Irresistible Charms Read online

  “Hello, Killian.” – the lady said nearing both of us. She seemed unbothered by the sight of Killian’s half-naked form.

  “And I would ask what your name is, but by now you are probably number fifty so it will be easier for me to just go with your number instead.”

  The cold sarcasm in her voice angered me deeply, although it was more the fact that Killian didn’t bother to prove her wrong that made my blood boil.

  “What are you doing here, Debora?” – Killian finally spoke. The woman scoffed and looked around the place. She traced a finger over the bookshelf across from the kitchen counter and showed him her dusty finger with raised brows.

  “Not having any time to clean, I see. It appears that your mind is being preoccupied with the next number in line.” – I could see in his eyes that he was trying to keep his composure.

  “Relax.” – She said, her heels ticking over the marble floor. “I am just here to give you these.” She reached in her handmade bag and handed him some papers.

  “You could not have dropped them at my office?” – Killian retorted, annoyed by the fact that she bothered them with her presence. She answered him with a smile that revealed her refined European features.

  “Oh, you know, it is always fun to come around and meet a number or two and looking at the expression of this one.” – she pointed at me, without sparing me a second look – “it appears that she just learned of your wife’s existence.”

  Chapter 7

  My eyes widened at her last sentence. I did not have the power to utter a single word out of humiliation; instead, I glared at Killian and ran off to the bedroom.

  I heard the front door shut a moment after I angrily stormed into the bedroom.

  “Evelyn, please, let me explain.” – Killian pleaded, but I did not listen. I was putting on my jeans, pulling up the zipper, when he caught my hand, but I slapped him on the arm instead. The hurt in my eyes was speaking for itself; I would not let him convince me with any of his lies.

  “Look at the papers.” – he said handing them over, but I threw them away instead. He breathed out heavily and got them from the ground.

  “I understand that you do not want to listen to me, so please at least look at them!” – I snatched them out of his hand and took a look. The expression on my face softened – it was just a document confirming that their divorce had been finalized. This did not erase his guilt, however. I gave him back the papers and finished putting my blouse on.

  “You should have told me, Killian.” – I told him disappointed. Just a minute before I wanted to run away from his apartment and never see him again, now that I know he had no obligation to this woman, I still felt bitter, but knew that he did not lie to me. Although, my primal emotions got the best out of me yet again. He embraced me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

  “I never found the proper time to do so, Evelyn, but I admit that it would have been better if you knew.” – a dark chuckle found its way past my lips and I faced him after remembering her comment about me.

  “Number fifty?” – the gentle look on his face was quickly replaced by the one of annoyance. He shook his head and caressed my cheek.

  “She should have never said that.” – Killian tried to assure me, but I waved him off.

  “Why? Because a true gentleman never keeps count?” – for a moment I knew he was trying to read my poker face, but I decided to end his torture rather soon and stuck out my tongue at him. A relieved smile shone on his face and he leaned in for a kiss, which I masterfully evaded.

  “Not so fast, I am still mad at you.”

  ֍

  “I would like you to accompany me to an event tonight” – Killian said while we were watching a movie, snuggled on his big, leather couch. I moved my attention from the fighting scene to him.

  “Hasn’t our day been eventful enough?” – I teased him and he tickled my sides. Wonder how he knows where to tickle me.

  “Clever, are we not?” – he added quickly. “It is a family event, my parents’ anniversary actually. I cannot miss it and I would love it if you came with me.” – it flattered me deeply that he decided to ask me out to something as important as the anniversary of his parents, but I was nervous about it and he could sense it.

  “Isn’t it a bit early for such introductions?” – I asked and felt him kiss the top of my head encouragingly.

  “On the contrary – I would hate wasting any more time.”

  Chapter 8

  Killian had some work in town and I had to go to the office in the afternoon. In two days, we were expecting a huge furniture delivery at the new R&R building and I had to have everything prepared. I also met with some of the new employees and showed them around, where their desks would be, answered many of their questions about the positions, and assured them that if they ever need assistance, they can turn to me.

  After driving back home from work, I found a package in front of the door of my apartment. I did not recall ordering anything online so I was quite confused with what it might have been. While I was looking through my bag for the keys, a delivery boy asked me for my name. He was holding a black garment bag in one hand. When he confirmed that I was indeed Miss Gallagher, he handed me the bag along with a blue envelope and left.

  My apartment was just as I left it, organized, but a little bit dusty now as I have not been home for the last several days. I was curious to find out what was hidden behind the garment bag and in the package, but first, I had to open the envelope.

  “I will be honored to have the most beautiful woman accompany me tonight. I can’t wait to see you again. Yours, K.H.”

