Free First Night: by Anna Antonia Page B

would I want the aggravation of being compared and seen as less-than?
    These were the type of females whose nails were always perfect and not chipped because they washed dishes at their part-time job. Assured of their place in the world, they didn’t work like a dog to get a chance to climb the bottom rung of society’s ladder. They wore what they pleased, never having to rely on dark colors because they needed to make three outfits do the work of seven.
    I wasn’t like them and they weren’t like me.
    So why has Gabriel been after me for a month? Is he bored and needing a new conquest?
    I wasn’t a part of Gabriel’s social circle and I never would be. My mom was a maid and Gabriel’s glittering, fast set were the families that hired her. A fact they never, ever let me forget.
    Do I look stupid enough to fall for him? What is it that he really wants and why won’t he stop?
    Anger burned bright. Pulling away, I turned around and faced him fully. I steeled myself against staring too deeply into Gabriel’s exquisite crystalline gaze or noting how handsome he looked with his golden hair tumbling over his smooth brow.
    “No, you can’t have this dance.”
    Gabriel didn’t have to come closer to hear me. My terse expression confirmed my answer. Undaunted he asked, “How about the next one?”
    I shook my head.
    Frustration tugged at the corner of his kissable mouth. Gabriel ran an unsteady hand through his hair. “Why not?”
    “Because I said no.”
    He took one step towards me. “Why, Emma?”
    I didn’t have to answer him. In fact, it was better if I didn’t. So why were the words rolling off my tongue?
    “Because it’s not worth the trouble.”
    Pain flashed across his expressive face. I instantly felt guilty before I buried my feelings. Gabriel didn’t really like me, not like he said he did. Why would he?
    Everyone knew what he was after. All he wanted was to add another notch on his belt. Apparently, he’d run through all the available debutantes and at least one barely-bachelor-degree-holding teacher. Gabriel was obviously going slumming like a few of his friends had done off and on throughout the years.
    I wasn’t going to be just another conquest, mocked and ridiculed for believing pretty words like “You’re different from anyone I’ve ever known,” or “I don’t care about the money. I just care about you .”
    Screw that.
    Even so, I wanted to believe this strange, one-sided courtship really was different. That he was different. Why did Gabriel have such a strong hold on me? Would I ever be able to break it?
    Gabriel looked past me and apparently locked stares with Amy. He narrowed his eyes and sneered. The utter coldness of his expression made me shiver. I never wanted Gabriel to look at me like that, as if I were a bug crawling across his polished shoe.
    I feared it. I constantly pushed him away so I’d never see it.
    “What are you looking at, Amy? Mind your business!”
    Although the music still throbbed loudly, I didn’t doubt the recipient received her message. Especially when she rudely bumped against me as she pulled her date towards another part of the dance floor.
    He took a step towards Amy and then shook his head, as if to dismiss her. Gabriel settled his focus back on me. His fierce expression instantly softened as he took in mine. Gabriel reached out and touched my flushed cheek with the back of his fingers.
    He came close and spoke urgently in my ear. “People like Amy don’t matter, Emma.”
    The familiar scent of his spicy cologne pleased my senses, drawing forth how used I’d become to Gabriel being by my side nearly everyday for the last month. How much I’d come to depend on his presence.
    On his scent.
    My fingers twitched as I wanted to pull him closer to me just so I could bury my nose by his neck. I hated his effect on me.
    “Easy for you to say.”
    “You’re right, but it’s still true. You’re…” Gabriel’s voice trailed off.
    Standing still in the