Chapter 16
Rainbow
I snuck out. After a weekend full of orgasms, I found the spare key and made myself scarce before he woke up.
I wouldn’t be able to handle the inevitable once he woke up after the most amazing weekend I’ve ever had.
It wasn’t just the sex, though. It was more.
We watched TV, then he fed me, and who knew how much he liked to cook?
When we weren’t eating food, he made it his mission to eat me.
I’ve never known a guy who likes to give oral as much as he does.
The weekend was totally unexpected in every way, which is why I left him sleeping.
Slipped away before the awkward conversation.
Yes, it was a copout on my part, but it was for the best. I know I’ll see him again, being that he’s Ric’s best friend and all, but work this week has been all-consuming.
By the time I get home at night, I shower and then practically pass out.
Which, considering we’re still in the midst of a heatwave, is a surprise in itself.
I haven’t even had a chance to catch up with Ric since he returned from his business trip two days ago. I’m worried I won’t be able to look him in the eyes without him seeing right through me and immediately knowing that I hooked up with his best friend.
Thankfully, tonight I’m going out with the girls to Mayfair Luxe for the Midsummer Masquerade. Mayfair Luxe is the club Harrison and Hunter acquired, and where they now hold quarterly masquerade balls. The best part is that it’s all in the name of love.
I met Abi and Ari at the Valentine’s Masquerade there back in February and they have accepted me with open arms, but it feels like I’ve always known them.
I was meant to get ready at Ari’s, but work was so busy that my shoot ran over. Plus, I had to come home to get my dress anyway, so they offered to pick me up on the way instead.
Applying the finishing touches to my makeup, I spritz myself with some perfume, give myself a once-over in the mirror, and pull on my mask.
Entering the living room, I stop short when my brother turns towards me, a huge smile spreading across his face.
“There she is,” he says, pulling me in for a gentle hug. “Where are you off to looking like a Goddess?”
He takes a step back and circles his index finger in the air for me to twirl for him, so I do.
“I’m off to Midsummer Masquerade with the girls,” I reply, smoothing down the front of my dress. It’s a fancier one than I’m used to, but the navy is stunning. “Are you sure I look okay?”
He reaches for my hands and squeezes them.
“You look lovely. Maybe I should come and ward off any arseholes.”
I laugh at that. Ric will forever be my protector. Even when we were growing up, he never made me feel like an unwanted sibling.
My cheeks heat. “No, you’re good,” I reply. “I’ve sworn off arseholes, you know that.”
He cocks a brow. “Good, you deserve only the best.”
Ric knows about most of the shit shows that have been my relationships. He’s the one who listened while I cried on the phone until silly o’clock, and yet he’s never judged me for my poor choices.
The best part of moving to Mayfair was starting over, and I’ve already screwed that up by quite literally fucking his best friend.
I clear my throat and startle when my clutch vibrates, followed by a loud ding.
Ric laughs. Other than my camera, and a scrolling session on social media I pretty much repel technology, which is why my phone’s battery always dies.
I pull it from my clutch and swipe the message.
Ari: We’ve just pulled up. Shall I come up and get you?
Me: No, you’re good. Stay where it’s cool. I’m on my way x
“It’s Ari,” I tell Ric. “They’re meeting me downstairs.”
I slip my phone back in my clutch and let out a shaky breath.
“Are you okay?” Ric asks.
“Yeah, of course, just a little nervous.” It’s not all a lie.
“Don’t be. You look amazing, and you’ll have a wicked time. I like Ari and Abi, they’re good to you.”
I nod, because he’s not wrong. For some reason, I tend to find myself in not the best company, but the girls have proven to be good friends.
I’m starting to trust my intuition when it comes to others, although it isn’t always easy.
Especially not when you still feel like you need to fit into ‘social norms’.
Something that has never come naturally to me.
“Thank you. I’ll see you later.”
Ric nods. “Stay safe,” he says, walking me out to the lift and pressing the button.
“You know, you’ll make someone really happy someday,” I say. My brother is forever the gentleman.
He shrugs it off like he always does. He’s always been reserved on the relationship front, and even though he’s opened up to me on occasion, there are still some things he keeps close to his chest. But when he’s ready, I’ll be there for him just like he’s always been there for me.
The lift door opens, and I’m grateful to find it empty. The thought of bumping into Tobias makes my stomach twist with anxiety, and yet I know I’ll have to face him eventually.
“Enjoy yourself,” Ric says as the doors begin to close.
I smile as he disappears from view and glance at my reflection in the mirror, checking myself over one last time.
The doors open on the ground floor to reveal the lavish foyer.
I pull at the main door, hit by an intense early evening summer heat, but it’s not the heat that has me stopping in my tracks. Tobias stands there in a work suit as he talks to Harrison and Hunter.
“Bow,” Ari says as a window in the back of the limo lowers. Her’s and Abi’s masked-clad faces appear, and they both wave me over.
“Get in here. It’s hotter than a witch’s tit out there,” Abi says, the window already rising.
I can’t help but laugh and step out onto the pavement. Out of my peripheral, I notice Tobias watching my descent as I move towards the limo door where Harrison, or maybe that’s Hunter, is standing. He pulls it open with a nod, and I’m met with a cool wave of air conditioning.
“Thank you, Hunter?” I say, but it sounds more like a question.
The corner of his lips rise. “I’m impressed. You are indeed correct. Good to see you, Bow,” he says, sounding genuine.
“Harrison, Tobias,” I say, acknowledging them but unable to hold Tobias’s gaze. I make to get into the car as demurely as possible, but he reaches out and cups my elbow.
“Bow,” he says.
Swallowing past the lump in my throat, I look over my shoulder and stare back at him. Why does he have to look so damn good?
His lips part, and my heart races. I wait for him to speak, praying he doesn’t bring up the other night. Not right here, right now.
“You look stunning,” he says, his mouth forming one of those rare smiles that has my knees going weak.
“Thank you.” My voice wobbles. I glance inside the car to Ari, who has a shit-eating grin on her face as I begin to climb inside.
Tobias’s hand moves down my arm, and my entire body breaks out in goosebumps as his palm slides against mine, and then he guides me into the car. He squeezes it once before letting go.
“See you later,” he says, stepping back.
“Bye,” I reply, the word barely above a whisper as the door closes, followed by muffled voices.
I let out an exasperated breath.
“Care to share?” Abi says, sitting opposite me and holding out a flute of champagne.
I take it gratefully and knock it back in one drink, the crisp bubbles tickling my nose.
“Spill,” Ari says as she pours me another glass of bubbly.
I groan because there is no way I’m leaving this limo without spilling the details of my orgasm filled weekend.