Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Patrick
Charlotte takes my goddamn breath away as I study her curves in the black and silver dress. Her long blonde hair is wavy tonight, falling around her chest and shoulders as she talks to Lacey.
They were relieved to see each other, and we haven’t been able to pry them apart yet.
The conversation around me drones on. I have no interest in speaking to a single one of these men, but I know what will perk me up.
Sliding my hand into the pocket of my dress pants, I palm the remote and feel around for the button to turn on the device.
I slipped that treat inside her while she was getting dressed.
It’s a wearable G-spot and clit stimulator, and as soon as I turn it on the gentlest setting, Charlotte’s head whips around the room.
I laugh, shaking my head.
She looks like she can’t decide if she wants to strangle me or sit on my face.
Why not both?
I wouldn’t mind if she wanted to suffocate me with her thighs while riding my tongue.
I’m not afraid of toys, but I’m also not usually so quick to bring them in.
My hope is that a little pregame fun will help Charlotte relax enough that she can truly enjoy herself once we get to the main event. A bit of anticipation will only heighten the experience when she comes all over my cock.
Taking a long swig from my glass, I scan the room, hoping it helps to quiet my own nerves.
Wilder, at least so far, has chosen not to participate in a claiming ceremony with Lacey. Perhaps he doesn’t feel obligated to since his role is technically that of mediator.
On one hand, I’ve always been an exhibitionist. I enjoy the thought of showing Charlotte off.
They can look and be painfully jealous, but not touch, and my sadistic side thrives on that kind of chaos.
On the other hand, it makes me envious that Wilder doesn’t have to put on a show to have Lacey be accepted by the masses.
I suppose we could have refused, but that’s just asking for trouble down the line.
Speaking of trouble, Vanessa is across the room, standing next to her brothers.
She looks miserable, and I feel a twinge of sympathy for her.
It’s rather unfair in the grand scheme of things that her brothers are free to live their lives while she’s only seen as valuable because of what her family can gain from a trade.
I have a feeling that her father is responsible for forcing her to pursue other matches since her brothers have never given me that impression, but either way, they’re not standing their ground to protect her.
Grigoryan stands at her brother’s side, leering at the poor omega. I want nothing to do with Vanessa, but I would never wish Grigoryan on any woman. Or man, for that matter.
She’s half his age, and he just outlived wife number three. It’s like the man won’t die, and it defies logic.
Someone comes to a stop at my side, and I turn to find Moretti. Everyone else is dressed to the nines in fancy dresses and full suits, while he’s in jeans, a white T-shirt, and a black leather jacket with a cigarette tucked behind his left ear.
I should have a talk with the security staff at the entrance. Perhaps we should have implemented a dress code, although he knows what was implied as acceptable attire.
I roll my eyes, take a long swig of my drink, and nod at his ear. “That’s a horrible habit.”
He chuckles. “It’s a good thing you don’t have to worry about me trying to kiss you.”
I snort, following his line of sight.
Grigoryan now stands in front of Vanessa, hovering just a bit too close for it to be considered a polite conversation.
“That’s unfortunate.”
“It is,” he murmurs, looking away. “Congratulations on your engagement.” He claps me on the back and walks away as quickly as he arrived.
Charlotte hasn’t said yes yet, but it’s the thought that counts.
And she will.
Of that, I have no doubt.
The four of us stand on the balcony that overlooks the ballroom, waiting for the crowd to get the idea and shut the hell up.
After this, our guys will make the rounds, shuffling everyone out who isn’t one of the family heads. They’re allowed to keep one guest each per the rules, but even then, that will lessen the crowd to under fifteen people.
I get tired of waiting, stepping forward and whistling.
“Thank you all for coming out to spend your New Year’s Eve night with us.
As I’m sure you’ve heard, the marriage contract between my family and the Chapmans has been amicably dissolved.
” Chatter fills the first floor, and I pause for a moment so anyone who didn’t know can catch up.
“Don’t worry, you didn’t come out tonight for nothing.
You’ll still get your engagement and a bonus claiming ceremony. ”
Malachy and Cormac step forward, guiding Charlotte to do the same. They brace her on either side as I reach into my pocket for the ring box.
Only, I grab the damn remote.
A dangerous smirk tips my lips as I bump up the intermittent vibration pattern to a constant hum on her clit. She jolts, her jaw falling open as I reach into the other pocket, pulling out the ring box.
“If you say no now, I’ll have Cormac handcuff you to the bed in the primary bedroom until you change your mind.” I pop the hinge, displaying the five-carat oval solitaire in platinum. It’s quite the statement to anyone who might spot it.
“He won’t have to ask, I’ll just do it,” Cormac says.
“I’ll spank your ass red for breaking my heart,” Malachy chimes in.
Charlotte laughs, pulling her hand to her mouth. “You guys are insane. Yes, I will happily marry you, you psychopaths.”
“Perfect,” I purr, grabbing the ring from the box and slipping it onto her finger.
I stand, shove the box into my pocket, and pull her in for a quick but dirty kiss before stepping back to allow my brothers to do the same.
Turning to the banister, I wave a hand to our guys in the crowd to indicate that it’s time they get to work.
“Allow me and my brothers to introduce you to the future Mrs. O’Connor.
The claiming ceremony will begin in fifteen minutes. Everyone else, get the fuck out.”