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Dominic had poured his heart out to me. He’d done it right, making me see that he not only truly wanted a suitor visit, but he deserved one. This other asshole seemed to think he was getting one by divine right or something. Fuck him.
Dominic looked over his shoulder at the man and then back at me as he silently shook his head. He was upset. He either didn’t like Pike or didn’t like the idea of me being with the man. I could see the disappointment on his face and knew that he expected I would accept Pike’s request. Who wouldn’t? The man was bad-boy gorgeous.
“Give me a day to think about your request, Mr. Pike,” I said. “I will dedicate this night to my first suitor and will take no more this evening. A man willing to truly pour his heart out in front of a crowd is a man I’d be proud to call my fellow. And he deserves my undivided attention.”
The crowd went nuts again. I was pretty sure I heard some laughter. Pike’s mouth hung open.
Take that, motherfucker. You thought you would embarrass me tonight? Not me, Pal. Now you’ve been snubbed by both Lauren and me.
Pike turned and made his way into the crowd. I’d upset two men in one evening. Dominic helped me stand and my heart melted in his smile. At least I’d made somebody happy. But even through my tough attitude and rude remark, I still found myself thinking about Pike. What if he’d spoken up first? The thought brought an aching between my legs.
As per tradition, the night air was filled with fireworks and music. A band played old tunes, mostly from the 1980s, and we all danced like crazy. I hung on Dominic’s arm and enjoyed myself. Everyone was so happy. In a town where TV was banned, parties were the most exciting thing to happen.
Doves took turns being spun around on the dancefloor by each of their fellows. A few of the single Doves flirted with the single guys, most just shy of their eighteenth birthday. I saw Kent in that crowd and for a brief second I was a little bit jealous. I pulled Dominic in and planted a kiss on his lips. It wasn’t a romantic one with tongue but it definitely got his attention.
“I have to use the bathroom,” I told him.
“I’ll walk you over there,” he said.
“No, it’s okay. I’ll be fine. I think I need a moment away from the music. I’m drowning in my senses.”
He kissed my cheek and I walked away.
I honestly did need a moment to myself. The music, the dancing, the people…all of it was a bit too much. My ears rang as I made my way away from the crowd and over to the nearest outdoor bathroom. I didn’t even make it all the way there when I heard their voices.
“I don’t understand you,” she said. “Just a second ago you were asking for a suitor visit.”
“I’m confused,” he said. “I still want you but you won’t give me a chance.”
“You ruined your chance when you snuck into that suitor cabin and tried to seduce me. When you got my husband kicked out of the community. You lost that chance, Pike. You hurt me deeper than I thought I could ever be hurt. I loved Alé. I still love him now. And he’s lost to me.”
I stopped close to the bathroom and squatted down behind a stack of logs. They were somewhere just beyond, probably on the side of the barn. The sound of Lauren’s tears rang through the air.
“I know I can never repair the pain and misery I’ve caused you,” Pike said. “But I’m still in love with you. I always will be.”
“And what about Jessica?” Lauren asked.
“What about Jessica?”
“Do you love her?”
“I don’t know her. She’s beautiful and she’s young and she’s definitely tempting. Could I learn to love her? Sure. But I don’t want to. I want you.”
It sounded as if they were kissing. Then the sound of a cold, hard slap. Lauren had slapped him.
“I’m a married woman. What was once between us died when you fucked over my husband. My husbands and my children are all that matter to me.”
The sound of kissing again. He was trying so hard, and I don’t know why, but the fact that Pike wanted her so badly was a turn on to me. It sounds fucking crazy, I know, but something about the fact that one of the Original Seven liked him enough to make out with him was kind of like a stamp of approval. If Pike wanted a suitor visit I’d give him one. But not tonight.
And, yes, he’d fucking learn to love me.
I turned to walk away and heard footsteps behind me. I had to hurry back to the crowd before I was seen.
I went back to dancing with Dominic, pretending that I’d peed and rushed back.
The music slowed and I felt a hand on my arm.
“Excuse me,” Pike said. “Do you mind if I have this dance?”
