Undertow by K.R. Conway (1st book in trilogy)

Chapter 21

Ana looked downright devastating. There were no other words for my friend in the fiery gown she wore, her short golden hair slightly wild with the ruby-headband tucked neatly behind her ears. It was a complete transformation from her typical look and I could tell Kian was having trouble keeping his eyes off her as we rode in the limo to The Breakers.

Kian, Raef and MJ were discussing what should happen if Raines turned out to have a serious distaste for the Lunaterra and, by extension, me. Ana and I just looked at each other silently across the car as the homes grew in size and elegance outside the window. I knew that she too was concerned for all of us. Tonight was a huge gamble.

I saw Kian glance at her again, but this time Ana saw it as well, and they held each other's gaze for a few seconds. She was afraid for him as she listened in on what was clearly a plan to use themselves as shields to get us out of The Breakers if needed. I took a deep breath and Raef, sitting next to me, squeezed my hand.

"We're just being careful, that's all," he said, looking at me. "It won't be necessary. It won't."

I was frightened, though not because of Raines. I feared the idea of ever having to leave Raef. He reached up and touched my face. "It's okay to be scared," he said. It was an intimate gesture, as if he forgot we were not alone.

I glanced over to our company. They seemed completely unfazed and I realized they knew about Raef and I. Even though we never showed the heat between us in front of them, they just knew. And they didn't seem to mind.

"Oh for crying out loud, just kiss her," said MJ, smiling. Raef glanced his way and, being the best gentleman he could, lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed my palm, causing my lifeline to tingle.

"Wimp," said MJ, slouching back in his seat.

"A gentleman is never an exhibitionist with his . . . lady. Such things should be reserved for private," said Raef.

I turned five shades of scarlet. Ana raised an eyebrow and I knew she was wondering exactly how far "intimate" went. I shook my head no very slightly but she gave me a disbelieving look. Oh hell.

Kian glanced at her again and tried to control a small smirk. She didn't miss it and he quickly turned and looked out the window at the iron scroll gates of The Breakers.

Was my love life destined to be a regular topic of curious conversation?

I wanted to crawl under the leather seat and hide.

Maybe with Raef.

Definitely with Raef.

* * * * *

To say that Mr. Vanderbilt likes his homes on the larger side was the biggest understatement of the century. It was a house . . . no, MANSION, overlooking the ocean.

Completely built of white stone with intricate carvings of cherubs, the home contained what seemed like 100 windows. The red roof three stories up was topped with more chimneys than I could count. It was opulence, glamour and an absolute fairytale in granite and gold leaf.

A red velvet runner led to the doors, which were open and flanked by men in topcoats and tails. A footman opened the door to our limo and stepped aside as MJ climbed out, tugging at his tux. He looked like a young GQ model, and several other women that were walking in glanced at him and nearly swooned. Hero Boy looked hot.

Kian got out next and helped Ana carefully. In the light of the mansion towering above, she glowed like the surface of Mars. Radiant, the other guests looked at her in awe. She hooked her arm in Kian's, equally stunning in a black, Armani-esque tux, and he leaned into her, whispering something in her ear. She actually giggled.