AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You know the quarterback, correct?”
“I do. Daniel. He’s a good man. Got a good team around him, and they care about each other. It makes them stronger.” Finally, Lukas started to sound more like his normal self, but heloosened his grip on my fingers at the same time. Not that it had been tight to begin with.
Not sure what else to do and aware I wasn’t really part of the conversation or seemingly wanted here, I let go of Lukas’ hand and shifted back a bit. He didn’t seem to even notice that I was leaving as he and Richard launched into a conversation I didn’t understand about the season stats so far.
I looked around to see if there was anyone I could talk to who might make me feel safe. Whatever was bothering Lukas, it seemed to be about me, and I got the impression he wasn’t going to help me at all.
Considering he had his toy inside me, and it was making it harder to focus on everything, I was more than a little upset, but I was also angry. He had made me a promise that if I did as he asked, he would take care of me. I had pushed myself to do it even when I wasn’t sure I wanted to. If this was how he was going to repay me, I was no longer interested in playing this game and seeking his comfort.
Thankfully, Sarai noticed I was looking around and came over to me, carrying another drink and handing it to me.
“Well, this is going great. Plenty of people asking to work with all of us,” she whispered as she handed me the glass of bubbly. “You should be very proud of yourself. I’ve had so much interest in your designs, and Richard has been singing your praises to all who will listen.”
“Thank you,” I replied, flushing a little and not sure what else to say. If nothing else, Sarai had done her best to be kind to me. I felt safer with her than anyone else right now. As she linked her arm through mine and made it clear she wanted me with her for the next few minutes, I gulped down several mouthfuls of champagne and tried not to think about anything else.
If we were going to mingle, and Lukas didn’t want me at his side, I would handle this another way. If nothing else, peoplewere at least reacting well to the dress Lukas bought me. That had to be worth a little appreciation, but I was done doing what he asked me without trying to enjoy this gathering in my own way.
Sarai was also a little tipsy, although I got the impression she would handle it better than I could and often did business in this state when projects were going well. Either way, she encouraged me to drink, and I wasn’t going to argue. Liquid courage was better than no courage.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FOUR
It took me by surprise when everyone in the box cheered at the end of the game. I didn’t know enough about it to follow who was winning, and Sarai kept me talking to her and several of the other women near the back of the box.
Everyone around me began clapping, so I did the same and smiled. It sounded like our team had won if nothing else. I didn’t know what to do and froze as everyone shifted and Sarai finally left my side to go back to Richard.
Although Lukas seemed to want me at his side at first, after the last hour or so, I wasn’t sure what he wanted. I had drunk enough, and the toy inside me had worked my body up into a pent-up ball of desire. No matter how confused I was by Lukas, I was very much hoping he would screw me soon. Or tell me I had done enough for him and let me take the balls out.
As I walked toward him, he finally gave me his attention, but again, he didn’t seem to want me at his side. He turned to the closest person and started talking to them about the game.
I swallowed as I stopped right in the middle of the room. What was his problem all of a sudden? Was this part of his game? Trying to get me frustrated, pent-up, practically beggingfor him to take me home and fuck me? Because if so, it wasn’t working.
All I felt from his behavior was rejected, hurt, and confused. This wasn’t the way I wanted to be treated when he knew I was nervous and scared of what people would think of me. After standing there a few seconds, I made myself look busy by taking my almost empty glass back to the small bar and ordering another drink.
I didn’t even care if I had to pay for the overpriced alcohol at this point. If I was going to be left to my own devices and treated like this, I was at least going to try and enjoy everything else.
It wasn’t long before some of the people left, saying goodbye and heading back to whatever business they would be conducting this week. As the group diminished, I found myself back beside Sarai, Richard beckoning to Lukas.
“Are you able to get us some time with the team?” Richard asked, probably the only one who would dare make such a blatant request to Lukas.
There was no way I was weighing into this conversation, but I couldn’t deny I wanted to see Daniel. He was someone Lukas seemed also to want to take care of or at least be there for.
“Oh, I’m sure at least one of them will want to see me and have me say hi to some of the team again.” Lukas smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes.
As soon as he answered the question, he looked around, scanning the room. I followed his gaze, but whoever he was looking for, he didn’t see.
“All right, why don’t I head downstairs? I’ll see who’s available. They usually have to do a few press moments, but they’ll already be getting changed, eager to escape from all the journalists. I’ll be back with whoever is happy to talk.” Lukas walked away without looking my way.
I exhaled, relaxing as soon as he was gone. I still felt out of place and wasn’t sure what was going on in his head, but maybe he was trying to be a good host. This was about business, and it had been partially his and partially Sarai’s idea, from what I could understand. For all I knew, this could be the way they needed to do business.
Every time I pitched for a project or tried to generate leads, I was nervous. It was possible Lukas was anxious himself. But he still wasn’t keeping his promise to me.
On top of that, I was starting to ache. The constant pressure of keeping the toys inside me made me tired, and as much as I hadn’t stopped sipping the champagne or even drinking it faster, I wasn’t getting drunk. I was too on edge, and my body was processing the alcohol quickly.
Not sure what else to do, I sat down out of the way and waited. Right now, I didn’t care if anyone talked to me or followed. I was dog-tired and feeling it.
The rest of the room mingled, and for a moment, I actually enjoyed people-watching. It was clear that I didn’t entirely belong in these circles. I didn’t talk business the way the rest of them did, and no matter how I was dressed, it was only Sarai, Richard, and Lukas who had been kind to me.
Peter and James were both on the prowl, and I got the impression they were after sex and little else. They had enough money they could pull. Both of them had left, and a trail of women followed them. Finally, I felt safe, even if I didn’t want to be here any longer.
