“Do you know what I want for my birthday?” she whispers. “You.”
“I’m all in, Lucky.” My mouth finds hers as she presses closer and I have to remind myself that it’s cold and that the first time I fuck her is not going to be in a car. But I can’t stop myself from tasting what’s to come. I slip my hands up her thighs and cover her mouth with mine. I’m beginning to question my earlier decision not to take her right there, against the steering wheel, when something explodes overhead.
Adair rears up and my arms circle her protectively. Then the second firework lights up the night sky, illuminating a tent for a split second.
“Fuck,” she mutters, figuring it out before I can.
Lights burst on and a crowd of people scream “surprise!”
We scramble apart and I help her pull down her skirt before anyone can get a better look at us in the dark.
“I said no parties,” she says. “You didn’t…”
“I had nothing to do with this,” I swear.
Our conversation is cut short as her friends descend upon the Jaguar. There’s not an ounce of shock on their faces over our indelicate entrance. Adair looks less than thrilled as she’s led toward the tent. She casts a frantic look over her shoulder and yells, “Later! Find me!”
It’s not a promise. It’s a command. She really didn’t want a party.
Since this is Valmont it’s not just a party though. Making my way to the tent, I discover a dozen large heaters set up strategically to keep everyone warm. Pink lights are strewn along the tent, casting the entire space with a rosy glow. In the corner, there’s a bar and a man in a white jacket serving drinks. I work my way through the crowd to her. She reaches for me, grabbing my hand.
“Don’t let go,” she says, holding it tightly.
That’s easier said than done when her friends start wishing her a happy birthday. They come from every direction, hugging her one at a time before passing her to the next person. It’s impossible to keep hold of her but I stay close by. No one notices how she flinches each time. They’re oblivious to her pain.
“Are you surprised?” Poppy glows with excitement, completely oblivious to Adair’s obvious discomfort.
“I am,” Adair says in a strained voice.
“You didn’t think we would forget your birthday?” Poppy continues, grabbing Adair’s hand and leading her into the crowd of people. They part to allow Adair to see the giant cake on display in the center of the tent. It’s shaped like a horseshoe and nearly as tall as I am. They don’t do anything halfway in Valmont.
“Sorry, man.” Cyrus appears beside me and bumps my shoulder. “I know you thought you were getting her to yourself tonight.” He holds out a bottle of whiskey. “Peace offering?”
“No thanks.” I turn him down, wondering if I should intervene on Adair’s behalf.
“Poppy knew her mom usually planned her birthday parties, so she thought she should step in,” he explains.
“You two seem to be getting cozy.” I bypass telling him that Adair didn’t want a party. I’m beginning to understand these things are never about what the guest of honor wants. It’s all for show.
He follows my eyes to where Poppy is forcing a glass of champagne on Adair. “Me and Poppy? I don’t know. I’ve never really…”
“She’s gorgeous. She’s rich,” I say flatly. “She’s a lot nicer than most of the people here.”
“Is there such a thing as too nice?” he asks. “I don’t think I could ever live up to her expectations.”
“I’ve seen the way she looks at you,” I say. The truth is that Poppy Landry won’t ask him to live up to any expectations. She’s blind to his faults. He’s not a bad guy, but I suspect she’s too good for him.
“She is hot,” he agrees after a moment.
It’s good to see him really weighing the benefits.
“Money and Oliver are here,” he says, pointing to the pair.
“What are they supposed to be?” I ask checking out their wildly colored suits and gold chains.
“Pimps,” he tells me. “I’m going to go say hello.”
There’s no way I’m spending a minute with those two dickheads acting like they’re hot shit. “I should check on Adair.”
“Catch you later.” Cyrus nods and heads toward them.
Weaving my way through the throng of people, I lose sight of her. For the next hour, the party-goers swarm like locusts, drinking, dancing, and blocking me from reaching Adair every time I see her. I finally spot her with Poppy standing by the cocktail bar. She says something to her and then darts toward the pool house.
I force my way though the crowd. This might be my only chance to get her alone. It’s dark inside but there’s a light on in the bedroom down the hall. Not only did I get her alone, we might be able to pick up where we left off before her friends descended on us.
I’m nearly to the door when I hear voices.
“You better spill,” someone says.
Adair’s voice answers. “There’s nothing to spill. Nothing’s happened.”
“Have you told him you’re a virgin?” Someone asks. Darcy maybe?
Apparently, her sexual history is common knowledge. I have no idea why she acted so weird about it now. I guess part of me thought the confession meant it’s a big deal to her. Now she’s chatting about it like it’s just a burden.
This conversation is none of my business. I wish I hadn’t come in after her. I hesitate before peeking through the cracked door. Adair is spread on the bed. Ava and Darcy sitting cross-legged on opposite sides.
“Shut up, Darcy. It’s not something I brag about,” Adair says.
“Does your daddy
