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Royce Richardson is the last person on this planet I would ever give my heart to. But I need him. I need to know whatever he does so I can find out who is trying to ruin the Butler name and preserve my father’s legacy. That is what I need to do. Notwed.
If wearing the Richardson’s pearls makes Royce believe that I am his for the night, and gets me one step closer to that goal, then I will wear them—consequences be damned.
I turn around and sense her hesitation. But when I look over my shoulder and tell her to do it, she brings them over my head and lays them gently on my chest before closing the clasp.
I turn back around and she eyes them skeptically. “Ellery…”
“I got this Momma.” I reach for her hand and hold it tight. “Trust me.”
She wraps her arms around me and holds me tight, kissing the top of my head. “You are every bit a Butler, you know that?”
I hug her back tighter, never wanting to let her go. “And a Duchance, don’t forget.”
She pulls back and her eyes fill with pride. “High road,” she nods.
Momma’s right. Sometimes you have to take the high road. And if that means pretending to be Royce’s dream girl for one night, then so be it. Let’s walk.
***
Royce tightens his arm around my waist as we move across the dance floor in time with the music. “The Richardson pearls look good on you,” he grins. “Actually, all of you looks good. You’re easily the hottest girl here.”
I don’t know how true that is considering there are a lot of young girls here tonight. They may be wearing couture knock offs and jewelry that is more plastic than fine, but they’re beautiful, nonetheless.
“Who are all these people?” I ask, as he twirls me under his arm, then brings our chests crashing back together. I thought it would be the usual suspects tonight, but there are people here I’ve never seen.
My parents’ inner circle is here of course, which means my own circles as well, with their fake ass smiles and glossy appearances. But some of the other guests look strangely out of place.
“Some are my father’s associates,” Royce shrugs. “Others, friends of Court and Dex’s parents.”
“Oh?” I arch a brow, suddenly curious. If some of these guests were friends of their mother, that meant some of them could have known my father.
Suddenly, dancing with Royce became the last thing I wanted to do. Especially seeing as he didn’t plan to tell me anything until after the night was over. I needed to turn on the southern charm and do a little meet and greet with some of these guests.
“Ellery,” Royce says as the music stops and I step back, clapping politely.
I look past him, surveying the ballroom, trying to identify my first target. “Mm-hmm.”
“Your tits look amazing in that dress.”
I whip my eyes back at him, surprised by what he just said. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me. Your body is the stuff of dreams, Butler.”
I roll my eyes and look away again. “I think you’ve had too much to drink.”
“No,” he wraps his arm around my waist and tugs me toward him. “I mean it. You’re so hot.”
I put both my hands on his chest and push back to put distance between us. “Stop.”
“Stop what?” He looks at me, eyes dark. “You want me to deny that I want to see you naked under me, wearing nothing but those pearls? Because I won’t. I dream about it.”
I look at him, stunned. Sure, I thought he’d think I was warming to the idea of him and I by wearing his family’s pearls, but I didn’t think he’d think it meant I’d have sex with him.
“That’s enough.” I adjust my glove, trying to focus on something inane so I don’t say or do what I really want to and make a scene.
“I’ll say when it’s enough.” His eyes flash.
I drop my hand and lift my chin. “Stop, before you make a fool out of yourself, Royce.”
