Chapter 48
Business Association
Sara
My heart pounds against my breastbone. I thought I could do this. I thought I was strong enough to finally share the same air as Verity Baron. But I was wrong.
I can’t.
Drew’s hand squeezes mine. His warmth presses into my side. Dante’s leg shifts to brush against my leg. I glance up at him and his eyes search mine. That need to let him protect me flows through me. To give myself over to him because he’ll never hurt me.
When no one comments, Verity straightens her dress and puts her hand on Wyatt’s arm. “So, where’s Tom? We were supposed to double date.”
My gaze lifts to Verity with curiosity. Because that’s why I decided to play along with this farce. Wyatt hadn’t known that part.
His dark eyes meet mine with determination and my insides settle a little. We have information to acquire. He’ll figure it out.
“I love Tommy.” Happily unaware of the tension in the car, Olivia rubs Finn’s arm. “He’s always the life of the party.”
Verity gives her a tight-lipped smile. “Yes, Tom is a very good man. He knows what boundaries are. Unlike some.”
Her gaze darts to me and she gives me a cruel smile that anyone else would just see as plastic.
My breath catches. There’s coldness and gloating in her eyes.
I never knew how fake she was in high school.
I thought she was my friend. Everything we shared meant absolutely nothing to her.
All she wanted to do was tear me down. To make herself the victim.
“Who was Tom supposed to bring?” Wyatt draws her attention back to him and I can breathe again.
Verity gives him a soft smile and places her hand on his thigh with a quick glance at me to see if it hurts. She used everything I ever told her in the most hurtful ways.
Her intention is to make me jealous because of Wyatt, but what I really want to do is start a catfight over what she did to me. I won’t. Not ever, which sucks, but it’s the way we in society deal with things.
We just go on. And I keep pretending that what she did didn’t affect me.
“My best friend. Natasha Sokolov.” Verity pouts slightly. “It would have been so nice to have a true friend with me.”
I ignore the little stab. I realized a long time ago Verity was never my friend.
“I’m sure Wyatt will show you a good time.” Olivia leans into Finn.
The only one not crawling all over my men is Nancy. Her eyebrow is arched as she watches Olivia and Verity. She seems nice. No backhanded compliments. She’s not constantly touching Dante either, which helps.
When we pull up to the museum, the steps are lined with people dressed formally climbing the steps while flashbulbs go off. While I usually find these things entertaining, I’d rather be at home, letting these men strip me and fuck me until I can’t see straight.
Each couple steps out onto the curb. Drew and I are last. He takes a second to stand between me and the cameras to make sure my dress is perfect. His fingers brush my skin and send shivers racing through me.
“Thank you.” I definitely don’t need a picture going viral with a wardrobe malfunction.
He cups my jaw and searches my eyes. “You are perfect. No matter what that woman says tonight, she doesn’t matter. Only you do. If it gets to be too much, tap your finger against me three times and I’ll figure out a way to untangle us from whatever situation we’re in.”
I smile and lean into his hand. “You’re too good to be true.”
“I’d say I’m your Prince Charming, but…” He smirks and leans in so his lips brush my ear. “I’m not all good, princess. For you, I’m trying.”
When he pulls back, he steps to my side and I take his arm. What does that mean? Not all good? Everyone has secrets. Maybe his are bigger than owning a strip club.
He walks up the stairs slowly with me as I hold my skirt out of the way. My head is high as I follow the others through the giant double doors. Soft music fills the hall over the din of voices.
The hall is filled. Everyone is enjoying cocktails before dinner. I glance around, but most of the people are men taller than me, blocking my view of the room. Will I even be able to find Madison and Kayla?
Dante moves to my other side as Drew pauses to talk to a colleague. The back of his hand brushes against mine. “You okay, pip?”
I nod even as I cling to Drew’s arm.
Nancy moves next to Dante but doesn’t hold on to him. “As the nonbitchy date among our party, I’ll be sticking with you.”
Nancy smiles and her gaze drops to my chest and lingers there. Damn. When I meet Dante’s eyes with my eyes widened like what the fuck, he smirks and gives me a little shrug. Drew moves his hand to slide against my bare back. Tingles chase each other through my blood.
I’m not sure if this dress was a great idea. Only time will tell. I have been getting noticed a lot more than usual.
