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“Breanne Reynolds,” Bre said, extending her hand trying to smile despite the awkwardness of the situation.
“Bre conducts public relations for Rochester House,” Thomas jumped in trying to break the tension. Bre mentally thanked him for the assist. Henry did not move, and Sienna continued to smile so brightly Bre wondered if her face hurt.
“How nice,” Sienna said, even though her tone hardened.
The tension between the foursome grew thicker and thicker until Bre felt suffocated from the weight of it. “Henry, darling,” Sienna said, finally addressing her date who stood stock still throughout their entire exchange, “There’s someone I wish to introduce you to,” she told him returning to her previous state of ignoring Bre.
Henry did not move during the entire exchange. He remained still as a statue with an awkward and possessive hand on Bre’s back. Even when she attempted to squirm away, he moved closer. Finally, his silence broke, “It’s time to return home,” he told the group.
Sienna said nothing, but her million-watt smile turned to a frown, and her eyes narrowed as she finally acknowledged Henry’s body language. Bre expected her to explode, but instead, she said, “Of course. The day has been long, and I am knackered.”
Bre smiled, readying herself to bid Sienna and Henry, so she naturally felt incredible shock at Henry’s next words. “Fantastic, your brother can take you home,” Henry told her, shocking the entire group with his abruptness.
“Pardon me?” Sienna said her smile never slipping from her perfectly formed lips.
“Thomas and Breanne appears finished here,” Henry said presumptuously. “I assume Thomas is heading back home, so he can take you, and I’ll take Ms. Reynolds,” Henry’s explanation made sense if either Thomas or Bre mentioned that their date was at an end.
“The evening isn’t over,” Bre cried out in shock. Henry’s high handedness knew no bounds. She knew that Thomas and Sienna must assume something was happening between Henry and Bre, and while she was not interested in Thomas, she did not want him to think she came out with him to get to Henry. She stared at her date intently hoping he would understand the plea in her eyes.
Thomas smiled at her gently before turning his attention to Henry. His expression darkened as he took in the dastardly Duke.
“It’s alright,” Thomas said through clenched teeth “We’ve seen the photos, and Henry’s assessment proves correct. I have an early morning. It’s better not to go out of my way.” Now, Bre felt embarrassed. Thomas made it sound like dropping her back at Rochester would be a great inconvenience. This night was not going even remotely as expected.
“Seems settled than,” Henry said.
Bre was not sure who looked more shocked and disgruntled, her or Sienna. Sienna was better at recovering. She plastered a broad smile across her face, one that showed off her perfect teeth, but hid the fact that she was obviously pissed.
“Sounds smashing,” Sienna said enthusiastically. “I’ll telephone you tomorrow?” she asked.
“Looking forward to it,” Henry said before escorting Bre away from the Marlborough siblings.
“We cannot go out the front,” she told Henry, panicking as she considered how much worse this night might become. “It’ll look terrible if you are photographed leaving with me when you came with Lady Priscilla,” she told him.
“Fuck,” Henry ground out before rerouting his way across the room. “We will go out the back. I’ll have the car brought around.” Bre nodded, unsure of what else to say. She needed a way back to her flat in Rochester, and since Thomas ditched her at Henry’s request, he was her only way out.
“Way to blow it with Sienna,” Bre told Henry as she followed him out the back. “Don’t let her smile fool you, she’s pissed,” she told him.
Henry snorted in amusement at her words. “I didn’t blow anything. Sienna will be fine, and she’ll bloody get over it,” he said as they exited the building.
“Wow, you don’t know you, girlfriend, at all,” Bre said.
“Jealous?” he asked her. Bre answered his inquiry with an eye-roll.
“Hardly,” she told him. “After all, I set you up with her,” she reminded.
“Yes,” Henry responded. “Remind me to reward you for three of the most boring weeks of my life. Nearly became an alcoholic with the amount of scotch I consumed,” he mentioned dryly before opening the car door for Bre.
The sight of the interior sparked a reminder of what occurred last time she allowed Henry to give her a ride. “Recalling the ride you gave me?” Henry asked his breath tickling against the back of her neck. Every muscle tensed at his presence.
“Stop doing that,” Bre demanded as she swatted him away. “What happened in this car will not happen again,” she breathed out. Her words lacked conviction as her body trembled in desire.
Henry took a step closer towards her, and Bre slammed the door. “I’ll take a train,” she said, dodging his advance. Being alone with him felt like a recipe for disaster.
“Get in the car,” Henry ordered as she walked away.
“No!” Bre shouted as she continued walking away, unsure of her destination.
Henry exhaled in frustration, “Get in the car, Breanne,” he demanded once more.
