Chapter 19 #2
“Events like this stopped holding my interest a long time ago.” His eyes meet mine through the lenses of his glasses. “Though I will admit… your presence has made this one considerably more tolerable.”
I blink.
Wait… did Elliott Faulkner just compliment me?
With him, it’s honestly hard to tell.
“I’ll take that as a compliment,” I decide.
“As you should.”
The corner of his mouth twitches in what almost looks like a smile.
Before I can decide whether I imagined it, Valentina reappears beside us with a dramatic sigh, dropping into her chair like she’s just returned from battle.
Elliott turns toward her, arching a brow. “Bored already?”
She grins, baring perfect white teeth. “Absolutely.” She slings an arm around my shoulders, leaning into me like we’ve known each other for years instead of hours. “So…” she begins, her eyes sparkling mischievously. “What’s the plan? After party?”
I’m buzzed enough to giggle. “I mean… I wouldn’t say no.”
Elliott’s gaze lingers on the two of us for a long, thoughtful moment, something unreadable passing behind his eyes. Then he says, “I don’t think I can handle the club scene tonight. But you’re welcome to come back to the apartment with us, if you’d like.”
My pulse stutters.
Wait.
Did he just invite…
Valentina’s plush lips spread into a grin. “Ooh, exactly the kind of after party I had in mind.”
“I’ll have the car brought around,” Elliott murmurs, already pulling his phone from his pocket.
The knot in my stomach tightens. I glance between them as Elliott sends the message and Valentina finishes the last sip of her champagne, the two of them moving with the easy confidence of people who’ve done this before.
Was this the plan all along?
Was I just the awkward third wheel while they rekindled their infamous love affair?
The thought catches me so off guard that for once, I’m at a total loss for words.
“Come on,” Valentina coaxes, slipping her hand into mine. “Let’s grab one more drink before we go.”
She gives my hand a gentle tug, and like the world’s biggest idiot, I follow.
Well, this night took a turn.
If you’d asked me when it started how I thought it might end, my absolute last answer would’ve been taking the elevator up to the penthouse with Elliott’s ridiculously hot ex-girlfriend in tow.
Yet here we are, the three of us trapped inside this metal box, the knot in my gut tighter with every floor until the display finally reads PH.
The doors slide open with a soft chime. Elliott steps out first, Valentina right behind him. The click of my heels joins hers as I follow them into the penthouse, still buzzed, thoroughly irritated, and feeling like the stupidest woman alive.
It’s one thing for Elliott to be cold and distant and not want to touch me.
It’s another to have me spend the entire evening in the company of his sexy vampire ex, then for him to invite her home with us under the guise of an ‘after-party’.
If he’s trying to make a point, he picked a hell of a way to do it.
“I’d almost forgotten how stunning your view is,” Valentina comments, gazing out the wall of windows as the glittering city lights reflect in her eyes.
Annnnnd that’s my cue to either rip her hair out or make a dignified exit.
Considering she’s a vampire and could probably end my life without breaking a sweat, I opt for the latter.
“I guess I’ll leave you two to it,” I mutter, my skin prickling with humiliation.
I want to scream, throw things, and be every bit the dramatic bitch I am– but honestly, what’s the fucking point? If it wasn’t clear before that this thing with Elliott is strictly a business arrangement, it definitely is now. And for once, I’d rather save face than make a scene.
I risk one last glance at Elliott before turning toward the hallway leading to my bedroom. He quirks a brow, looking genuinely puzzled by my reaction, while Valentina lets out a soft laugh.
“Oh, sweetie, I’m not here for him,” she says, quickly closing the distance between us. A smirk curls her lips as she gazes down at me smugly, resting a hand on my shoulder. “I’m here for you.”
Huh?
Now it’s my turn to look confused. My gaze bounces between the two of them as my liquor-addled brain struggles to make sense of what she means.
“Are you not pleased?” Elliott asks, tilting his head. “Your Bite file indicated you enjoy intimacy with both men and women, and the two of you have been flirting all night.”
I blink at him.
“So… you wanna have a three-way with your ex?” I ask with an incredulous laugh, though as soon as the words leave my mouth, confusion gives way to something else.
Curiosity.
Maybe even excitement.
I’ve never exactly been opposed to group activities. If anything, they’re the sort of glorious bad decision I’d normally dive headfirst into.
Valentina laughs again, shaking her head. “I’d hardly call myself his ex when our relationship existed solely for publicity.”
My head snaps toward Elliott.
