Chapter 12 #2
None of them would know what to do with her. They’d take her to dinner, maybe buy her flowers, and still never figure out how to touch her the way she needs. How to make her gasp and arch and lose that careful control she wears like armor.
How to make her come with a slide of their fingers, because she needs to feel like she’s worth catching.
She takes a spot next to Mylene, ignoring the smiles of one of the guys who seems intent on capturing her attention. She’s oblivious to the chaos she’s causing, and it turns me on even more.
“Wow, you look great,” Jesse says to her. I grit my teeth. “What’s got you all dressed up?” he asks.
Sadie gives him a soft smile. “I thought I might stay and have a drink in the bar after this. It’s Friday night, time to let my hair down.”
“It’s already down,” I say, under my breath. Why the fuck am I so annoyed by this? She’s a free woman, after all. She’s entitled to do whatever the hell she likes.
“If you’re looking for a date, I’m happy to volunteer as tribute,” Bennett says, and I immediately forget that I like the kid that West and Eden have practically adopted.
“Are you even allowed to buy alcohol?” I ask him sharply. The tone of my voice makes Sadie’s brows raise.
“I’m over twenty-one,” he says shrugging. “So yeah.”
“Just,” Autumn adds with a wince. “That’s a night I’ll never forget.”
“So I can definitely buy you a drink,” Bennett says to Sadie. “If you need a chaperone or anything.”
“I think you have to be older than twelve to chaperone,” I mutter tightly.
Sadie’s eyes crinkle. “You’re very sweet,” she tells him, ignoring me. “But I think I’ll be okay on my own. It’s not as though Liberty’s full of danger. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Her gaze slides to mine.
Autumn claps her hands together before anybody can reply.
“Okay, children,” she says. “As much as I’m loving us all planning Sadie’s night out, we need to focus. We’re here to organize a gala, not run her love life.”
My sister starts issuing instructions as we follow her into the ballroom, where Andrea, the front of house manager is waiting for us with her iPad. I fall into step beside Sadie and she glances up at me, her expression politely blank, like she hasn’t been under my skin for days.
“You planning to glare at me through the entire event?” she asks under her breath.
“I’m just worried about you falling in those heels,” I murmur back. “I know you have a problem being steady on your feet.”
Her head tilts. “I’m absolutely fine on my feet, thank you very much.”
Yeah, she is. She’s more than fine. She’s delectable.
Martin, the hotel’s Michelin starred chef, comes out and joins us, as he, Autumn, and Andrea get caught up in a discussion about canapes.
My mind wanders off when they start debating the advantages of shrimp over vegetables, and I find myself drifting closer to Sadie again, the soft aroma of her perfume wrapping around me.
When my sleeve brushes hers, she doesn’t step away.
“So,” I murmur. “It looks like you’re the one on the hunt tonight.”
She lifts a brow, her expression perfectly composed. And for a second, I imagine her wide eyed and excited, running from me. God, she’s beautiful.
“Is there something wrong with a woman getting a cocktail on her own?” she asks me.
I swallow. “Nothing at all.” But we both know she won’t be alone for long.
And it makes my muscles tighten like they’re ready for a fight I’m not planning on having.
“What do you think, Sadie?” Autumn says.
She blinks and I like the way her cheeks pink up at being caught out. “Sorry, I didn’t hear you.”
“Two different main courses. Meat for the carnivores, mushrooms for the veggies.”
Sadie nods, recovering fast. “That sounds perfect. Let’s face it, whatever Martin cooks will be great.”
He beams and now I’m internally growling at him too. Since when was I ever jealous? Especially about somebody who wasn’t mine. And never wants to be.
As the others start debating mousse versus tartlets, Bennett sidles over to Sadie once more. “You know, I really dig alcohol,” he tells her. “Eden’s been teaching me how to make cocktails. I could show you sometime.”
Her lips twitch. When our eyes connect this time, I find myself staring straight back at her, unwilling to let her look at anybody else.
“You are so very lovely,” she tells Bennett, but with her gaze on me. “But I’m actually on an app. Looking further afield, you know? For somebody… who fits my needs.” The way she says it, her voice thick, makes me know this is aimed at me.
And it hits the bullseye. I’m pissed now. She’s on a damn app? Which one?
“Oh, are you meeting somebody?” Bennett asks. “Did you match with a guy?”
“A girl never tells all her secrets.” She finally pulls her eyes from mine and looks at him.
Bennett blushes, clearly charmed, and she rewards him with a soft laugh. It sounds effortless, but I can hear the edge underneath it. She knows exactly what she’s doing, and I’m falling for it hook, line, and sinker.
Autumn calls out to us all before I can say anything to her. But my pulse is already hammering.
“Okay, let’s take a walk through the rest of the hotel,” Autumn says, thanking Martin and Andrea for their time.
“I’d like us to review where Sadie’s suggested we mount the art.
By the end of the week I want a full timetable of what’s going where and when,” Autumn finishes, already marching toward the hallway like a general leading their troops.
Sadie walks next to her, chatting with Autumn about lighting and wall space. I stay a few paces behind, watching the sway of her hair, the confident tilt of her chin.
By the time we circle back to the lobby, people start dispersing, talking about dinner plans and weekend errands. Sadie lingers a moment, her face serious as Autumn gives her one last instruction. Then she turns toward the bar, her hand brushing the edge of the counter, her smile small and private.
“I’m off to have some fun,” she says, lifting her hand up to wave goodbye to us. “Enjoy your evening, guys.”
I run my thumb over my jaw, watching her make her way to the cocktail bar.
“Are we done here?” I ask Autumn.
She tips her head to the side and nods. “Yeah. Do you think everything’s okay with Sadie? She was weird tonight.”
“Everything’s fine,” I say, sounding more confident than I feel.
But one thing I know for sure. It will be. Because I’m not letting her out of my damn sight.