Page 25 of Evan

“You don’t like champagne?”

His deep voice dragged her from her curious inspection of the room.

“What?”

He nodded to the still full glass in her hand.

“I get lightheaded,” she admitted.

“And we wouldn’t want that. Hungry?” He inclined his head slightly and that’s all it took for a waitstaff carrying a tray of canapes to come gliding over. Without waiting for her response, he took two plates and handed her one. Guiding her to a paddedsofa in one corner of the room, he waited until she had sat down to take his seat next to her.

“I am star struck.” She told him with a laugh as she put her drink down and started nibbling on the delicious appetizer.

“I would never have guessed.” His teasing tone had her staring at him before laughing softly.

“I am in a room full of celebrities, it’s only natural.” Her eyes widened as she stared at a familiar gentleman. “Isn’t that Brian Hadly, the star of the new hit TV show?”

“Why don’t you finish eating and I will introduce you?” He suggested.

She nodded, scarcely trusting herself to speak.

Evan had been brought up in this kind of society and had taken it for granted. It surprised him that he was reacting so much to the woman’s reactions to the people she was introduced to.

Her poise and the gracious way she conducted herself had him almost beaming in admiration. She charmed the people she met and very soon, she was whisked away by several women, who were wives of members of his club.

Her introduction to Jackson and his brother, Jason had the jealousy rushing over him before he could help it, and then, he was forced to stand back as she and Jackson discussed art.

“She’s a lovely little thing.”

He had been so absorbed in staring at her, that he hadn’t noticed the man standing next to him. Cassandra was having an animated discussion with Jackson and several others and seemed not to remember that he was her date.

“Reginald.” His voice was cold and aloof, giving the older man the clear message that his presence was not welcome.

“I haven’t seen her around.” Ignoring the lack of enthusiasm in his voice, he lifted his glass of champagne to his lips as he studied Cassandra in his usual lascivious manner. “She a model?”

“No!” Evan clipped.

“Mind if I popped over and introduce myself?”

“I mind very much. Keep away from her.”

Reginald Atkins turned away from his appraisal of the stunning beauty to look at the young man next to him. “This one mean something to you. I would go as far as to say that she is not just a means of satisfying that very intense appetite of yours.

I happened to be in close proximity to the lovely young lady when she spoke about her involvement with a certain church.

And it had me recalling that you just recently handed a rather hefty check to said church. And she was photographed with you. Did I read somewhere that you attended services last Sunday?” Lifting the champagne to his lips, he smirked insolently.

“Your point?”

“Is she aware of your reputation and the hell you, your daddy and uncle and me of course, used to raise? Or is this your way of appeasing for the things you used to do?”

“I don’t have to listen to this…”

“Wonder what the sweet thing would say if she knew that we used to share women? Do you think she would be turned off by your rather lurid past?” He tilted his head as if in consideration. “Or being with a church going girl is your last desperate measure to rid the company of the taint of the past?”

“I suggest you leave now before I drag you out of here.” Evan could feel the pulse ticking at his temple and had to force himself to calm down. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Cassandra was making her way towards him and the last thing he wanted was for her to encounter someone like Reginald.

“I know for a fact that with all the press present tonight, the last thing you want is to make a scene.” He started to say something else, but the murderous look on the younger man’s face had him taking a step back.