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Sara
My mask is in place as I descend the stairs to where Wyatt, Finn, Dante, and Drew talk.
The green satin dress is heavy with embroidery but perfect for a masquerade ball.
It’s a formfitting, floor-length gown with a train that flows down the back of the skirt.
We spent a few more hours at the store and probably tried on almost everything they had. But we all found the perfect dress.
My heels click on the marble floor as I cross to the living room.
They stand when they hear me and watch me enter the room. They all have on black tuxes with white ties. The suits fit them to perfection and I catch my breath. This is my reality. There are going to be some seriously jealous women when I walk in with these four men.
“Fuck, princess.” Drew drags in a breath.
“Princess indeed.” Dante smiles.
Finn is halfway across the room and he grabs my waist to pull me into him. He leans into my ear and says, “I have a special room we’re going to disappear to in the middle of whatever speeches they have and I’m going to suck your clit until you come in my mouth under that fucking fantastic dress.”
I smile and cup his jaw, meeting his green eyes. “You say the sweetest things.”
He presses a kiss beside my ear before he releases me.
Wyatt steps up and takes both my hands, holding them out so he can take me in. “You look divine, trouble.”
“You’re very handsome in your tux.” My body warms. This is the first time I’ll be Wyatt’s date to a formal event.
He pulls me against him and tips my chin up with his knuckle. “While Finn wants to lavish his attention on your clit, I’m going to spank you for every guy who looks at you and wants you tonight.”
“I’m already up to four then.” I smooth down his lapel and blink innocently at him. Maybe if he spanked me and put me in the corner afterward, it might change my behavior. But usually he makes me come so hard I can’t remember my name. Not exactly punishment.
“Brat.” He runs his fingers over my dangling earring.
I mock pout up at him. “Your brat.”
“Mine.” His smile turns wicked. He turns to Drew. “I’m going to make her come at the table while you watch.”
Drew chuckles and says in a dry tone, “Oh no. Don’t do that. How scandalous.”
Dante shakes his head and offers me his arm. “If you need a timeout—”
“Just say mercy?” I smile graciously at him.
“Ah, pip, we’re going to have so much fun tonight.” Dante leads me to the door.
“After my mother leaves.” I point at the others who follow us and then at Dante. “I will not have my mother seeing any of this—” I wave in their general direction. “Decorum is expected until the adults leave.”
“We are the adults.” Dante opens the door for me.
“You know what I mean.” I grab my skirt and Drew escorts me down the steps to the car.
The lighting is dim and people are everywhere in the ballroom. The point of the masquerade theme isn’t really to disguise yourself from anyone. After all, this is an event. Everyone wants to be seen and to see who’s here and who they’re with.
We move into the room and head to our table.
“Finny!” a voice shouts from across the room above the din.
Finn flinches as we turn toward Olivia Clark. She has a mask on a stick over her eyes and she lowers it as she hurries toward Finn with a broad smile. Before she can make contact, I step in front of him.
“Olivia, how nice to see you again.” I give her my best smile.
She stops and looks at me. “Yes. Hi, Sara. How are you?”
She tries to sidestep me, but I step in her way. Finn’s hands go to my waist and he moves up against me, holding me like a shield between him and the blond.
She practically stomps her foot. “Excuse me, Sara, but I’d like to talk to Finny. In private.”
“Anything you need to say can be said here,” he says.
Olivia’s face turns a little red. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“Not particularly.” Finn’s words tickle the hair beside my ear.
A shiver goes through me. I smile at Olivia. “We’ve been busy. Haven’t we, Finn?”
I turn slightly over my shoulder to meet his mischievous green eyes.
“Desperately, flower.” He smirks. “I can’t get enough of you.”
Olivia’s eyes narrow on us.
“I thought you were dating Drew Young.” Olivia glances over at Drew as he walks back with Wyatt and our drinks. She almost looks smug, like she’s caught us in a lie.
“I am.” It’s the truth.
“And she’s dating me.” Finn slides his arm possessively around my waist. “Well, really, we’re all living together. Is that still considered dating, darling?”
“You’re living with Finn Lawson and dating Drew Young?” Pretty sure we just blew Olivia’s mind. Any sense of decorum she might possess goes out the window as she stares at me with her mouth open.
Dante steps up next to me. “Maybe I can help clear up matters.”
He takes my hand and I smile as Olivia’s face drops.
“Sara is with Finn, Drew, Wyatt, and me. Exclusively.” Dante lifts my hand to his lips and little sparks whip through me as he kisses my knuckles. “And we’re exclusive to her, so run off and spread it around. We’re taken. Including Finny.”