He gives a single, matter-of-fact nod.
Well.
That’s certainly information that would’ve been useful about three hours ago.
“Besides,” Valentina continues, her fingertips drifting lightly down my arm. “Eli isn’t much for participation.” Her mouth curves into a feline smile. “He does, however, enjoy watching.”
My eyes find Elliott again. He hasn’t moved– he’s still just standing there with his hands tucked into the pockets of his slacks, shoulders squared, watching us from behind the lenses of his glasses with an intensity that sends a slow shiver down my spine.
Then it finally clicks.
Every loaded glance across the dinner table, every time his attention lingered just a little too long whenever Valentina and I interacted.
Oh my god... he doesn’t think I’m threatened by her, he thinks I’m into her.
Which, to be fair, isn’t entirely wrong.
Still, the whole thing’s so ridiculous that I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing out loud.
Does he actually think he’s doing me a favor right now? Setting me up because he misunderstood the entire situation?
I could correct him.
Or… I could see where this goes.
Valentina closes the last few inches between us, the sweet floral scent of her perfume wrapping around me. “So,” she purrs, “do you want to play, sweet mortal?”
My eyes drift over her face. I can’t deny I’m attracted to her, or that every brush of her fingertips feels electric. It’s been far too long since I’ve been intimate with anyone, and she’s fifty shades of gorgeous. Besides, it’s just harmless fun… right?
Heat unfurls low in my belly as I lift my gaze to Elliott, wetting my lips with my tongue. “Is that what you want?” I ask, voice gone breathy. “To watch?”
At this point, I’m not sure what excites me more– the thought of hooking up with Valentina, or of Elliott watching it all go down.
He stares back at me for a long moment, then swallows thickly, dipping his chin. “Yes.”
My pulse lurches, my blood turning molten in my veins. I glance back at Valentina, finding her already smiling as her hands drift lightly up my arms.
“Shall we have some fun, then?” she asks, voice smooth as velvet.
I nod before common sense has a chance to weigh in, a shiver of anticipation sliding down my spine.
She slips her hand into mine and leads me into the living room, where we both kick off our heels and sink down onto the sofa. She slides closer until her thigh’s pressed against mine, my heart pounding as she traces a fingertip over the tattoos winding down my arm.
“These are so beautiful,” she murmurs. “I can’t believe you drew them. You’re incredibly talented.”
“Thank you,” I reply, blushing despite myself.
Elliott is quick to join with drinks. He sets a glass of whiskey on the coffee table in front of each of us before claiming a low leather chair opposite the sofa. He settles back with deliberate ease, legs spread, one hand wrapped around his own glass where it rests against his knee.
It’s a hell of a scene. Valentina curled beside me, Elliott watching from across the room, and me caught squarely in the middle, already squirming with anticipation and nerves.
Valentina drains her whiskey in one smooth swallow, licks her plush lips, then sets the empty glass aside. I take a slower sip of mine as she turns back toward me.
“You’re gorgeous, you know that?” she remarks, her fingertips brushing lightly along my cheek.
I huff a quiet laugh. “You’re one to talk.”
She smiles before gently sweeping my hair away from the side of my neck. Her gaze lingers there for a moment, eyes darkening with unmistakable hunger. “I know she’s your source Eli…” She looks toward him, the implication clear. “But may I?”
I dart a glance in his direction. He’s watching us over the rim of his whiskey glass, his expression a blank mask.
“Absolutely not,” he replies in a clipped tone, calmly lowering the glass back down to his knee. He inclines his chin, adding, “But you may pleasure her, if she’d like.”
My pulse skips, a fresh wave of heat surging through my body.
Valentina huffs a frustrated sigh before turning her attention back to me, amusement dancing in her hazel eyes. “Can’t blame a girl for trying,” she quips, her hand sliding down to my shoulder. “Now, where were we?”
I reach up to hook my thumbs beneath the thin straps of my dress, flashing her a devilish smirk as I slowly draw them down.
Her teeth sink into the pad of her lower lip as she watches me lower the dress to pool around my waist. I’m not wearing a bra, and my nipples are already stiff from the cool air and the attention.
Valentina immediately cups my breasts in both hands, humming to herself as she squeezes them gently before leaning in to kiss me.
It’s soft at first– just a delicate press of her lips against mine. Then firmer, her hand cradling the back of my neck as she tilts my head to deepen it. She tastes like whiskey and sin, our tongues tangling as a low throb builds between my thighs, intensifying with every lingering moment.