Chapter 49
Capitalized Interest
Wyatt
On another woman that dress might broadcast she’s available to the men around her, but on Sara, there are respectful but heated looks.
She’s ethereal and goddess-like. It’s no wonder men keep watching her.
My fist tightens and the need to claim her is almost overwhelming, but I force myself to relax when Verity rubs against my side. Again.
I have a goal for letting this woman touch me, and that goal is information.
I understand Tom’s motivation now. Maybe Verity was just a means to an end. It also means I need to find out who Natasha Sokolov is and where she is. She might know more about Tom’s disappearing act.
Tonight, I just need to keep getting information from Verity and keep her from clinging to me. The only woman I want that close to me is currently on Drew’s arm. He keeps her close, a hand on her at all times. I may not like him but he’s good for her. Even I can see that.
He respects her enough to introduce her and include her in any conversation. He works the room like a professional. Of course, even though he’s technically new money, he grew up in the lifestyle same as us. But she isn’t just arm candy to him.
Dante shifts next to me. “Remind me to call Morrigan Technology on Monday to set up a meeting.”
Verity narrows her eyes at him like she’s trying to figure him out. I don’t like this woman. Even if I didn’t know her past with Sara, I wouldn’t like her. She’s a user. When she gets what she needs from someone, she burns them.
“Potential client?” I ask.
“Why would you want them as a client?” Verity glances toward their group, who seem to be making their way toward us. Her tone is disgusted when she spits out, “Do you know what type of people they are?”
“Good people.” I turn my back on her and greet Seth as he joins our group. “Good to see you.”
Madison and Kayla target Sara.
“Good to see you too.” Seth shakes my hand firmly as he watches Madison. He’s seeing the same thing I see. Sara lights up when Madison and Kayla join her. Her public mask drops and she’s genuinely happy.
Something thumps in my heart and then a hand wraps around my arm, and I remember I’m not here alone or with Sara.
“May I introduce you to Verity Baron?” I step to the side, putting space between us as Verity stands next to me.
She smiles tightly but doesn’t hold her hand out to Seth. “A pleasure.”
Seth nods his head to her, but he doesn’t miss the insult.
“I was just talking to Dante. We should definitely put something on the books for next week. I don’t know why we haven’t talked before.” I want Verity to know I’m not faking the smile I give him.
“There’s a lot for us to discuss. Our current accounting firm is under investigation.” Seth shakes his head. “We need to figure a way out so we don’t go down with them.”
“Of course, we can do an audit of their previous work to make sure nothing is amiss.” This I’m comfortable with. Work is easy. Accounting is my language. Everything is straightforward even when something is wrong.
“We should definitely talk.” Seth claps his hand on my upper arm.
I nod and Verity releases an impatient sigh. Seth gives me a look like he knows exactly what I’m dealing with. A bell rings and the lights flash to let us know dinner is served.
Sara
My smile brightens when Madison and Kayla join me. Cooper takes Drew’s attention.
“It’s even more stunning than I thought it would be.” Kayla lifts my hands and turns me so she can check me out. “You sure you don’t want to join my harem? We have wine and chocolate.”
While I laugh, Madison leans back against Cooper with a smile on her face.
“I do like wine and chocolate.” I tap my lip, glancing up at Drew.
Drew kisses my cheek without missing a beat in his conversation before leaning in and saying, “I also provide wine and chocolate.”
My heart pulses and I smile at Kayla. “I think I’m good for now.”
Drew slides his arm around me, drawing me in possessively close. Tingles bursts inside me.
“Looks like it.” Kayla sighs.
“I thought you were hot and heavy with that one woman.” I’m not going to say stripper at a function. That would get back to my mom. She doesn’t need to know everything I’ve done while she’s away.
“We’ve hooked up a few more times, but she definitely isn’t looking for a relationship. To be honest, I’m not sure I’m ready to jump into another one either.” Kayla’s green eyes look off into the distance.
“Have you seen the guy that bought you the necklace?” Madison asks.
That catches Drew’s full attention. The only one who knows is Dante. I can’t seem to keep anything from him.
“What’s this?” Drew’s fingers lift the delicate chain between my breasts. His fingertips brush my heated skin, sending shivers through me. “Someone bought this for you, princess?”
Cooper glances at the necklace, not really paying me much attention. “That’s an expensive piece. Diamonds on platinum. Not just a trinket.”
I shrug. “I thought he was the salesman. When the woman brought me the necklace, he had paid and left. He did leave a message that he couldn’t wait to see them on me tonight.”
Drew’s mouth tugs down in a worried frown, but he quickly erases it. His dark eyes meet mine. “He has good taste.”
Heat engulfs my cheeks, knowing he means me and not the diamonds.
“If you see him, point him out.” Drew glances around us.
Nancy steps into our group, away from where Noah and Dante are talking. Her eyes linger on Madison and then Kayla.
“Do you collect pretty things, Sara?” She settles on my other side.
“This is Nancy Anderson. Nancy, Madison Harris, Cooper Graham, and Kayla Wagner.” I lean into Drew, glad that conversation is over.
I could have left the diamonds at the jewelers, but they’re perfect for my dress. The older gentleman didn’t seem like a threat. Yes, it’s an expensive piece of jewelry, and if I see him, I’ll insist on paying him back for it. But only in money.
Nancy shakes everyone’s hands and cocks her head at Kayla. “Have I seen you somewhere before?”
Kayla smirks. “Always a possibility. I get around.”
