The holiday lights outside the car window blurred into a soft glow as Collin guided the vehicle through the bustling streets of downtown. Reese sat beside him, adjusting the hem of her emerald-green wrap dress as she stole glances at him. The low hum of Christmas carols played faintly from the radio, adding a layer of calm to the evening.
Collin broke the silence first, his voice laced with amusement. "So, before we get there, let me give you the rundown."
Reese raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The rundown?"
He glanced at her briefly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Who to avoid and how to survive. This crowd can be... tricky."
Reese chuckled, leaning slightly toward him. "Oh, this should be good."
He tapped the steering wheel rhythmically, as if gathering his thoughts. "First up: Peter. Harmless guy, but he will trap you in an endless conversation about cryptocurrency. coin this, Ethereum that. If you value your sanity, steer clear."
Reese laughed, the melodic sound cutting through the night air. "Noted. No coin debates."
"Then there's Kelly," Collin continued, shaking his head. "She'll have a wine glass in one hand and a plate of food in the other. She's sweet, but don't ask her how she's been unless you want a deep dive into her divorce."
"Yikes," Reese said, suppressing a grin.
"Exactly," Collin replied. "And then there's Sarah—Mason's new assistant. Lovely girl, but she doesn't understand boundaries. Be prepared for rapid-fire questions about how we met, when we're getting married, and whether we've named our future children yet."
Reese raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in amusement. "Sounds... thorough."
"She means well," Collin added with a chuckle. "But trust me, you don't want to get caught in her web of curiosity."
"And Mason himself?" Reese asked, feigning innocence. "I've met him before right?"
Collin rolled his eyes, though his smile didn't fade. "Yes. Mason's fine. Just don't mention the time I beat him in fantasy football. It's been years but still a sore subject."
"Ah, yes," Reese teased, her tone dry. "The epic clash of the Titans."
Collin laughed, his gaze softening as he glanced at her again. "You're going to be great. Just stick with me, and I'll make sure no one corners you—unless it's Sarah. Then you're on your own."
Reese leaned back in her seat, her lips curving into a faint smile. As the car slowed at a red light, Collin reached over, his hand brushing against hers before enveloping it completely. His thumb traced a gentle pattern across her knuckles, and for a moment, the noise of the city seemed to fade. Finally they had arrived.
The venue for the party was nothing short of impressive, its modern decor accented with understated holiday touches. String lights hung elegantly from the ceiling, and sleek poinsettia arrangements adorned the corners of the room. A grand Christmas tree stood in the center, its ornaments a mix of shimmering silver and deep crimson.
Reese entered beside Collin, her arm lightly resting on his, her heels clicking softly against the polished floors. She felt a surge of warmth as Collin introduced her to his colleagues, each exchange filled with polite smiles and casual small talk.
At first, she stayed close to his side, her presence a steady anchor. But as the evening wore on, Collin was inevitably pulled into deeper work-related conversations, leaving her to navigate the room alone. She sipped her champagne, scanning the crowd for a familiar face when a voice stopped her in her tracks—smooth, confident, and unmistakable.
"Ms. Sutherlin."
Her breath hitched as she turned, her heart skipping at the sight of Christian Grey. His tailored charcoal suit was immaculate, the crisp white shirt beneath it accentuating his sharp, commanding presence. His piercing gray eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, the noise of the party faded to a dull hum.
"Mr. Grey?" she managed, her voice a mix of surprise and apprehension. "What are you doing here?"
Christian's lips curved into a faint smirk, the kind that sent a jolt through her chest. "Business," he replied simply, his tone carrying an edge of amusement.
Before she could respond, Collin appeared beside her, his expression lighting up in recognition. "Mr. Grey," he said, extending a hand. "Thank you for coming tonight. I know it's a bit informal, but I have to say, we are happy to be getting your business and I personally look forward to working with you."
Christian's gaze flickered briefly to Collin as he shook his hand, his grip firm yet unhurried. "Likewise," he said coolly, his eyes quickly returning to Reese.
As Collin launched into another round of pleasantries, Reese felt her chest tighten. Christian's focus on her was unrelenting, his piercing gaze a tether she couldn't break free from. She fidgeted with the stem of her glass, her pulse quickening as the tension coiled tighter around them.
Collin, seemingly satisfied with the conversation, extended his hand again to Christian. "Well, thank you again for coming," he turned towards Reese, planting a kiss on her cheek, "Excuse me for a moment."
As Collin walked away, Reese was acutely aware of how exposed she felt under Christian's unyielding gaze. She swallowed hard, meeting his eyes with a defiance that belied the turmoil inside her.
"What are you really doing here, Christian?" she asked, her voice low but steady.
His smirk softened, though his eyes remained sharp. "Oh are we dropping the formalities now," he emitted a soft laughter," Would you believe me if I said coincidence?"
"No," she replied without hesitation.
"Good," he said, stepping slightly closer, his voice dropping to a murmur. "Because it's not."
Her breath caught as his proximity sent a shiver down her spine. The room around them blurred into insignificance, the space between them charged with an intensity that was both electrifying and suffocating. Reese's pulse thundered in her ears as she struggled to maintain her composure.