Read Online Midnight (McKenna Chronicles Book 1) by Elizabeth Miller - Free Book Online Page B

I’m trying to work through the sudden onslaught of jealousy I so
don’t want to feel.
    After
a moment, curiosity wins out. “So, are they back together?” Colin told me he
didn’t have a girlfriend and I wonder if he lied.
    “Not
that I know of. I heard Raquel wasn’t pleased when he broke it off with her
last year and she’s been trying to get him back ever since, hence the
over-the-top party to celebrate his candidacy.”
    “Sounds
a lot like Ella.”
    “Maybe
once you have him you can’t get him out of your system. Like an addiction.”
    Hmm,
sounds about right . I haven’t had him, but I can’t get him out of my system
and that’s a problem.
    “How
about we head to the bar and get something a little stronger than this shit?”
Molly tips her head back to finish her drink.
    “Agree.
Then let’s go find you a husband.” I can’t help but laugh at her enthusiastic
expression.
    ~
    There
isn’t enough alcohol in the world to prepare me for this, Colin and Raquel
Meyers. Her arm is draped delicately across his back guiding him through the
room, close to where Molly is bantering with a group of men. She’s an expert at
flirtation and the four men surrounding her are lapping up every sound of her
voice, every coy tilt of her head and every sexy flip of her hair. All of the
traits I’m seriously lacking, and each of them I wish to possess right now.
    Colin
is stunning in a black suit, the lines hugging his tight, muscled frame, the
white crisp of his shirt highlighted by a slim, simple black tie held in place
by a silver tie-clip. He is devastatingly handsome, as each woman staring
adoringly at him could testify to, including myself. Damn it. I wish
wholeheartedly he didn’t have an effect on me, but he does. The rapid beat of
my heart and hitch in my breath the moment I see him is a testament to that
fact. Damn him, and damn my traitorous heart.
    It
takes a monumental effort on my part to drag my eyes away. I side step behind
one of the large men in our quartet to hide, but it’s only a moment before I’m
peeking out from behind him to watch Colin and his date. Raquel is
beautiful—striking, actually. Tall and slim—as in, supermodel skinny—her red
silk dress falls delicately around her hips, the neckline dipping sharply. Her
dark hair is sleek and straight, shining past her shoulders. With eyes as dark
as her hair she exudes sensuality, and an unparalleled provocative elegance
wraps around her like a snake. Oozing confidence, she laughs elegantly. Raquel
Meyers is perfect.
    An
illogical surge of jealousy rips through my abdomen at the sight of them
together, piercing in its sudden onslaught, to the point where I draw in a quick,
sharp breath. I know it’s ridiculous, yet it’s real and unwanted. There's no
comparison between Raquel and myself; I’m simple and uncomplicated, far from
the stunning creation gracing his arm.
    Thankfully
Molly hasn’t seen Colin and isn’t aware of the change in my demeanor, or what
I’m sure was not a casual perusal of Raquel. Determined not to torture myself,
I nod to Molly that I’m heading to the bar, when in actuality I’m planning to
seek refuge as far away from them as possible.
    With
one last glance at Colin I slip into the crowd, swallowed by the monotony of
three hundred people. An urgent need to escape clamps down and I need space, I
need to be anywhere but here.
    During
my quick flight I accidentally bump into Evan, knocking him hard enough that he
lunges forward.
    “I’m
so sorry, Evan.” I stumble, clutching his arm to ensure we’re both steady.
    “Everything
okay?” Concern is evident in his eyes.
    “Yes,
absolutely, I’m just headed outside to clear my head from the champagne.” I
smile, hoping desperately he believes the lie.
    “Do
you need me to hold your hair for you?”
    I
can’t help but laugh as he teases me. “No thanks. I can manage.”
    “Okay,
let me know if you need anything. I’m happy to assist.”
    I
choose not to go