He chuckles, the sound vibrating in my core. “Might be worth it. Just figuring out how it all works, you know, forafterthe fundraiser.”
Crossing the room, I shake my head at him with a “tsk.” I pull open the top drawer of the dresser.
“You should leave the underwear where it is, Firecracker. We don’t need it.” There’s a smile lacing his words, and if I turn around, he’ll be licking his lips, or have that wolfish grin on his face that usually has me bent over and screaming his name in ten seconds.
We don’t have ten seconds, though. Our friends will be here any moment, and I’d rather not put on a show for them.
Pulling out what I was looking for, I spin to face him. “I had this made for you to match my dress. It’s already tied, but if you’re insisting you’re good with the self-tie…” I shrug.
“Gimme the friggin’ tie, woman.”
“Say I was right first, man.”
He sighs. “You know you were right. Why do I have to say it?” He’s whining like a child, and not even the ding of the doorbell is getting him out of admitting it.
“Because if you don’t, you’re not getting laid tonight.” I don’t give a fuck about the bowtie, or that he was wrong, orwhether or not he admits he was wrong, I just live for the playful banter between us.
“I love you.” He steps toward me, and I step back.
“I love you, too.” I even add the sign for “I love you.”
“You were right. I was wrong. Will you fuck me later?”
“And they say romance is dead, Raffi.”
He’s licking his lips. “Just a taste?”
“You two better not be doing dirty things in there.” Apollo’s voice echoes down the hall.
“Yeah, I have a sensitive disposition. My ears couldn’t handle such noises.” Ares is most definitely not a sensitive soul, but the thought makes me giggle.
“Ignore them, take your time.” Eloise, always the voice of reason and patience.
“Raffi, you told us not to let you be late.” Artemis’s voice carries a note of caution.
I’m definitely not performing in front of anyone, so I turn and head out to our waiting friends. The guys decided we needed Escalades—plural—to come and pick us up. Apollo, Artemis, Ares, and Tate are all waiting in my living room, looking dapper in their tuxes.
The girls and I coordinated the colored bow ties to match our dresses. Eloise has freshly dyed bright pink hair, and she’s in a cotton candy colored, knee-length tulle skirt, with the most delicate, intricate, lace bodice. It has a plunging neckline, leaving a triangle of skin to show down to her belly button. She looks incredible.
Penelope is wearing a Snow Pirates blue, A-line, V-neck floor length gown, with long sleeves. The ruched chiffon wouldn’t work for me, but man, she looks like a runway model. Tate hasn’t taken his eyes off her since we walked into the room.
With Edith out of town, Apollo’s plus one is his sister Athena. She has a lacy dark purple one-shoulder number. It’san opulent evening dress with a thigh split so high I’d be terrified to sit down in it, but she looks incredible.
I have no idea who Artemis is bringing, but we’ll find out at the gala. His date is meeting him there, I guess she didn’t want the fuss of, well, all of us showing up at her door. Don’t blame her, we’re a lot.
Eloise rushes across the room to me. “You look amazing.” She air kisses my cheek.
I hate having attention on me, so I brush her off. “You saw pictures.”
She shakes her head. “Didn’t do you justice. You look fantastic.”
“She’s right.” Apollo chimes in. “I know you’re not supposed to comment on a woman’s weight, but your trips to the gym are showing. You look great.”
My face is on fire. Mom’s quietly milling around the room taking pictures with my SLR camera and Wyatt, who was supposed to be in bed by now, is chatting to Ares, probably telling him about his new lightsaber that one Ms. Mayrik Grandma bought him two weeks before fucking Christmas. Raffi’s parents are here too, and so’s Phil. We have a full house.
Something’s got the hairs on my neck standing at attention, but it’s probably nerves about the fundraiser. I’m desperate for it to go well for Raffi.
“How’s school going, Tori? We haven’t seen much of you since you started law school.” Artemis, not letting the attention fall from me, speaks loudly enough for everyone to hear.
