.

My phone vibrates from my purse, bringing me back to Earth. It's Char, saying she's waiting outside and wants me to come get her so she doesn't have to walk in alone.

I'm full of confidence and a deep feeling of contentment as I descend the staircase. I can hear laughter from the back part of the house, so some of the guests must already be here, but the foyer's empty.

I crack open the door to find Char's driver parked in front, the engine running. It's kind of dark out here, since the sun set while I was getting dressed, but the front porch lights illuminate Char as she jumps out of the back seat.

“Wow, you look great!” she says.

“Thanks. So do you.”

Char pulls her strapless dress up to make sure she's not hanging out of it then threads her arm through mine. “Thanks for the invite.”

Her driver pulls away, and I lead Char into the foyer and let go of her arm.

“Who's here?” she asks in a hushed tone.

“They're all out back. I just got dressed and came down to get you.”

Char runs a hand over my back, feeling the fabric. “This is nice. Where's it from? Did this come from Boston? I never saw it in your closet.”

She knows I have no money and knows I used to steal. Is that what she's insinuating? I hope not. “Kaidan had his stylist send some clothes over. This was on the rack.”

“Nice. Lucky girl.” She grins at me, and I smile back and lead her down the hallway.

My palms are a little damp, and my heart's beating kind of fast as we pass through the empty ballroom to get to the veranda where everyone is. I'm nervous to meet Kaidan's friends. What kind of people does he hang around? Will they like me? I'm sure they were at the Stone mansion party, but that was a rough night, and he never actually introduced me to anyone.

Kaidan steps into the ballroom and pulls the door shut behind him. I can see a small group of people hanging out back there, drinks in hand.

Kaidan's wearing casual khakis and another nice button down shirt. Skinny mint green stripes on cream. I almost giggle at the way we match. Boy are we a pair. We'd fit in perfectly with old money right now.

His eyes light up when he sees me, and he grabs me by the hand and pulls me close for a kiss. His gold-brown eyes are shining when we stop. “You’re gorgeous.”

“Thanks. You're pretty handsome yourself.” I glance over at Char, who looks like she just witnessed a most gossip-worthy event. Her eyes are bugging out of her head, and her smile’s a little crazy. “Uh… my friend Charlotte. You met her at LUSH.”

“I remember.” Kaidan nods at Char.

“So nice to see you again,” she says.

“Come on outside,” Kaidan says. “I want you to meet everyone. These are my old friends from boarding school. We don't get together that often, but everyone happened to be in town this weekend, so…” He shrugs and opens the door for us.

It's dark out here, but tiki torches dot the veranda and lend their light and a tropical ambience to the scene. Low pop music plays through the outdoor speakers, and the salt-spray scent of the air tingles my nostrils as a light breeze reaches me. Waves crash from the dark sand below in a steady rhythm beneath the music.

The chef's Hawaiian-style hors d'oeuvres—pupus—have been set up on a low bamboo table, complete with little colorful umbrellas and creatively carved fruit. At the bar, one of Kaidan's black and white uniformed staff members is making drinks.

Everyone's looking our way, and I count eight people besides us. One group is hanging out next to the railing and stone columns, and the rest are gathered between the bar and pool. They're all well-dressed, and I'm glad I took the time to look nice.

Kaidan leads us to the closest group near the railing first.

A tattooed girl with a neon-pink streak in her black hair catches my eye first. She's got a full drink in her hand, but she's already wavering on her feet. She looks like she started the party hours ago.

The drop-dead gorgeous guy next to her seems to be keeping her standing. Drop-dead gorgeous is actually an understatement. I think he may be prettier than any of the girls here. He's got tan skin and black hair, and he looks about ten years younger than drunk punk girl, so… he might be barely eighteen. Interesting pairing.

Two dusky-skinned women stand against the railing, and after doing a double take, I realize they're twins. I can tell the flowing dresses they're wearing are high-end. As in, hot off the catwalk haute couture.

“Hey guys,” Kaidan says. “I'd like to introduce you to my girlfriend Hayley and her friend Charlotte.”

I flush with pleasure at the word girlfriend, and Char shoots me a meaningful look. The meaning being, “How could you fail to mention
that
?”

I ignore the look and greet Kaidan's friends as he introduces them. Based on the recognition in their eyes, this introduction is just a pleasantry. I made national news with my HIT awards fiasco last weekend. I just hope no one mentions it.

“I went to school with Neveah and Nina,” Kaidan says, pointing to the twins. He gestures to the tattooed girl. “And Trish, too. Sorry, Trish, your friend's name…?”

Trish smirks and slides an arm around her boy like she owns him. “This is Alejandro.” She's got a thick British accent, and her words are slightly slurred. Yup. Definitely been drinking for a while. “We met at the last shoot.”

Neveah or Nina, I can't remember, lets out a giggle and holds out her hand to her sister. “Told you he was another model. You owe me.”

Trish lets go of her boy toy and drains her drink. “Stop placing bets on my love life, ya twats.”

She turns to Alejandro and sloppily kisses him. They start full on making out, and I avert my eyes in embarrassment. But then the kiss is thankfully over, and Trish is shooting Double N a reproachful glare. Alejandro's sipping his drink, looking like he wants to escape.

With a start, I realize I recognize all these girls. They were a lot younger, and Trish wasn't covered in tattoos, but I've seen them. When Kaidan was taking me up to his penthouse after the HIT awards and I used his phone. I saw a picture of him with some friends on a sailboat. It was
these
friends. And the girl who looked creepily like me.

Kaidan makes a little more small talk as I covertly glance at the other group for a blonde like me. Nope. Not here. Not sure why I'm so relieved about that, but I am. Char name-drops her mother, and then I realize they're all looking at me.

“Sorry, what?” No way to play off how dumb I look.

Trish leans forward. “What do you do? We were just talking about how I'm a make-up artist, and Neveah and Nina own the Janus salons.”

“Oh, I just graduated, so… I'm still in the planning stages of my career,” I lie. The only thing I'm planning on doing is downing a couple drinks to deal with this awkwardness.

The twins exchange judgy looks, and then Kaidan is sweeping us away to the next group of friends. I eyeball the bar, hoping he takes the hint, but he seems so
excited
to show me off. That makes me feel all warm and bubbly inside, but wine would make it even better. Socializing with my boyfriend's old friends can only get easier with alcohol.