Scarlett Red: A Billionaire SEAL Story, Part 2 (In the Shadows) Read Online Free Page B

I start to argue, his expression shuts down, stubborn written all over it. I sigh and shrug. It’s not like I’m likely to rope anyone else into going with me within the next hour or two. “Fine, if you insist.”
    Bash holds my gaze for several seconds, like he wants to say something else. My heart thumps fast, and I work hard to keep my face from revealing just how tense I am. The way this man looks at me, his bold stare reminds me so much of Sebastian, it’s uncanny.
    I exhale a sigh of relief when he nods and leaves without another word.
    After I quickly change into a tank top, a lightweight, wide-weave sweater, a flowery skirt and sandals, I brush my teeth, run my fingers through my hair, then shove a pen and notepad into my purse. It’s just five o’clock. If I go now, it’s too early for rebel-rousers to be out drinking and already drunk enough to cause me issue. If not, the stun gun in my purse will take care of the rest.
    I open my door and startle at the sight of someone just outside. Bash is leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his broad chest.
    “What are you still doing here?” I ask, my tone sharper than I intend.
    “Waiting for you to do something stupid.”
    Irritated that he’d pegged me so well, I lie. “How is going downstairs to participate in Hawthorne’s activities stupid? I’m just doing what’s expected of me.” Without waiting for his answer, I blow past him and head straight for the stairs. At least then I can get out of his line of sight quickly. Waiting for the elevator would allow him too much time to stare at me. The man’s just too unnerving.
    Why did I ever think he was laidback? Oh yeah, the scruff on his jaw lulled me into thinking he actually relaxes from time to time. Maybe part of the reason he’s getting under my skin is because he brings back memories of Sebastian, but the other half is that he seems to see right through me. How did he know that I wasn’t going to wait for him to take me to Bayside? Do I have stubborn stamped on my forehead?
    Regardless, I don’t like that he makes my heart race, even when he’s being an overbearing ass. That’s the last thing I need right now. As soon as I reach the main floor and step into the lobby, a tall, blonde woman close to my age jumps up from a lobby chair, event pamphlet in hand.
    “Hi, please tell me you’re going to the Oaken bar. I really want to hit the wine tasting in there. We can walk in there together.” Dressed in an expensive pantsuit and designer flats, she waves manicured nails in the direction of the bar, a waft of expensive perfume floating my way while her confident expression fades somewhat. “This might be singles stuff, but after ending an eight-year relationship, I’m a little rusty at all of this.”
    I glance down at my sandaled feet and mid-thigh skirt, feeling very underdressed next to her. “Um, well…I’m not exactly dressed for a wine tasting.”
    Hooking her arm in mine, she smiles, her make-up creasing in a couple of places. “You’re fine, darling. I’m Cynthia Drummond by the way. Let’s go see what mischief we can get into.”
    I like her exuberance. She’s a bit over the top with her heavy makeup and bright pink lipstick but she seems fun. “You can call me T.”
    She blinks at me. “As in the wooden thingy a golf ball sits on?”
    Laughing, I let her pull me along. “Close enough.”
    When we enter the bar, a group of eight men and women from their mid-twenties up to mid-thirties are seated around one of the pub’s big wooden tables. A handsome blond guy dressed like a Manhattan lawyer is holding court with an empty bottle of vodka.
    “Apparently they’ve decided that vodka was to their taste,” Cynthia murmurs with a giggle before she draws me forward to hear what the guy is saying.
    “Ladies, welcome! You make us an even ten. Okay, I sent the staff on a wild goose chase for a specific wine, so we could have our own party instead of a stuffy tasting. Everyone