“She with you?” Pierce follows my gaze. His brows rise with interest, and a sleazy smirk forms on his lips.
I want to punch him just for looking. But I know this man. If he thinks Rachel’s important to me, he’ll relentlessly pursue her. He’s like this with everything. Wants what he can’t have. Wants what someone else does, just to prove he can get it. But it’s worse with me. Ever since I took his girlfriend in high school, he’s been determined to one-up me. For what? To prove he’s better than the idiot teenage boy I once was? It’s ridiculous and shallow. The funny part is, I could give a shit about his opinion, fortune, or social connections. The only reason I entertain his company at events like this is the amount of business he sends my way.
“Yeah, she’s my date. Tonight.” I laugh as if it’s a joke. The lie tastes like acid in my mouth, but it’s what I have to do. He’s like a little kid. Reverse psychology is the best way to reverse his interest in her.
“You’re such a horny bastard. Probably fucked half this room, haven’t you?” He slaps my back and takes another sip of his beer. “Not as many as I have, but a close second.”
“I’ll drink to that.” I lift my drink to his.
Some woman turns around from where she stands with a group. She scoffs, shooting me a dirty glare. She doesn’t say anything, but her point is obvious. She thinks we’re disgusting. I happen to agree.
“She’d be so lucky. Right?” Pierce jostles my shoulder when the glaring woman returns her focus to her group. He lifts his gaze across the room and back to Rachel. “And when you’re done with that one, send her my way. I’ll pay a pretty penny. Better yet, she can help break in my new room. Tack it on with the expedited delivery fees.” He winks.
Fucking hell. I clench my fists so I won’t pummel the smirk right off his pretentious face. He did not just suggest . . . I shake my head; anger fills my chest and boils over. I turn, blocking his view of Rachel because he doesn’t deserve another look at her beauty. A scowl contorts my features and I step closer, lowering my voice so only he can hear. “You didn’t just suggest I’m some kind of pimp. Or a sex trafficker. I want to make sure I misheard you before I tell your daddy where exactly your trust fund dollars are being spent.”
His eyes widen, then narrow to slits as his jaw clenches. “Oh, I don’t think you want to threaten a Bowen.” His family name. He always falls back on it. Uses it as bail. But his warning does no good. Not on me.
“I think I do.” I step back and raise my glass, rage still rolling through my body. “You take care, now.” I turn on my heel and walk away, leaving behind a two-hundred-pound weight I don’t need in my life. Fuck that guy. I might’ve torched that relationship and all his social connections, but I don’t need his money. Not that badly. Not at that cost.
40
Rachel
“That’s honestly the most romantic story I’ve ever heard,” I say to Chance after he finishes recounting how he and Aubrey met and got together. I turn to Aubrey with wide eyes, “Someone should write a book about you two. I would totally read that.” When she laughs, I raise my voice an octave higher. “I’m serious!”
Her smile lights up. She shifts to her husband, excitement in her tone. “Come on, babe. You know people. Let’s make it happen.”
“Whatever you want.” He dips his chin to kiss her lips.
“Couple goals.” I sigh.
“Yeah.” Aubrey leans into his shoulder and gives me a wink. “He’s not so bad. I think I’ll keep him.”
I like talking with Aubrey. Even though we only met a few hours ago, the conversation flows comfortably as if we’ve known each other for years. Even if I weren’t here with Jude, I’d want to be friends with Aubrey and Chance.
Jude’s gaze finds mine across the room, almost as if he’s all worked up. His eyes roam over me, eating me up with a hungry gaze. Anticipation courses through my blood, and my heart races at the thought of how much I want him to do that, but later and with fewer clothes. He stalks forward, a man on the hunt. My breath catches as I wait to be caught.
“Hey.” He reaches for me when I rejoin the group, pulling me to his side with a possessive touch.
“Hey.” I smile. “Everything okay?”
His jaw clenches before giving in to a grin. “Better now.”
I lean closer. “Miss me?”
“You have no idea,” he answers, a whisper in my ear and a gentle kiss against my cheek. One that promises more.
We head into the dining room, where we’re seated at our table with Chance and Aubrey, an older couple who serve on an animal rescue executive board, and one of the featured artists along with her partner. Chance is quite the storyteller, and there is something about his Aussie accent and charismatic personality that draws everyone in. I have another glass of wine, but switch to water when dinner is served. I notice Jude does the same and I’m not sure whether it’s because he drank enough last night for the entire month, or that he wants to be completely aware and in control later tonight. I hope it’s the latter.
The food is delicious. The company entertaining. I enjoy it all, but there’s an edge of anticipation for what later might hold that leaves me eager for the gala to be done.
After the dinner plates are cleared, Jude leans his body to mine, closing the space between our chairs and resting his hand on my back. “You ready to get out of here?” The promise in his words is unmistakable, but the sincerity
