AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Thankfully, the tablecloths were long enough to hide my bulge, steadily growing ever since Cat’s throaty laugh first rolled over me. By the time Mallory Fischer rose above the sea of heads to stand at the front of the room, my cock was straining against my zipper, my knee bobbing, my free hand tapping against my still leg, dying for an out.
Mrs Fischer clinked one of her many forks against her glass, gathering everyone’s attention and signalling the end of dinner.
Silence blanketed the room, and all heads turned to her as her firm voice rolled over us. “I do hope you enjoyed the meal. François has outdone himself yet again. But, of course, he always does.” There were chuckles from around the tables. Obviously, François was a repeat act. “I assume you’re all prepared for a night of entertainment. The classics will be performed in the ballroom for your pleasure. There are also several rooms for retiring. The East Wing lounge is set for poker, craps, and blackjack. All proceeds will go straight to the Foundation, so on behalf of everyone who benefits from the good work our charity workers and volunteers do, don’t hold back.” She raised her glass, and we copied her. “Enjoy yourselves, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” She winked and took a sip as another laugh echoed around the room.
I moved as soon as chairs started scraping out from tables, standing to catch Cat before she got away. Dom rose just as I turned to talk to her, and our eyes connected. He glared at me as he held out a hand for her, muttering to her as she stood. She looked behind her, her face turning to stone as her gaze swung to me. It was a look that promised violence, and it only made me more excited.
They turned to leave. I wanted to follow, but Bunny grabbed my wrist, pulling me back.
“Don’t even think about it.” She hissed, looking up at me, quiet enough that our charming dinner companions couldn’t hear. “I saw that.”
I gave her a bright smile. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, dear.” I took the hand grasping me tightly and lifted it to kiss her knuckles. “Darling,” I said as loudly as possible, bowing deeply, “would you grant me the honour of joining me for the first dance?”
I’d promised Bun three dances so she could show me off. I was hoping Dom was taking Cat to dance. I wanted more time to drink in the sight of her draped in gold and green. She looked like a queen no matter what she wore, but the waterfall of beads caressing her thighs needed my fingers running through them sooner rather than later.
I clocked Cat as soon as I’d entered the dining room. She was dressed for sin, an emerald silk dress cut dangerously high on her thigh, dripping with gold beads and braids and everything sexy known to man. Black feathers sprouted from her headdress, matching her black silk gloves. One of those classic white cigarette holders perched between her fingers, and pearls hung around her neck and wrist. I itched to get closer to see if her legs were bare, wondering how easy it would be to stroke her.
Without blinking, Bunny’s flawless smile fell into place. No one would ever guess that only seconds ago, she was chewing me out.
“That would be perfect, Maxxy. You know how much I love to dance.”
I offered to pull out her chair, and she preened at the envious gazes. If Bunny wanted a performance, I’d go all out, spite forcing me to exaggerate. Love had nothing to do with this.
I let Bunny pull me into the ballroom, and the sheer size of it overwhelmed me. We’d played rooms this size when we were first signed on, easily fitting 1,000 people. This was just the Fischer townhouse. It seemed mad that two people needed this much space. Huge white statues of fierce warriors lined the walls, the waiters from the dining room poised between them with trays of champagne. My mouth dropped open as I looked up, drinking in the vast mural dominated the ceiling. Angels and humans frolicked amongst faeries and demons, framed by golden moulds running over every seam, dividing it into a six-part story.
I wanted to stand there and drink in the beauty of it, but Bunny urged me on. We were blocking the door, and I must have looked stoned, standing there, gawping. One man gave me a concerned look, but no one else was looking up. I couldn’t believe it. We were here, covered by heaven, being watched by beings of pure grace, and everyone was waltzing around the room like it was just another party. Did they not see the nymphs and satyrs carved into the pillars along the walls? Or the deep brown of the old wood beneath our feet, how each piece had been joined asymmetrically, creating ladders up and down the room in a gorgeous puzzle that I wanted to follow with my fingers. Were they all so used to it they didn’t notice anymore? Or was it more important to make connections than drink in all this beauty?
I bet all of these old houses had a life-sized mural just sitting there, unadmired.
This room felt like an embodiment of what I tried to create with my music. Like the designer had poured their soul into this one space, and it reflected the finest parts of themselves.
I was sure this was why Cat had never brought me home. Did she think I wouldn’t fit in? Or was she embarrassed she lived like this when she saw how we scrounged around for money to afford pizza at Steve’s?
Bunny pulled me into a waltz as the music swelled, subtly checking to see how many eyes were on us. Apparently, I’d messed up the dance at our engagement party and embarrassed her.
The music bounced off the walls, the live band on the stage at the front of the room in full swing. As I spun Bunny around the room, I scanned the other dancers, wondering if I could catch my green goddess amongst all the suits and feather boas. There was no sign of her.
Bunny clicked her tongue. “Why aren’t you looking at me?”
At first, I thought the way Bunny was small enough to fit under my chin was cute, but now it was annoying me.
“I am, my darling. I’m just making sure we don’t bump into anyone.”
“Bullshit.”
Well, I wasn’t trying to hide that I was searching for Cat. I hadn’t told Bunny Cat had marked me at the last party, but she dropped enough hints to tell me she knew.
I adjusted my hold, pulling her closer, making sure my face was hovering in front of hers. Anyone looking would see us flirting, two people crazy in love. Not a scheming she-wolf and her reluctant partner.
“Are you jealous, Bun Bun?”
“Not a chance.” she scoffed. “But if people see my all-time number-one lover running off with Cat Fischer, I would lose so many fans. Trying to cover up that mess last week was seriously crazy, and I honestly don’t want to do that every time you get fucked up at a party.”
“Still not forgiven me then?”
“You are on thin fucking ice, Max Rider, I swear to God. I am such a patient person, but you are pressing so many of my buttons right now. I may have to make a scene. At a Foundation party as well.” she sighed dramatically. “They’ll be talking about it for weeks. Cat will besoupset to hear how you’ve been treating your poor little fiancée.”
If I actually liked her, I would have found the pouting cute, but I’d seen too much of Bunny’s ugliness to fall for it. She might have everyone else wrapped around her finger, but it’d become clear since we had first met that she’d take me down without hesitation if she wanted. Another reason this marriage was a bad idea.
