Playing for Rya

26. Island Games II

Song: Ego by Beyoncé

Rattled and a more than a little confused by the rioting feelings within her, Rya slipped past the remaining people in her way, out the door, up the short flight of stairs and into the cool quiet hallway.

Sagging against the wall in relief, she supported her body against the cool cloth of the curtains as she fought the desire raging within her.

Dominic Leyland was a tool, his words nothing short of rude, his backhanded compliments more insulting than flattering, and the way he'd talked about his women like they were property whose sole purpose was to cater to his pleasure, was abhorrent...she rested her head against the wall and squeezed her eyes shut, calming her body's errant response to the desires he'd expressed, to his tactless, unrefined way of speaking and his seeming utter disregard for propriety...

'There you are,' a silky smooth female voice cut into her inner musing. Rya's eyes popped open, zeroing in on the dark skinned woman standing before her.

She straightened up as the woman continued speaking as though they'd been well acquainted before now.

'I became quite worried when I saw you leave the room in a bit of a hurry,' she said as she sidled closer to Rya, disregarding the propriety of personal space as she continued, 'did Dominic say something to upset you?' she asked.

Rya brows creased as she searched her memory for any clue that she'd met this woman before.

'I'm sorry, have we been introduced?' she asked politely while ignoring the woman's question.

The woman waved her hand daintily in the air and clutched her chest as she shook her head, 'oh no, we haven't been introduced, pardon my manners, I'm Lilah...'

Rya nodded and opened her mouth to introduce herself when the other woman's next words stopped her.

'...Dominic's woman.'

Rya's brow rose slightly as it suddenly occurred to her why the woman - Lilah - might have followed her.

She pushed off the wall, an action which brought her toe to toe with the other woman, 'look, Lilah,' she began, 'I assure you I have no interest in Dominic, if that's why you're here...'

'It's not,' the woman cut in sharply, 'and it wouldn't matter if you were interested,' she continued coldly as her eyes trailed over Rya's form, 'you're not his type,' she shrugged, 'which is why I was curious about you, but I see now that my curiosity was misplaced,' she said as she turned away, 'enjoy the rest of your evening...if you can.'  She waltzed away, disappearing around the bend.

......

Re-entering the now crowded ball room, Rya wound her way through the mingling guests, back to Elsa and Adrianna, who seemed perfectly content with each other's company as opposed to other guests who were more inclined to work the crowd, for the purposes of either business or pleasure.

Gio had resurfaced at Elsa's side and with him was another man she immediately recognized as one of the men she'd been with years before, in Derek's hotel suite.

He had his arms around Adrianna and the way she leaned against him signified a closeness and an easiness that could only exist between two people who had been intimate with each other for a significant period of time and were comfortable showcasing their affection for each other.

It also left no doubt in her mind that this was Dalton Sterling, her husband.

Her footsteps slowed as she drew closer to their little group, and she understood exactly why Elsa had expected her to remember him.