Come On A Date With Me

Eva’s POV

Every pair of eyes in the room turned to Luke, including Gavin's. His blue eyes flashed with intense emotion as he looked to Luke. But Luke's gaze stayed locked on me, tight with anger.

“Why are you sitting so close to Gavin?” He repeated, his tone sharper this time, his voice heavy with jealousy.

I refused to meet his eyes, pretending he hadn’t spoken. I wasn’t going to let him ruin the opportunity I’d endured so much for.

"And what is it to you, Luke? She isn't your woman, so why do you care?" Gavin questioned.

"Stay out of this, Gavin," Luke yelled back, completely forgetting he was in the presence of his in-laws.

Lucy jumped quickly to her feet, desperate to save her marriage. She moved closer to Luke. “Of course. I know you will be worried seeing Gavin flirting with our wedding planner. Don’t worry. He knows better than to drag her off into an unnecessary romance. Besides, she seems committed to her job”.

“I sure am,” I added, keeping my tone calm, trying to diffuse the tension in the room.

Luke scanned the room, realizing he was being watched. The weight of everyone’s gaze seemed to remind him where he was. He stiffened, masking his rage. He steered Lucy into his arms and kissed her forehead. “I am sorry, baby. I just don’t want your cousin to spoil our wedding,” he told Lucy.

“He won’t,” Lucy replied with a forced smile, clutching his arm possessively.

That seemed to solve everything, though on the surface. The Radcliffes took their seats on a free sofa. Gavin's eyes still lingered on Luke, yet he reclined on his seat calmly beside me. Luke and Lucy sat down too. Lucy locked onto his arm, resting her head on his shoulder.

Then the Radcliffes began grilling me about my plans for the wedding, and the conversation moved in the manner I came for… business.

I kept my answers professional, masking my irritation at their condescending tone, as they kept addressing me as a nobody.

I made a quick glance in Luke's direction as I felt his eyes on me. I found him watching me, his gaze unfiltered. Also, beside me, Gavin's closeness to me was stifling. I was hyperaware of his presence beside me as I was of Luke's gaze. Both made me terribly uncomfortable. I felt myself sweating despite the cool air as I answered the Radcliffes' questions about the wedding plans. I couldn't afford letting either of them cost me this deal.

The Radcliffes told me they were ready to give me an unlimited budget to plan the wedding. Should I perform below par, I would have myself in debt and wallowing in a bankruptcy of their orchestration.

I knew I should walk away. But I couldn’t. This job was my only chance to elevate my brand.

“I assure you, Mr. Radcliffe, the wedding will be everything you envision,” I said with a practiced smile as I leaned forward to accept the blank check.

Gavin stood up after me when I was to leave. He followed me as I found my way out of the mansion.

“I still haven’t caught your name, darling,” he said, planting his six-foot gorgeous self before me. For some reason, he didn't comment about Luke as I thought he would. I was glad he didn't.

Heat flushed my cheeks at the memory of seeing him naked earlier. His well-sculpted abs and toned arms. And God… his cock. I could never recover from the sight. It was forever etched onto my mind.

“Well, you shouldn’t,” I replied curtly, trying to sidestep him. There was something about him that warned me against him. A ticking alarm bell, somewhere in my head.

He blocked me again, his persistence unrelenting. “Eva Brooks,” I finally sighed, conceding.

“Eva Brooks,” he repeated, letting my name roll out of his tongue as if he could taste it. He adjusted his fedora again with a flourish. Looking more seductive than he already was.

“Then, Eva, why don’t we grab a bite right now?” His voice was smooth, his tone dripping with confidence.

“Are you asking me out on a date?” I asked, shocked.

“Absolutely. I want you, and I plan to get you,” he said, unapologetically direct.

Even with the alarm bell in my head ticking, warning me to be wary of him, some part of me was tempted to agree to his date. But I was wise not to let that part of me win. I might find myself in the tabloids or worse, further entangled with him. And it was the last thing I wanted.

“Well,” I drawled on the word, “Unplan your plans, because you aren’t getting me.”

“I just haven’t,” he declared proudly.

Footsteps echoed behind me, interrupting us. I turned to see Luke storming toward us, his focus solely on me. Without acknowledging Gavin, he grabbed my arm and pulled me aside.

“Refuse this job, Eva. You know it’s what’s best for both of us,” he said, his voice trembling with barely contained anger.

“Good for you, but not for me. I need this job to give my career the growth it deserves."

“I can have my father arrange something better,” he offered, desperation creeping into his voice. “He’ll help, now that I’ve agreed to marry Lucy.”

“But I don’t want his help or yours,” I replied. I snatched my arm from him. “Nothing beats planning the Radcliffe and Hayes wedding.”

“Then at least stop being cozy with Gavin,” he said, his voice low and raw. “It’s killing me.”

“Why should I care? You made your choice, Luke. Live with it.”

Movement in the distance caught my eye. Suspecting one of the Radcliffes might be watching, I turned to Gavin. He met my gaze with a knowing grin, letting me guide his hand to my waist.

“Perhaps a date with Mr. Gavin wouldn’t be so bad,” I said loudly enough for Luke to hear, forcing a smile at Gavin.

His grin widened. “I knew you’d come around,” he teased.