Page 95 of Meant to be Mine

“You look thoroughly ravaged,” he said.

“Thanks. That’s the look I was going for.”

He reached for my panties, which were still on the floor by the bed. I held out my hand for them, but instead of giving them to me, he slipped them into his pocket.

“Drew!”

“What?” His expression was pure innocence. “I’m keeping them safe.”

“I need those.”

“No, you don’t. The dress is long enough. No one will know.”

Heat rushed through me at the thought of walking around the party with nothing on under my dress. “You’re terrible.”

“I’m creative.” He kissed my temple. “I’m just saving time for the next time I have my way with you.”

I laughed, nervous and excited. “Just how long are we out here on this thing?”

“Long enough.”

“You’re terrible.”

“Come on. Let’s get back before someone sends a search party.”

We slipped out of the cabin and made our way back up to the main deck. The party was still in full swing. If anyone had noticed our absence, they didn’t say anything. Drew’s hand found the small of my back, guiding me through the crowd. I was hyperaware of the empty space between my thighs, the fabric of my dress brushing against bare skin with every step.

We found Victoria and Callum near the bar. Victoria pulled me into a conversation about the charity work she was planning, something about expanding the program to include more schools. I tried to focus on what she was saying. I really did. But Drew was standing beside me with his hand casually in his pocket—the pocket where my panties were—and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

His fingers moved slightly. Was he touching them? The thought sent a shiver through me.

“Don’t you think, Kensey?”

I blinked and realized Victoria had asked me a question. “I’m sorry, what?”

She smiled knowingly. “I asked if you thought teachers would be receptive to having volunteers come in to help with the lunch program.”

“Oh. Yes. Absolutely. Most teachers would love the extra support.” I forced myself to focus. “Especially in underfunded schools where resources are stretched thin.”

Drew’s hand shifted in his pocket again. I felt his eyes on me, hot and deliberate. I glanced at him and caught the smirk playing at the corner of his mouth. He knew exactly what he was doing to me.

“That’s what I thought,” Victoria said. “We’re meeting with the district next week to pitch some ideas. Tiana is so excited.”

A burst of laughter from across the deck interrupted her. Hollis and Micah were surrounded by a new group of women, having recovered from their earlier name debacle. Micah said something that made the whole group laugh.

“Those two are incorrigible,” Victoria said with a shake of her head.

“They’re having fun,” Callum said. “Let them be idiots.”

Drew excused us after a few more minutes, claiming he wanted to show me something on the upper deck. We climbed the stairs and found a quieter corner away from the main party. The sun was starting to sink lower on the horizon. It was a signal that our time on the yacht was coming to an end.

He pulled me against him, his back to the railing so we were facing the party. From here we could see everything—the guests mingling, the models still working the crowd, the crew moving through it all like ghosts carrying expensive appetizers.

His hand slid down to my hip, then lower, bunching the fabric of my dress slightly.

“Drew,” I warned, but my voice came out breathy.

“No one’s looking.” His fingers traced lines on me. “You look so fucking good in this dress. I keep thinking about what’s not underneath it.”