  Reading the beautifully handwritten lines made my heart flutter with excitement. Unzipping the bag revealed a gorgeous long, green satin dress with a slit on the side and an off the shoulder element. I could not imagine anything more delicate and perfect for such an event. With fidgeting fingers, I moved toward the purple package – I opened it and under the many layers of colorful paper was hidden a pair of golden sandals. I could not wait to put everything on and see the smile on

  Killian’s face when he came to pick me up later tonight.

  Not knowing what to expect from the evening had given me a headache the whole day; deep down, I was sure that something would definitely go wrong. With a man as unpredictable as Killian, one should always expect the unexpected. But looking at the beautiful dress, the letter, the shoes – he was showing me devoted attention like no one else before, even though I cannot say that we had known each other for too long.

  At moments, it all seemed too good to be true and I was wondering if maybe it was all part of a sick joke life way playing on me; every time such thought would pass through my mind, however, Killian would be there to prove me wrong. As of yet, he had not failed in making me believe that maybe all of this was never a coincidence, but pure fate. For once in my life, I was ready to embrace whatever life decided to throw at me and roll with it because he was giving me the confidence to forge my own rules and play by them only.

  ֍

  The knock on my door made my heart skip a beat. I was finally ready after applying red lipstick. The dress stuck to me like glue, the shoes were shining underneath it; my hair was up, revealing the only golden necklace I had – a small heart pendant with a Latin inscription on it. I took a final breath, ready to dive into this new adventure and with this, I opened the door.

  Killian was as handsome as ever, standing straight with a beaming smile and a flower in his hand. It seemed he was lost for words as all he could do for the first few moments was stare at me in complete awe.

  “Never in my wildest dreams have I ever imagined something more beautiful than the sight of you tonight, Evelyn.” – his charming words made me blush and giggle like a star-struck school girl. He offered me his hand and I gladly took it.

  On the ride over to his parents’ mansion, I asked him to play my favorite songs and not talk about anything else as I was nervous enough already.
/>   “There is nothing to be nervous about” – Killian assured me. “They should be the nervous ones, for they have never seen a woman more beautiful than yourself.” – with that said, he kissed the back of my hand gently and helped me out of the car.

  I had never been to such an event before and I was surprised when we entered the mansion – I imagined it like the Oscars after-party, but I suppose I missed the mark with this, though. Everyone was looking very elegant, but the atmosphere was not pressuring at all. Most people were enjoying a chat with the rest of the guests – it felt welcoming and not that scary at all.

  Killian was probably the most awaited guest, aside from his parents. It seemed like everyone wanted to have a piece of him and the reactions of seeing me standing next to him, clinging to his arm, differed. Some would smile and start a quick chat right away, maybe even let a joke here and there; other nodded politely and faked their interest for a quick moment before moving away to other guests; of course, there were people who stared and whispered – but the world would not be the same without them anyway, would it not?

  Overall, the people with whom I spoke and were genuinely happy to see me, even though for the first time, were pleasant and kind. A couple of his friends mocked him for leaving his old bachelor lifestyle, but there was no harm in that. In fact, seeing Killian turn red for the first time was rather amusing.

  His parents were asked to hold a speech in front of the guests. Killian asked me to join him at the front, but I politely declined his offer – so much attention in one day was making my head dizzy and these shoes, although gorgeous, were not the most comfortable to stand in for a long time. I made my way over to one of the velvet couches and immediately felt relieved when sitting.

  The speech was truly wonderful, but my moment of enjoying it was interrupted when I saw Killian’s now ex-wife from the corner of my eye. She also noticed me and decided it would be highly appropriate to join me, instead of running to the other end of the room.

  “I love them with all my heart, but every year it’s the same speech.” – she said after sitting down next to me. She was wearing a long bodycon, black dress with sleeves and cut out back. She was truly a stunning woman and, from the way, she carried herself with such confidence, I was sure she knew it.

  I said nothing to her remark, finding it slightly inappropriate as someone might hear her. In fact, seeing her here took me by surprise, but she had been a part of Killian’s family probably for years, so I suppose her presence was unavoidable.

  “I trust Killian failed to introduce us the first time.” – she continued and extended her hand over. “Debora Alberti.” This time, she gave me what seemed at least to be a genuine smile, so I took her hand and shook it.

  “Number fifty, also known as Evelyn Gallagher or just Eve to my friends.” –

  Debora let out a laugh at my introduction and took a martini from the table.

  “Good sense of humor. I appreciate that! The last one lacked it tremendously.”

  Chapter 9

  After talking with Debora for some time, she no longer seemed to me like a cold-hearted, stone-faced person, on the contrary – she was funny, but very sophisticated; witty and knew very well how to read people’s emotions and hide hers in return.

