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He pushed me, touching me like he had every right, and instead of shrinking, of pushing him away, I liked it. There was a feeling of being taken, something I never believed I would enjoy, but when his hand connected with the outside of my panties?
I melted. I wanted more, when deep down, the more civilized part of me told me no.
“Here you go.” The woman hands the card back as Martel slips his arm around my waist, drawing another tense smile.
“Shall we?” Martel extends his free hand toward the open doors of the auction hall, where the bidding seems to have concluded and a band is beginning to play. As we approach the doors, he stops, pulling me forward, taking a long look back at the table where eyes are still pinned to us. “Don’t worry about them.”
“I’m not worried about anyone,” I answer, looking up at him and realizing just how big he is. His beard moves as he bites into his bottom lip.
“Good, because it’s time to start our date.”
Before I can answer, his lips are on my neck again and all the breath left in my lungs expels, my hands swoop up and around his shoulders. The last thing I see as I feel his tongue trace up toward my ear is the two women at the table staring, as Martel’s free hand reaches around and grabs my ass.
Chapter 7
Martel
Jesus, she is perfection.
Not just how she looks but the way she takes no shit. Not from me.
Or from fucking Tabitha and her royal bitch of a mother.
Their inflated sense of self-importance took a hard knock from Bria, and pride swelled in my chest watching her smack her hand on the table.
“Come with me.” I grab her hand and pull her back into the ballroom where people are starting to dance and a long buffet table is now filled with food. The scent of prime rib swirls in the air as Bria follows me between the round tables, as I nod at greetings as we go.
“Where are we going?” Her voice is unsure.
“I want you to meet someone.”
I tighten the possessive grip on her hand as my balls throb, feeling like they weigh ten pounds, hanging low between my legs.
“Well.” My mother gives Bria a puzzled look as we approach the table where she and my grandfather are seated with Roan standing behind her with a smirk. “This is the winning bidder?”
“Bria.” I pull her closer next to me and extend my arm toward my grandfather. “I want you to meet Mikhail Ostrovsky, my grandfather and the guest of honor for this evening’s event.”
“Nice to meet you.” She reaches out and takes his hand. “I saw your picture on the banner when I came inside. Guest of honor.” She gives him a playful smile.
“Pleasure is mine.” He gives her a long look, then back to me. “Looks like there’s a little Christmas magic in the air.”
“I’m Martel’s mother.” My mother extends her hand. “Sonya Kozlov.”
She says her name like it’s carved into a monument somewhere.
“Bria Driscoll.” Bria extends her hand to my mother, who turns hers knuckles-up, with her gigantic wedding ring upward like Bria is supposed to kiss it.
“I don’t believe I’ve heard of any Driscolls before. Have you recently relocated here? Do you have family?”
Bria opens her mouth to answer but I release her hand and slip it around her waist, cutting my mother’s condescending interrogation short. “I just wanted to introduce you to the winning bidder, Grandpa. You’re the only reason I’m here.” I give my mother a sour look but then Bria stiffens next to me and I hate that she’s uncomfortable. Only, a second later, when she starts to speak, I realize it’s not discomfort, it’s something else.
“I’m sure you haven’t heard of my family.” Her shoulders shift back and I swear she’s an inch taller next to me as she continues. “My father worked at the Lincoln Park steel mill until a few years ago. I live on Pines Ave. I have since I was a little girl. I’m here for Martel. He asked me to come.”
My mother looks like she’s seen a ghost and my grandfather is grinning from ear to ear.
“Looks like Christmas brought you a very special present this year.” Roan chimes in as my grandfather gives me a wink.
I look to Roan who gives me a quick salute, steps around the table and extends his hand to Bria. “I’m Roan.” He tips his head my way. “Known this mess of maleficence since he was nine. He’s a lot of bark and some bite. But, I get the feeling you’ll be able to handle him.”
“That’s enough.” I look at my friend who smiles and steps back. I take a deep breath, meeting my Grandfather’s eyes. “Enjoy the rest of your evening, Grandpa.” I then shift my gaze to my mother, giving her a look that tells her she better behave. “Mother.” I nod as she settles back in her chair with a thin-lipped frown. “Bria and I are starting our date. Tonight.”