Nancy’s cheeks flush a little. “Pretty sure I would remember you if we’d met.”
“Same.” Kayla’s cheeks get a little color on them as well. Does that confirm that Nancy is gay or bisexual too? It sure seems like it, but I don’t know her well enough to ask her that question.
Drew leans into my ear, as the women talk, trying to figure out if they have friends or places in common.
“Why didn’t you tell me you had a secret admirer, princess?” Drew’s dark voice sends a bolt of longing through me.
I turn to face him and say quietly, “You didn’t really give me the chance when you picked me up.”
He chuckles and leans in. “Can you blame me? I’ve been hard for you since I saw you in this dress. If I thought we wouldn’t be missed, I’d drag you off and show you exactly what I think of you in this dress and those diamonds. But it will have to wait until we get back to your place.”
His cheek brushes mine as he pulls back. A little sigh escapes me. I didn’t know what I wanted before him. Before Finn. Before Dante. I knew I wanted Wyatt, but I don’t know that I could ever be satisfied with just one of them.
Maybe I could. If I had to give them up, keeping Drew wouldn’t be the worst thing. I’d miss the others. My gaze finds Dante’s. He’s watching me even while he talks to Noah. He gives me a look that seems to ask if I’m all right.
I nod slightly. There’s something about each of them that I want in my life. It’s not all physical.
Madison is commenting on Nancy’s dress and I tune back in until the dinner bell rings and the lights flash. Drew turns to lead me into the dining room.
Our table isn’t right next to Madison’s, but it’s close enough that I can see her and Kayla. The last time I went to a benefit, I was at that table talking with Noah. We could talk for hours about books and stuff. We were dancing when Dante came and stole me off the dance floor.
Had I been getting to Wyatt? Now that I know Wyatt wanted me all along, it’s making me go back through our past interactions.
Dante sits on my other side. I lean over to him and ask, “When you’d drag me out of an event, was it for my benefit or Wyatt’s?”
Dante clears his throat and turns to search my eyes. “We can discuss this at home, pip.”
My lips press together. Yeah, that’s what I thought. I was the thing that Wyatt needed handled and Dante stepped in to do that. Hell, Dante even hid the camera for Wyatt.
I don’t know what to think right now. The fundraiser brought it up again, but I don’t think any of it really matters in the long run. We’re not in a typical relationship. There won’t be any falling in love or growing together as a group. My insides wither a little.
Dante’s brows furrow. “You okay?”
Concern lingers in his eyes. He takes care of me in a lot of ways. I’m sure the Wyatt thing was probably for both of our sakes. It just hurts now remembering.
I release my breath slowly. “Yes, I’m fine.”
Dante wants to touch me, to comfort me, but if he does, I’ll be in his arms, kissing him, and that can’t happen. I turn my back on him, knowing it’s for the best.
Drew tips my chin and searches my eyes. He places a soft kiss on my lips and I smile.
“You looked like you needed that,” he murmurs.
“Thank you.”
His brown eyes smile at me before he straightens. “I haven’t told you about the mishap at the factory.”
Wine and the salad course are served and everyone talks with their dates.
Drew tells me a long story about how two patterns got sent for the wrong color scheme.
I glance Finn and Olivia’s way. Olivia leans in close to Finn while he gives her his most flirty smile. From all appearances, he’s into her.
A crack opens in my heart, but then he lifts his gaze to mine. His look shifts to longing and want and a desire neither of us can deny, filling that crack in.
My insides tighten and my skin heats. I dip my head and return my attention to Drew.
“I’m not going to be offended that you tuned me out,” Drew leans in to say. His grin is full of mischief. “I figured you’d need time to come to terms with the others.”
Cupping his jaw, I press my forehead against his, breathing in his spicy cologne. “I’m sorry. I’m not the most attentive date.”
He chuckles. “I’m sure I’ll have all your attention later when it matters.”
“I’ve enjoyed all our dates,” I say softly. “You’ve made each one memorable. I’ve never had anything like that before.”
“A date with someone you want to fuck is definitely a step in the right direction.” He leans back in his chair as the servers come around to collect our plates and put down the next course.
Nancy catches my attention and leans toward Dante with a smile. “How do you know Kayla?”
“We’ve been friends since we went to a benefit together.” I glance toward their table and my insides soften. “It’s nice to have friends again.”
Dante touches my knee and my gaze collides with his. I don’t know how well we’re hiding what we feel for each other from everyone else. Because there’s something more than sex between us. Something more than just heat.
“You’re lucky. I haven’t had the best luck with friends, but my parents are trying to get me more involved in society.” Nancy touches her hair and gives me a smile. She says quietly, “Some women are real bitches.”
I’ve avoided looking, but now, I turn to look at Wyatt and Verity. As soon as Verity realizes I’m looking, she touches Wyatt’s arm, drawing his attention from Finn. His brow furrows as he looks down at her hand. She gives a little laugh and leans in to say something.
His chest rises and falls in a sigh, but he answers whatever question she must have asked. When he tries to turn back to Finn, she ups her game and asks something else. She can’t hold his attention and that must be driving her insane.
I can’t help the gloating little smile on my face. But she catches it and narrows her gaze on me. I don’t know what she’s going to say but I know it won’t be pleasant.
“Oh, Nancy,” Verity says and smirks at me before turning her full attention on Nancy. My guts twist. “You and I should talk. You wouldn’t want to fall in with the wrong crowd. There are definitely people you should avoid.”