  “So, Eve, what do you do, besides sleeping with my ex-husband?” – by that time, both of us had shared a martini and I was no longer affected by her snarly comments. In fact, I had already learned this was just her way to communicate. She was Italian after all and thus very direct and highly outspoken.

  “I am a publishing agent at R&R.” – her brows rose when I mentioned the name, apparently, it rang a bell for her.

  “Interesting how small the world is.” – she said with a smile and a daring look. “I suppose you are familiar with Rob Rolling then?” – I wondered what would be the best way to answer her question without giving out too much information or having her discover my secret.

  “He is the co-owner and my boss, so yes, I do know who he is.” – I answered as laconically as possible and took a sip of my next martini. If Debora was going to continue with such questions, I will finish it before I have the chance to think about it.

  She told me how both of them used to work together before he decided to open the agency. From her words, however, I suspected that there was something more between them, not just work, although who was I to blame or judge her for it?

  “What about you Debora, what do you do?” – I tried directing the conversation to her. Looking at this gorgeous woman, one would think that she would love to talk about herself. How wrong would that person be, however.

  “I would hate to bore you with stories about myself, Eve.” – she started, then reached for her bag and got out a pack of cigarettes. The grey smoke mysteriously twirled around her as she continued.

  “Instead, I would like to give you a piece of advice.” – Debora moved closer to me; standing next to such a beautiful woman made me feel slightly uncomfortable, but at the same time, my building sympathies for her character helped me relax.

  “Don’t try to keep anything away from him. We had many secrets from each other and look where this brought us.” – as much as I hated thinking about Killian’s past with her, I highly appreciated her honesty. Debora knew she could come off as mean and cold to most, but this did not stop her to say what was on her mind and this made me respect her, although I would never ask her to be my bridesmaid.

  She smiled at me and wished me a lovely night right in time. Her path crossed with Killian’s whose brows were furrowed down.

  “What did she tell you?” – he asked, concerned. His arm was wrapped securely around my waist when he felt me walking unsteadily beside him. He glanced at the four empty martini glasses left on the table and immediately looked back to me. “How many martinis did you have exactly?”

  I giggled and pat him over the shoulder. “Just two, the other two were your wife’s and she is actually not that bad. I might even dare and say that I enjoyed her company tonight, keeping in mind that you left me all alone.” – Killian’s expression was unreadable again, he was most likely out of words as to how on earth I had found common ground with his ex-wife.

  As much as I wanted to share with him the contents of my lovely conversation with Debora, my mind was too dizzy to form a proper sentence. My bad luck, however, brought on me something unexpected and highly unwelcomed at that very moment. Killian’s mother greeted us both and his father followed closely behind her.

  They asked how our evening was going and Killian was so kind to reply on both of our behalves. “We are happy to meet you, dear.” – his mother smiled at me, her form was beginning to get a little bit cloudy in front of my eyes, but I managed to smile and thank them politely. I wished them a happy anniversary and kindly asked them to excuse me.

  Making a fool of myself in front of the parents of the man with whom I was with was definitely not the kind of first impression I wanted to leave, so instead of staying and possibly humiliating myself by saying or doing something inappropriate, I decided to let Killian finish his small chat and wait for him in the garden.

  The chilly air hit me so suddenly that it almost made me sober up. I had forgotten my coat inside, but it was too late to go back, so instead, I had to wait for Killian to come and hope he would not forget to bring it with him.

  “Evelyn?” – an unfamiliar voice asked. I turned around to face a young man, dressed in a black suit. He had a cigarette between his fingers. The confusion on my face must have been very obvious as he immediately apologized and extended his hand.

  “William Hass, I am Killian’s brother. I heard the guests talking about you and could not help but introduce myself as well.” – I shook his hand and considered his statement. Apparently, I was the focal point of the event; Debora also did not fail to mention that people were gossiping about me.

  Unsure of what to say, I was simply standing there, hands wrapped around my arms, trying to keep myself warm.
/>   “Is my brother really such a gentleman?” – William pointed out sarcastically and shook his head. He put the cigarette between his lips and took off his blazer.

  “Please take this, you are shivering.” – he said, placing the blazer around my shoulders. I thanked him with a smile, only then noticing the motorcycle behind him. There was a leather jacket and a helmet too rested on the seat.

  “Yours?” – I pointed at the bike, William turned around to glance at the beauty and then nodded.

  “The love of my life.” – he joked, not expecting to hear his older brother’s voice from the distance.

  “Next time ask the love of your life to bail you out then?” – Killian mocked his brother, who frowned and stepped on his cigarette.

  “Come on Killian, you cannot talk like that in front of the ladies.” – William teased back, nudging his brother in the ribs.