“I totally would. I brought you here to meet some people and have a good time.”
“I thought you believed in the charity the concert is for?”
“You having fun is the cause. The charity is secondary. I already donate tons of money to various organizations. Didn’t have to come here just for that.”
She licks her lips, then squirms. “Fine. But can you please l-lower it? It’s too distracting, which means I reallywon’tbe able to relax.”
The glimmer of her getting turned on makes my dick eager. But I can’t go around with a hard-on already.
I kill the unit. She lets out a soft sigh, eyes closing briefly and shoulders sagging. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure.” She laughs like I intended. “Now, be good or get punished.”
I lead her toward the two.
“Hello, Josh.” Elizabeth smiles, then glances at Klein, her smile still warm and welcoming. “And this must be your fiancée.”
“Yes. Ailee Klein. Klein, meet Elizabeth Pryce-King and Barron Sterling.”
“Hello. Nice to meet you.” Klein and Elizabeth shake hands. “I used to wonder what woman would nab his heart, and you’re exactly what I expected.Loveyour hair, by the way. It’s so pretty.”
Klein flushes, too shy and pleased. “Thank you. You’re stunning, too.”
She turns to Barron, who takes her hand and kisses the fingertips. She starts slightly, but he lets go like a gentleman without commenting on her reaction.
“I can’t put my finger on it, but you look familiar,” he says.
“She’s Katt Klein’s sister,” Elizabeth says.
He stares at her blankly.
“The model,” Elizabeth says.
“A fraternal twin,” Klein adds with a forced smile, likely bracing for some negative comparison.
Barron frowns impressively. “Hmm. Doesn’t seem likely.”
Klein stiffens. I scowl at the old man, ready to rip into him if he says anything hurtful.
“You have the bone structure of a model, but you look like a more relaxed sort of girl. The type who’d love to sit down and share some of my favorite sugar cookies and some Earl Grey tea. Justin and Nate—my grandnephews—dated a few models, and those girls all acted like I was trying to commit murder if I offered them a nice, tasty cookie.” He rolls his eyes. “Models.”
I lean over to Klein. “He’s really fond of his sugar cookies.”
“Thanks, I…got that.” She smiles. “I’d love to have cookies with you. If you want, I can even bake some for us. I have the best double chocolate chip cookie recipe. They taste like soft fudge.”
Barron turns to me. “You seem to have chosen well, young man.”
Beside me, I can practically sense Klein relaxing, growing open and warm.
I smile. “Thank you. I think so. And how is Stella?”
“Oh, capital! Keeps me on my toes, I can tell you that.” He turns back to Klein. “Also makes a mean batch of cookies.” He winks.
“Unless it’s a secret, I’d love to get that recipe from you,” Elizabeth says. “My son is obsessed with baking after watchingThe Greatest British Bake Off. Since I have to at least try whatever comes out of the oven, I prefer that it’s something good. The tart he made last time was… To borrow my cousin’s chef’s phrasing, ‘Only fit for pigs that you find particularly displeasing.’” She sniffs daintily.
Klein laughs. “Of course.”
“By the way, you’re coming to the art auction that I’m planning in L.A., right?” Elizabeth says.