“That’s not…” Olivia stammers. “But she can’t…”
“I can’t what, Olivia?” I straighten as Drew and Wyatt reach us. Wyatt hands me a glass of champagne and leans down to kiss me. I meet his dark eyes. He knows exactly what he’s doing. What he’s always wanted to do, claim me as his.
“You can’t date all of them!” She stomps her foot and draws the attention of some of the surrounding tables. “That’s not what exclusive means.”
“Sure it does.” I reach behind me to cup Finn’s jaw. “I only sleep with them and they only sleep with me. So find someone new to fixate on because Finn is off-limits.”
“This is a joke, right?” She laughs like she finally gets it. “There’s no way the four of you are dating Sara. Sara doesn’t date. She goes for the nerdy types.”
“It’s no joke.” Drew steps in between Olivia and me. “I’m all for a little catty banter, but you’re bordering on abusive. We are grown adults who can do what we want. And if you don’t realize you aren’t wanted here, let me clarify for you. Finn doesn’t want you. Now or ever. He’s with Sara.”
Finn moves around me to stand next to Drew. “Olivia, you were a convenient date. We’re never going to happen. Please find someone else to obsess over.”
“But Finny—”
“My name is Finn.” He steps back to my side and looks at Olivia.
She glances at me before meeting his eyes. “This can’t last.”
“Try me.” I raise an eyebrow.
“Are we late?” Kayla joins our circle. Nan looks stunning on her arm.
“Olivia, dear.” Nan smiles. “So nice to see you again. Isn’t that your group over there?”
Olivia narrows her eyes at me but then she leaves.
I draw in a breath as I see some of the people around us turn to talk to each other. My hand grabs my necklace. They’re talking about me and the guys. Before long, it will spread like wildfire throughout the ballroom.
My chest tightens.
“Guess the cat’s out of the bag, huh?” Kayla turns from watching Olivia leave.
“You okay, pip?” Dante takes my arm and draws me out of the spotlight, behind the table. “Breathe, Sara. I’ve got you.”
I lift my gaze to meet his loving blue eyes.
“I’m not going anywhere.” He brushes his knuckles over my jaw.
“None of us are.” Finn closes in on my back and I lean into him. His hand touches my hip, centering me.
“Is she okay?” Madison asks.
“Yeah, she’s good.” Dante takes my hand and looks into my eyes. “Right, pip?”
I take another breath. “Yes, I’m good.”
Madison smiles and holds out her hand to me, pulling me away from my guys and into the cluster of women who have become my best friends.
Juliette hugs me and I hug her back.
Madison turns me so I can see Hope fully.
“Oh my god, you look amazing.” I grab Hope’s hand and hold it out to the side.
Her brown hair is swept up into an updo with curls framing her face. Her white lace mask obscures most of her face except for her full, red lips and brilliant blue eyes. As much as Nan had fun teasing Kayla with a princess dress, Hope really does embody one currently.
Her cream dress is a beaded top with a full skirt. A little flash of skin shows between the two. She has on a diamond necklace that Madison texted a picture of to all of us for approval.
“The necklace is perfect.” I release my breath and let Olivia and the gossipers fade into the background.
Hope reaches up and touches it. “It all seems like too much.”
“It’s perfect.” Coop comes up behind Madison and draws her against him. “It suits you, Hope.”
Her cheeks flush pink and she looks down at the lace overlay skirt. “Thank you.”
Coop kisses Madison’s cheek before going to talk to her guys and mine.
Juliette, Kayla, and Nan move over to talk with Dante.
“How does it feel to be out?” I ask Hope. She’s had issues with too many people in a small space, but we’re separated a little from the crowd over here.
She gives me a worried smile. “With my friends? Great.”
I glance around. “I’m pretty sure that won’t be my only panic attack. The last event we went to, I ended up getting kidnapped after.”
Madison rubs my arm. “That won’t happen this time.”
“I know. No walking Peabody in the middle of the night.” I smile at her. “I’ve been seeing a therapist.”
Hope nods. “I’m glad she was able to take you.”
“She’s been amazing.” I look over the ballroom.
My mom and Roger are headed our way. Everyone I love is here to support me.
Even Tom and Natasha are making the rounds but will sit with us at our table.
Apparently taking a bullet for me meant the guys were willing to work on their friendship with Tom.
And with me out of the office and Tom out of the basement, it should be easier for them to patch things up over time. But tonight, I just want to enjoy my family and friends. I’ll worry later about the fallout of our announcement to Olivia.
The whole reason to come tonight was to float it out there. Olivia just gave us the opportunity. Besides, I’ve been dying to tell her Finn is mine and only mine.
Hope