Page 172 of Indecent Obsession
My heart pounds against my breastbone. I thought I could do this. I thought I was strong enough to finally share the same air as Verity Baron. But I was wrong.
I can’t.
Drew’s hand squeezes mine. His warmth presses into my side. Dante’s leg shifts to brush against my leg. I glance up at him and his eyes search mine. That need to let him protect me flows through me. To give myself over to him because he’ll never hurt me.
When no one comments, Verity straightens her dress and puts her hand on Wyatt’s arm. “So, where’s Tom? We were supposed to double date.”
My gaze lifts to Verity with curiosity. Because that’s why I decided to play along with this farce. Wyatt hadn’t known that part.
His dark eyes meet mine with determination and my insides settle a little. We have information to acquire. He’ll figure it out.
“I love Tommy.” Happily unaware of the tension in the car, Olivia rubs Finn’s arm. “He’s always the life of the party.”
Verity gives her a tight-lipped smile. “Yes, Tom is a very good man. He knows what boundaries are. Unlike some.”
Her gaze darts to me and she gives me a cruel smile that anyone else would just see as plastic. My breath catches. There’s coldness and gloating in her eyes. I never knew how fake she was in high school. I thought she was my friend. Everything we shared meant absolutely nothing to her. All she wanted to do was tear me down. To make herself the victim.
“Who was Tom supposed to bring?” Wyatt draws her attention back to him and I can breathe again.
Verity gives him a soft smile and places her hand on his thigh with a quick glance at me to see if it hurts. She used everything I ever told her in the most hurtful ways.
Her intention is to make me jealous because of Wyatt, but what I really want to do is start a catfight over what she did to me. I won’t. Not ever, which sucks, but it’s the way we in society deal with things.
We just go on. And I keep pretending that what she did didn’t affect me.
“My best friend. Natasha Sokolov.” Verity pouts slightly. “It would have been so nice to have a true friend with me.”
I ignore the little stab. I realized a long time ago Verity was never my friend.
“I’m sure Wyatt will show you a good time.” Olivia leans into Finn.
The only one not crawling all over my men is Nancy. Her eyebrow is arched as she watches Olivia and Verity. She seems nice. No backhanded compliments. She’s not constantly touching Dante either, which helps.
When we pull up to the museum, the steps are lined with people dressed formally climbing the steps while flashbulbs go off. While I usually find these things entertaining, I’d rather be at home, letting these men strip me and fuck me until I can’t see straight.
Each couple steps out onto the curb. Drew and I are last. He takes a second to stand between me and the cameras to make sure my dress is perfect. His fingers brush my skin and send shivers racing through me.
“Thank you.” I definitely don’t need a picture going viral with a wardrobe malfunction.
He cups my jaw and searches my eyes. “You are perfect. No matter what that woman says tonight, she doesn’t matter. Only you do. If it gets to be too much, tap your finger against me three times and I’ll figure out a way to untangle us from whatever situation we’re in.”
I smile and lean into his hand. “You’re too good to be true.”
“I’d say I’m your Prince Charming, but…” He smirks and leans in so his lips brush my ear. “I’m not all good, princess. For you, I’m trying.”
When he pulls back, he steps to my side and I take his arm. What does that mean? Not all good? Everyone has secrets. Maybe his are bigger than owning a strip club.
He walks up the stairs slowly with me as I hold my skirt out of the way. My head is high as I follow the others through the giant double doors. Soft music fills the hall over the din of voices.
The hall is filled. Everyone is enjoying cocktails before dinner. I glance around, but most of the people are men taller than me, blocking my view of the room. Will I even be able to find Madison and Kayla?
Dante moves to my other side as Drew pauses to talk to a colleague. The back of his hand brushes against mine. “You okay, pip?”
I nod even as I cling to Drew’s arm.
Nancy moves next to Dante but doesn’t hold on to him. “As the nonbitchy date among our party, I’ll be sticking with you.”
Nancy smiles and her gaze drops to my chest and lingers there. Damn. When I meet Dante’s eyes with my eyes widened like what the fuck, he smirks and gives me a little shrug. Drew moves his hand to slide against my bare back. Tingles chase each other through my blood.
