31. Lorelei

31

LORELEI

" B ottoms up, baby," Kieran calls before lifting his tequila shot and downing it in one quick swallow.

The two ladies on either side of him watch him closely as they sip their champagne.

No sooner did we join them at the bar after we first arrived than Kieran was whisked away to deal with some official business, much to his disgruntlement. He wanted to party, that much was obvious.

With the season in full swing, I can't imagine he manages to find much time to kick back, but it seems that he's happily forgetting the pressure that's on his shoulders right now and making the most of his rare Friday night off. I'm sure it'll be back to business tomorrow.

Kian shakes his head as he sips on his whiskey while I mirror Kieran and down my shot.

My cell buzzes again, but this time I ignore it.

"What?" I ask when I catch Kian studying me closely.

I might be willing to support this cause, but I still have to spend my night with all these people. I deserve a drink or, I don't know, five, maybe.

Add the shot to the champagne that's already bubbling through my veins, and I'm probably a little too tipsy already, but I figure we have a full sit-down meal shortly.

It'll be fine. Everything will be fine.

"So, Lori, what did my big brother here do to convince you to be his date tonight?"

"I asked," Kian grunts, making Kieran throw his head back and laugh.

His dates simultaneously follow suit, tittering along with him as if it'll help their chances of securing something serious with him by laughing at whatever he finds funny.

I don't mean to be judgy, but when I overheard them talking about their "jobs" earlier and one of them was expressing how annoying it was that Daddy refused to fund a six-month trip around Europe, I was done.

"Come off it. I saw how pissed she was at you yesterday. There is no way in hell she'd have just agreed."

"Then maybe you don't know enough about the situation as you think you do."

Kieran is about to respond when I add, "He's talking shit. He blackmailed me into coming."

Kieran's face lights up like a kid who's just been told it's Christmas day.

"I knew it," he says punching the air, a smug grin spreading across his lips.

"Asshole," Kian mutters before grasping my elbow lightly and turning me away from his brother and his harem. "Let's go and check out the silent auction before dinner is served."

With a smile at Kieran, I allow Kian to guide me to the room where all the auction items are kept.

I can predict what I'll find inside. Luxury breaks in the most exclusive resorts worldwide, courtesy of Callahan Enterprises, of course. Stays on billionaires' yachts. Luxury boxes for Chicago Chiefs games throughout the season. There are tickets for hockey games, baseball, and basketball. There are track days in cars I've never heard of, flying lessons, and a whole host of other things that get the wealthiest excited enough to pull out their fat checkbooks and make some unbelievable offers.

"How much?" I gawp, looking at the most recent price someone has written down for the exact box Kian and I watched the game from on Sunday. "Did it cost you this much to take me?"

He smirks at me but shakes his head, refusing to answer before scribbling something on another lot.

I don't bother looking at what he's bidding on. It's only going to make my head explode, I'm sure.

Walking off, I take in everything else that is on offer, discreetly watching as men and women alike place eyewatering bids. As someone who's had to fight for every single cent she's ever had, it's mind-boggling to watch people throw it around like it's nothing.

I'm staring at a photo of a mega yacht when Kian steps up behind me. I don't need to look around to know it's him. The tingles and the way my body heats tell me everything I need.

His large hand lands on my waist, and I curse myself when I flinch. I don't want him to know I'm affected by his presence, but I feel it's a fight that I'm losing.

He moves closer still, the heat of his body spreading down my back, making every single inch of my skin prickle with awareness.

His breath rushes over my exposed neck, and I noticeably shudder.

Squeezing my eyes closed, I silently pray that he won't have felt it. But I know he has.

"Have you finished?"

A bitter laugh erupts.

"Have I finished?" I balk.

Does he really think I was about to offer up the next ten years of my salary to spend seven days in the Mediterranean on this mega yacht?

"Let's go and find our seats." His hand once again slips into mine, sending a rush of warmth up my arm.

Instantly, a calmness washes through me.

"The menu for tonight looks incredible," he says after nodding at someone I don't recognize.

"I wouldn't know. I haven't seen the invite," I mutter.

He chuckles beside me before leading me into a huge ballroom.

"Wow," I breathe, attempting to take it all in.

They might be raising money for underprivileged kids, but they haven't held back with the glitz and glamor.

"Wouldn't the money that's been spent on all this have been better off going to the cause?" I ask quietly as Kian studies the table plan and finds our seats.

"In theory, yes. But things aren't always that black and white."

I want to ask more, but I keep my mouth shut, fearing it will only irritate me more.

I need to remember that all those insane figures I just read on the auction lots are going to this charity. It'll help many young athletes with their dreams of playing professional sports that, for whatever reason, they can't achieve on their own. That is what tonight is about…so why we need four-foot floral decorations on our tables and gold cutlery. I've no idea.

Kian holds my chair out for me, being the gentleman that I catch glimpses of every now and then, before slipping his jacket off and sitting beside me.

