Chapter 3 THE FUNDRAISER 2

As she turned around, Lexi collided with a solid wall of muscle.

"Oh no!" She exclaimed, her wine splashing everywhere and on the suit of the man she'd bumped into. Her eyes widened In shock as she took in the sight.

The Man's face turned towards her. His Amber eyes locking onto hers, recognising who he was, she screamed mentally. Julian Blackwood...

"I'm so sorry." She apologised,mortified.

Julian stared at her, then back at his stained suite before his lips curved into a smile. "It's okay. Accidents happen."

Lexie's face burned as she reached for a napkin from the nearby table. She was rather shocked about his reaction, she'd expected him to flare up or make a fuss. "He's perfect." She thought.

"Let me help," she offered and he nodded slowly.

"Don't worry,I've got this, you are?" He asked his hands brushing against hers as he took the napkin from her.

"Lexi" she mumbled and their fingers brushed, sending sparks through Lexi's body. She took her gaze slowly to him and found it neutral,causing her to wonder if she was the only one feeling the sparks or he was too.

Just as Julian was about to speak, a soft voice interrupted. "Julian darling...I've been looking all over the place for you."

"Oh..Kim" Julian called softly. "I didn't think you'd show up."

Kim, the stunning lady pouted and attempted to kiss his lips but he turned around, causing her lips to land on his cheeks. "You know I wouldn't miss it for anything, and why did you do that?" She raised a brow and her gaze darted to Lexi.

"I see you're making new friends already." She added and instinctively Lexi knew what to do next.

"It was nice bumping into you, Julian Blackwood." She said hastily and walked away.

"Lexi," he called out, but she was already gone.

"Hello...I'm right here." Kim snapped her fingers before his face. "Or you think she's better? Once you get a taste of her, you'd leave just like the rest of us."

Julian glared at Kim and scoffed before walking away, wondering why she just had to appear and ruin his night.

Lexi quickly walked away from Julian and Kim, feeling a mix of relief and embarrassment. She didn't want to be a killjoy or intruder of the moment, although her research revealed Julian's relationship status as single, she certainly didn't want to witness Kim's possessive show off.

As she disappeared into the crowd, Lexi heard Julian's deep voice calling out to her, but she didn't turn back, neither did she respond. She just kept weaving through the crowd of Elites, until she found herself in a rather quiet corner.

"Hey girlie." Stephanie squealed joining her, in her usual bubbly tone and countenance. "Spill the beans, what happened with Julian."

Lexi rolled her eyes attempting nonchalance. "Nothing happened."

Stephanie raised an eyebrow. "Don't lie to me Lex. I saw you two together. You were practically blushing."

Lexi's cheeks flushed in embarrassment. "Fine..we just bumped into each other and that's all."

"And I'm the queen of England." Stephanie chuckled, sarcasm dripping from her voice.

"You're totally impossible." Lexi laughed and recounted her encounter with Julian and Kim.

Stephanie listened intently and scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Typical Kim, always acting as if she owns him...wait until you meet Vera and Barbie and..."

"Wait what?" Lexi gasped. "How's he involved with so many ladies? I don't want to get involved in unnecessary drama."

Stephanie's expression turned thoughtful as she suddenly regretted her words. "Lexi..you need to know something, Julian's not like that, he's complex."

"How's that?" Lexi raised an eyebrow.

"He's...got layers, deep ones. And nobody's been able to uncover them." Stephanie whispered and Lexi sighed, deciding not to press any further.

"Y...you know I've known Julian since childhood, we're just not as close as we used to be...I guess life happened." Stephanie .

Just then the emcee announced the final batch of the auction. "Let's go bid on some prizes,who knows." Stephanie grinned and Lexi nodded.

"I might just spend my entire salary for the year on a prize." Lexi chuckled.

As they mingled Lexi couldn't shake off the feeling that Julian was staring at her, but does it matter?.

After the bid, Lexi grinned excitedly. "That was fun."

"Of course... It's almost party time, I'm going to change into something, I can't dance in this.." She mumbled gesturing at her dress."Let's get going, you should change too."

"No.." Lexi shook her head negatively "I'd just go sit over there, until you're back." She mumbled and Stephanie groaned loudly.

"Come on, you need to spice things up ." Stephanie insisted but Lexi shook her head negatively.

"nah...I'll pass." She shrugged and Stephanie placed her hand on her waist knowing there wasn't anything she'd say, to make Lexi change her mind.

"you'd always be Lexi.." she teased "I'd just walk you back to sit down before leaving."

**

The party began, with loud music and people dancing, each with a partner. Lexi sat alone, sipping slowly from her drink.

Julian Blackwood appeared, now dressed in a black tuxedo, totally different from the navy blue one he had on previously. Lexi suddenly felt bad about splashing her drink on him.

"Hey...I'm sorry about Kim." He muttered and sat beside her. "I wasn't expecting her to do that, plus it was totally rude."

"It's nothing...come on, I'm not mad." Lexi shrugged her heart thumping against its ribcage.

Julian leaned in. "Why can't I believe that?"

"I'm sincere." She mumbled a shy blush creeping to her cheeks.

"What about a dance then?" He asked, his gaze pleading and Lexi shook her head.

"I'm not really a fan of dancing, I'll pass." She mumbled, intending to run away from drama, who knows if those ladies Stephanie mentioned were present? Then they might just jump out of the corner and attack her.

"That's the only way I'd believe you've forgiven me." He insisted and she sighed before nodding her head, dismissing wild thoughts from her mind.

The ballroom's opulent chandeliers, casted a beautiful glow, illuminating Lexi's radiant face. Julian's Amber eyes locked onto her innocent face, taking in every inch of her beauty.

There was just something about her, something he's never seen before, and no matter how hard he tried he couldn't figure it out.

Their bodies swayed in perfect harmony as the sensual rhythm of the music guided their movement. The world around them melted away.

"What do you do, Lexi?" Julian whispered huskily, his warm breath fanning Lexi's skin.

"I'm a journalist." She replied, her cheeks red. "Hoping to be a great novelist someday." She mumbled the last part under her breath and sighed.

"Interesting, so you're uhm, at the fundraiser to film?" Julian asked his interest piqued.

"Nope, let's just say it's for research." Lexi winked and their eyes met, then locked.

"You're here to research me?" Julian mumbled teasingly.

Lexi's cheeks heated up. "Probably, who knows." She grinned, going with the flow. 'Loosening up isn't much of a big deal right?.'

Julian chuckled and their dance turned sensual, their passion intensifying. Julian's lips brushed against Lexi's, sending waves of electricity running through her spine.

She quickly took her gaze away from him, trying to hide her embarrassed expression, but who was she kidding, Julian already got her.

"You're beautiful Lexi." He whispered huskily and she took her gaze back to him, getting lost in his stare, as though seeking for his intent, and before she could comprehend, he leaned in and planted a tender kiss on her lips and before she could reciprocate, he broke it with a smirk.

"I bet you weren't expecting that to end." He smirked triumphantly, causing Lexi to take her gaze away from his, darting around the ballroom and her dance steps slowing down.

Julian's lips brushed against her ears teasingly. "Would you like to see more of me?"

Lexi's heart skipped a beat, she was certain it was what she thought but before she could hold back, she already blurted a "yes."

"You're not as innocent as you look then." He grinned "let's get out of here, it's going to be a long night." He winked and took her hands softly, leading her out...