Page 114 of Worth Loving You

This was Milo’s family. They all were wearing designer clothes, covered in thousands of dollars’ worth of accessories, all looking miserable.

I started to put my elbow on the table but cleared my throat and tucked my hand to my lap. This was turning out to be quite the awkward birthday party. I thought for sure it would be the best I’d ever had.

So far, I just wanted to go home. Would it be rude if I went to sit with my friends for a few minutes?

Staring down at my filet mignon that cost forty-nine dollars, I poked at the asparagus with the gold, decorative fork. Doing the math in my head, adding in the extras for the alcoholic beverages and the bottles of champagne, I figured this dinner was costing Milo close to five grand, if not more.

Five thousand dollars, and I was sitting here moping, wishing I was somewhere else. What was wrong with me? I was being selfish. It was obvious Milo had been planning this night for a while, the reservations were on a waiting list at least two months out.

A brow arched for a second. Because of who he was, maybe he didn’t have to make a reservation. Maybe he just called up, gave his name, and automatically got in. That’s how it happened in the movies.

Then again, in the movies, there was danger and drama around every corner, shady business deals going down, drugs, stolen jewels, and shootouts happening all the time.

Since I’ve been with Milo, the most dramatic event was catching him balls deep in my best friend a few weeks ago. Seemed pretty normal to me.

Crossing my ankles and tucking them beneath the chair, I sat up better, taking a bite of baked broccolini. I was in my head too much, over analyzing everything. I needed to just take one day at a time and relax.

I picked up my glass of red wine, bringing it to my mouth as I swallowed the food. Tingles prickled down my spine, breaking me out in goosebumps when I could feel Wyatt’s stare.

Out the corner of my eye, I gazed his way. He was standing at the end of the bar, one leg slightly bent. Leaning a forearm on the surface, his elbow was propped next to it, holding a glass of brandy in front of his face.

His sight openly raked over me, his lips taut, his eyes dark. Taking a sip, he returned his focus to his brothers, dismissing me.

I cleared my throat, took a sip, and set the glass down. It had been three days since he put an end to our affair. As sad as I was of the silent treatment and wall between us, he did the right thing. Despite my weakness for him, I had been riddled with guilt. How did I justify sleeping with him after whining to Milo from day one about his mistresses? I finally get the man to be monogamous, and I fall into bed with my bodyguard.

The sex was unlike anything I’d ever experienced. Sex with Milo was rough, frantic, desperate, fulfilling, amazing, beautiful. Sex with Wyatt had been consuming. It wasn’t just passion getting out of control like with Milo, it was an event all its own. My soul invested, my mind possessed, my body dominated. Every single sense was tested and pushed to the limits. I didn’t just feel sex with Wyatt, I experienced it.

“You’re so beautiful tonight.”

I batted my lashes, not even realizing I had been gazing at Milo with my head tipped. A blush heating my cheeks, I covered his hand with mine for a gentle squeeze. “You look pretty fantastic, too.”

He stretched his frame toward me to whisper in my ear, “I can’t wait to bend you over in the backseat, lift that dress, and eat my delicious dessert.”

My belly swirled with a breathy giggle, glimpsing anxiously around the table. Did they know he just said something naughty? I wasn’t exactly being coy with my flaming blush and quiet giggle.

Jack sneered and shook his head, downing his martini.

He didn’t like me. Was it because I was an outsider? My weight? Everyone at this table was flawless either by nature or surgeons. I didn’t exactly blend.

Arching a brow, I matched his animosity, not backing down. I may not have had my body professionally sculpted to fit what society deemed perfect, but I was still beautiful. I knew it, and Milo knew it. Who cared what Jack thought? I wasn’t going home with him.

He sat up and removed his hand from mine. Picking up his flute of champagne, he pushed his chair back and stood while tapping the glass to get everyone’s attention.

My brows furrowed. What was he doing?

The humdrum of the room settled. Twisting my waist to look all around, everyone was eyeing him. I smiled nervously, fidgeting with the loose curls around my neck.

“I want to thank everyone for coming here tonight to help me celebrate my lovely lady’s birthday.”

My heart swelled, the blush burning brighter.

“Twenty-seven years ago, the world became a better place because this…” He sighed, his free hand pressed to his chest. “Beautiful creation was born,” he finished, gazing at me with sparkling eyes.

My smile started to fall, emotions rising. How did he always know exactly what to say to make me melt?

A few of my friends aww’d while everyone at our table seemed to grow tense.

“She hasn’t always had an easy life, but she faced her trials with courage and bravery and turned into one of the strongest people I know, and I’m just so crazy about her.”