Drew pulls me in to introduce me to the people he’s talking to.
I smile politely and shake hands. I’m gracious and courteous.
The perfect little socialite date he can show off to everyone.
The women compliment my dress or the diamonds while the men tell me how beautiful I look tonight.
Drew preens like he’s the one that picked them out.
His hand never leaves me as we work our way through the crowd. It’s almost alarming how many people Drew knows or who know him. Women bat their eyelashes at him while men shake his hand and act like he’s their best friend.
From what I can tell, he’s not friends with any of these people. The way he acts with Owen and even my guys is completely different than this forced politeness. It’s the mask he wears to protect himself in this world.
We all need one. I need to settle into mine before we meet up with the others again. We finally join our group, but it’s too early to go to the table.
Verity holds on to Wyatt’s arm like he’s a trophy she won. Nancy steps closer to me.
“So, we hate her, right?” Nancy’s arm brushes mine.
Unfortunately, we do. But I can’t say that in polite conversation with someone I’ve known for only a few minutes. And who doesn’t seem interested in Dante at all, but very interested in me.
Dante pauses in front of me. I tip my chin up to meet those cool, guarded blue eyes of his. That rush of heat when he’s near sears through me.
“I’ll get drinks.” His gaze shifts to Drew. “You’ll stay with her.”
It’s not a question, but Drew slides his arm behind me and wraps his hand around my hip possessively. “I’ve got her.”
I want to roll my eyes. What the hell could happen here in front of all these people?
It’s not like we’ve even seen the man I saw watching me since I’ve been living with the guys.
Maybe he wasn’t watching me after all. Maybe Tom just had me freaked out, and I imagined it because I was all alone in that house.
Dante nods to Finn.
“Finny,” Olivia whines and pouts. “I’ll miss you.”
Finn laughs and chucks her under the chin. “I’ll be right over there, getting you the best wine.”
She smiles at his attention before he steps away.
Wyatt lets Verity paw at his arm as Finn and Dante walk to the bar.
“Would I know Natasha?” Wyatt asks quietly. Olivia steps closer to Nancy and asks her about her shoes. I pretend to be interested in the shoe conversation but pay attention to Verity’s answer.
“Maybe.” Verity toys with her necklace pendant. She gives him a coy look. “I’m glad Tom finally hooked us up. I’ve been wanting to get to know you for a very long time.”
“Didn’t your friend tell you she wasn’t going to be here?” Wyatt doesn’t look at me. If she was going to be Tom’s date, is she still waiting at home for him?
Verity shrugs daintily. “Natasha left me a message that she was going out of town, but she didn’t say she’d miss the fundraiser.”
Her eyes snap to mine and she gives me a gloating smile. “I’m so glad we were still able to make it out.”
Wyatt makes a noncommittal noise. I’m tempted to ask when her friend went out of town. Maybe that’s all this really is for Tom, a chance to hook up. Maybe he realized it would cause trouble and that’s why he wanted me protected, but it wouldn’t explain the break-in.
I’m grasping at straws because in the end I don’t want either of us to be in danger. I want Tom to come home safe and sound and for me to go on doing what I’m doing with the others. But that won’t happen.
My insides twist. I want Tom to come home. But when he does, this thing with Dante, Wyatt, and Finn ends. If it continues, it’s because Tom isn’t home. I can’t have it both ways. Even if I could, my mother would never approve. Tom would never approve.
I can’t lose my family to have the guys in my life.
All I can do is push it all down and worry about the fallout when it actually happens. But tonight, I need to focus on getting through this.
Finn
“Finny?” Dante chuckles as we join the line at the bar.
“I honestly don’t know what I was thinking.” I shake my head and glance back toward our party. Olivia gives me a little finger wave. Seriously, what was I thinking?
“You were thinking you’d get laid.” Dante glances back. I’m sure that’s what he’s thinking about when he looks at Sara. Getting laid. As long as we don’t fuck up tonight, we’re going home to that divine creature.
“What’s the deal with your date?” I arch an eyebrow. “Nancy doesn’t seem into you, but might really be into Sara.”
I’m not saying I’d let someone else have a go at Sara, but I might be willing to watch two hot women kiss. A kiss isn’t much. Not sure the others would go for it though. Definitely not Wyatt. He barely likes sharing with us.