"Would it be naive of me to ask what you think?" he murmurs.

I've been to events before. But I have never experienced something on this scale.

"Yes."

I squirm in my seat. I'm further out of my depth than I ever have been in my life.

I thought the boutique and the salon were bad, but this…this is next level.

Kian's hand brushes across my back before his thumb caresses my bare shoulder.

"If it makes you feel any better, you're the most beautiful woman here."

My insides tighten at the honesty in his tone.

"Is that supposed to make me feel better?" I hiss, trying to hold onto my irritation and not allow myself to be swept along with his smooth words.

"It isn't meant to do anything. I'm just telling you the truth. Everyone is enthralled by you."

"Kian," I warn.

"They all want to know who you are."

I tense, panic shooting through me.

Why didn't I think about this?

I bet there are people out there right now doing a deep dive on Google to find out who Kian Callahan's date for this event is. They will want to know what family I belong to, if I'm worthy of a man of his stature.

A bitter laugh dances on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it.

I already know what conclusion they're going to come to.

I'm not worthy. Nowhere even close.

"I don't want that. I'm no one."

The need to escape my own thoughts becomes too much and I reach for my purse, grabbing my cell again and hating that my nose itches with emotion.I almost groan when I find more of the same messages waiting for me.

Lock it down, Lorelei.

You're working.

Be professional.

But that's all shot to shit when Kian reaches out and tucks two fingers beneath my chin, giving me little choice but to turn to look at him.

His concerned dark green eyes lock on mine, searching for a few seconds as if he'll find the answers he wants within them.

"You're someone, Lorelei. Trust me, you're very much someone."

My lips part in shock, and his eyes drop to them.

My heart does a little somersault, and my temperature soars.

He wants to kiss you.

Here.

In front of all these people.

He wouldn't, though.

Would he?

"You two look lonely," a familiar deep voice sings before the chair beside me is pulled out, allowing a large body to drop into it.

Kian's fingers instantly drop, leaving me cold and bereft of his touch.

"How are you enjoying your first KC Foundation event, Lori?" Kieran asks with excitement glittering in his eyes.

I may have witnessed him do a shot or two earlier, but that look isn't from alcohol. It's from knowing he's doing something good. It's pride.

"It's...a lot."

He smirks. "So it should be. I planned it."

"Christ," Kian mutters.

Kieran leans closer. "Want to know a secret, Lori?"

"No, she doesn't," Kian hisses.

"Calm down, Bro. I'm not gonna tell her that I was potty trained before you. Late starter in life, this one," Kieran adds.

"Fuck's sake. Don't listen to a word he says about me."

"Don't worry, K. Lori is a smart girl. She knows the truth when she hears it. Anyway, I digress. Do you know the best way to fleece the wealthy out of their money?"

"Steal it?" I deadpan.

"Nah, way too much hard work, babe."

Kian sucks in a sharp breath through his teeth, but as much as I might want to see his expression right now, I don't take my attention from Kieran.

"Stroke their egos. Make them feel special. Treat them. And in return," he says, sitting back and holding his arm out to gesture to the room, "you can create magic."

"Arrogant fuck."

I can't help but snort at Kian's comment.

"Takes one to know one," Kieran quips, shooting his big brother a look before returning his gaze to me. "You want anything out of my big brother here, I just gave you the keys to the castle, babe."

"I don't want anything from Kian."

A deep laugh rumbles deep in Kieran's chest.

"Babe, from how close the two of you were sitting when we came over, I'd beg to differ. And anyway, every woman on the planet wants something from the three of us. With King now off the market, it's allowed me and K here to do God's work."

"Fuck my life. Is it too late to change tables?" Kian barks.

"You wouldn't want to be anywhere else, and you know it. By the end of the night, Lori is going to know everything."

And to my surprise, Kieran does a very good job on following through with that promise.

Despite having two dates to entertain him, tonight's MVP spends almost all his time talking to me and winding Kian up to the point I'm pretty sure steam started coming out of his ears.

It was during a particularly amusing story about Kian's first crush that he'd finally had enough, shoved his chair back, and stormed away.

"You're evil," I tell Kieran honestly.

"Pfft, asshole is more than used to it. Funny, though, he's never cared this much before. I wonder why that is."

As Kian promised, dinner was incredible. And with a Callahan brother sitting on either side of me, I was saved from making small talk with Kieran's dates or the others sitting at our table.

Kian's still gone when the compere steps up on stage and asks for everyone's attention.

Silence falls around the room before he finds Kieran in the crowd and invites him up to the stage to a thunderous round of applause.

I'm so lost watching the man of the moment move through the crowd, shaking hands with men and kissing women's cheeks as he goes, that I don't notice Kian return.

"That's sure to help his ego," he mutters, reaching for his drink and draining the glass.

"He's doing a good thing. Let him have it."

I feel Kian's side-eye burn down my face, but I don't turn to look. Like the rest of the room, I'm too enthralled with his little brother.