Gorgeous: Book One (Gorgeous #1) - Lisa Shelby Page 0,1

a couple of feet away.

"Oh, Olivia, there you are! The night has been superb. Cheers to all of your hard work. I can't thank you enough, my dear."

Olivia.

"Mrs. Evers, I'm so glad to hear it, and it has been my pleasure! The auction has been a huge success. I was just checking all the tables, and we've raised more than I ever could have expected! Is there anything you or Dr. Evers need?"

Her voice...her voice sounds like the smoothest bourbon. Soothing. I could listen to her talk all night.

"Oh, we're just fine, but I would like you to meet someone who has been very impressed with your work here tonight." Standing stock-still, I’m not really hearing anything Sheila says, she has to take me by the arm and give me a little pull to place me in front of the most mesmerizing woman I have ever seen. "Olivia Adams, meet Ronan McKinley. Ronan was one of our biggest donors this evening."

I extend my hand, and when she places hers in mine, the rest of the world vanishes. I can see it in her eyes as well. There's some kind of chemical reaction happening here, and she upsets me in the best possible way. But I also see confusion in her gaze, and her smile fades.

Her eyes hold mine, and from this close, I can see a tiny scar above her eyebrow. Just as I had imagined, her eyes are brown. Dark, doe eyes that are mysterious and maybe even a little sad.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Miss Adams." I give her a squeeze as my grip holds steady, not wanting the moment to pass.

Suddenly, the woman who had been so bubbly and personable to every person she crossed paths with a mere moment ago, seems quiet and shy.

"Very nice to meet you as well." She shakes her head, and her eyes quickly look down at the ground, and slowly she pulls her hand from mine. Clearly, she too is affected and can feel whatever this is between us.

With her eyes no longer where I can see them, I feel as though I'm being robbed of something precious. A gift. I need to see them again.

"Excuse me, Mrs. Evers, but I need to go help wrap up the auction. Please let me know if you need anything at all." For the briefest of moments her chocolate eyes find mine, but now there is something that seems fearful; as though she can't flee fast enough. "It was nice to meet you, Mr. McKinley. Have a lovely evening."

And just like that she's gone.

The feeling of want, need, and even possessiveness that takes over in the instant she walks away is irrational, yes, but there all the same.

2

Olivia

My mind has been reeling since last night. I still can't take my mind off the events that have continued to replay in my head while getting from my car to the safety inside the elevator. My thoughts have my usual alert self off her game, and I startle when a man rounds the concrete column ahead of me, but much to my relief he takes the stairs.

I'm beyond grateful when the elevator doors finally open and even more so when the doors close, and I'm the only person inside. The parking garage underneath the hotel always makes me uncomfortable. I do my best not to live in fear, but I also try to always be aware of my surroundings. Once I start making my ascent to the fifth floor, where my office awaits, a smile finds its way to my face, and I can feel the excitement of last night all over again.

"We did it, Alex! It went off without a hitch!"

Alex pulls me into a hug and squeals, "You did it, Olivia! It was all you. This was your baby, and it was perfect! Congratulations!"

I pull my shoes off and take a seat in the now empty ballroom, and it seems odd to think that such a short time ago this room was full of beautifully dressed people and amazing decor. Now, with the lights up and all of my hard work being torn down, the exhaustion sets in, and a case of delirium must follow because my mind keeps going back to him. I know his name, but thinking of him having a name makes it too real, and he is nothing short of a fantasy.

He seemed almost fictional. Like he had walked right out of some modern-day fairytale. It wasn't simply because