“She’s into Sara. Probably.” Dante mutters, “She’s gay but doesn’t spread it around.”
“Fuck, I’ve been looking for a lesbian wingwoman.” I smirk and look back at the group. A couple of guys join the line behind us. I recognize them and grin. “Blake Wagner, good to see you.”
Dante turns to greet Blake and Seth Hart, two of the owners of Morrigan Technology Group. We all shift forward with the line.
“Did Theo get you what you needed?” Seth asks Dante.
“He’s definitely helping. I’m glad we were able to have him on such short notice.” Dante fixes his cuff.
“We’re all fond of Sara.” Blake is almost as big as Dante, though Dante has an inch or two on him. “Madison would do anything for her.”
And because I know about their relationship and this seems like the perfect opportunity…
“So how does that work anyway?” I give them my cocky smile. “The four of you and Madison.”
Seth raises an eyebrow and it’s clear I offended him. “Excuse me?”
I wave my hand. “Not the sex stuff. I’m good on that, but the management of the sleeping arrangement.”
Blake chuckles and glances back at our group. “So, is that happening?”
I don’t know what he thinks he knows, but I’m not tarnishing Sara’s reputation. “I’ve just always wondered. Is it just a puppy pile every night, or do you split up your time?”
Seth sighs.
Dante glances toward the bar.
Blake shakes his head. “We have a large bed to share, but we’ve also used a schedule for who she sleeps with.”
I grimace. “I can’t imagine scheduling sex.”
He chuckles. “You didn’t ask about sex. Only sleeping.”
“You’re right. I did.” I smirk.
“But it’s also alone time with our girl.” Blake smiles. “Being all together is great, but one-on-one time is important too.”
When Blake looks back toward his group, I see Cooper Graham with his arm around Madison’s waist. Noah Burns stands on her other side, holding her hand. They look comfortable as they talk to a dark-haired woman in a black backless dress.
“How’s that going for you guys?” Dante acts casual but there’s interest in his tone. Is he thinking of this thing long-term?
I can’t imagine stopping fucking Sara, but I know it can’t last realistically. I’d never be her choice anyway. With my history, I’m not built for a relationship. Maybe Wyatt isn’t either. Dante is someone she could fall for. Someone she could keep. But all of us?
None of us are on Cooper Graham’s level of society. We can’t flaunt tradition and get away with it. The others are new money and are accepted, but I’m sure they’ve had their struggles.
Seth smiles like he has the best thing in the world. “We’re good. It took a while for the gossip to settle, but overall, we’re happy. She’s happy. That’s all I want really.”
I glance at Sara in that fucking dress. It shows off enough to be tantalizing while still being decent. Drew’s hand stays on her, keeping her close. Wyatt is doing his damnedest to not pay attention to her. It’s like she wanted to make it impossible for us to be near her tonight.
We move to the bar and order our drinks.
The conversation shifts to business and what the industry looks like.
We don’t have Morrigan as a client but they’d be a huge win.
Dante talks with Seth about setting up a meeting to talk about their financial needs.
While Blake discusses our cyber needs with me.
None of us have business cards in our tuxedos, but we know how to get ahold of each other. We return with the drinks to our respective groups. I hand Wyatt and his viperous date their drinks before turning to Olivia.
She smiles and takes her wineglass, grabbing my arm to keep me next to her.
Yeah, I don’t know how I thought Olivia Clark would be an easy lay. I must have been drunk when I asked her, which isn’t inconceivable. I don’t make the best decisions when I’ve been drinking.
Sipping the wine, I decide to take it easy tonight, so I don’t do something truly stupid and drag Sara off like a caveman.
All the nooks and crannies this place has to offer… Fuck. It’s like a treasure trove for fucking. Sara’s gaze collides with mine. Yeah, there’s impure thoughts in those eyes.
Olivia tugs on my arm. If being seen with other women wasn’t a necessity to help maintain Sara’s reputation, I’d have kicked her out of the car when she started in on Sara and Nancy. I never noticed it before. But now that I think about it, women tend to avoid Olivia.
I just have to get through tonight. Dance with her. Make her feel special and dump her at her door before returning home to claim my reward for being a good boy. Sara. Peeling off that dress and worshipping that body all fucking night long.