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I curved into him, lifting an arm around his neck before tilting my head back onto his shoulder. “Oh, really?” I stretched languidly, my grin conspiring as I met his eyes. “No one would call you gay after what you did to me last night.”
This was too much fun. Bunny’s mouth had dropped open in shock while Max was very, very still.
My awareness of Max heightened. The way I was arching my back, the thrust of my breasts, my barely concealed nipples… I was putting on a show while telling him I was off the market. It didn’t matter how his fists clenched or his nostrils flared, that small tic in his jaw or the bob of his throat. His fiancée stood right next to him. This was their engagement party. He didn’t get to look at me like that without consequences.
Dom chuckled, and his lips met the rim of my ear. Too low for the others to hear, he whispered, “Wouldn’t you rather see Max and me going at it instead?”
Images of Max crying out, weak, trembling at someone else’s mercy assailed me, and my eyes fluttered closed at the thought of it. How perfect that would be. Only Dom wasn’t the one in the picture. It was me holding him down. I was the one making Max cry out, making him weak.
I let out a breath, my tongue tracing my lips as I looked back at him.
“I thought so.” He nudged my nose. “Another time, perhaps?”
“Perhaps.” A slow smile grew.
There were so many ways I could make Max come undone, so much potential. It was such a shame I would rather see him drown than let him anywhere near me.
Dom stroked my hip possessively, keeping me in his grasp. “Bun, you must be so excited.”
“Of course I am! This is going to be the best wedding ever! I’ve already asked Mallory and she said she’s totally up for planning it! You’re all invited, of course.” She beamed.
“OhmyGod!” Bunny grabbed Max’s arm, suddenly distracted. “There’s Lord Hastings talking with Daddy! Come on, Maxxy, I have to introduce you.”
And just like that, off they went in a puff of pink frills and waves. Max threw a look back at both of us. He held my eyes for as long as he could before the crowd swallowed him. I tempered the queasiness threatening to unhinge me.
“You okay?” Concern laced Dom’s voice.
“Just keep holding me.”
My arm was still around his neck, but I needed support. He traced his thumb around my belly button and held me tight, rocking me gently to the low violins playing from the stage, his head on my shoulder as I rested on him, closing my eyes.
Just feeling his warmth was enough to calm me. He helped me bring the air back into my lungs and relieve the tightness grating against my heart. I knew Harry was still behind us, that we should turn around and re-join him, but I needed his comfort. I could see other guests giving us strange looks. Dom’s sexuality and promiscuousness had never been a secret.
“Whatdo you two think you’re doing?” Mum’s shrill question cut through my moment of peace.
“Oh, damn,” was all I heard from Dom before we dropped our arms and turned to find Mum glaring at us in all her glory.
Bunny had styled her in an intense blue mini dress, cutting high up her thigh, with wide full-length sleeves. She’d covered it in swirling galaxies and planets, a sharp contrast to Mum’s platinum blonde hair, which was pinned low and studded with diamond stars.
Jazz and Mum looked alike: high, sharp cheekbones, shocking violet eyes, and pale skin. They were both tall and willowy and carried an ethereal quality that made them perfect for the classic ‘mysterious beauty’ roles in the films they starred in.
Hands on her hips, silver high heels putting her a head above Harry and I, Mum was imposing at the best of times, but with the scowl on her face, we knew we were in for it. “I did not invite the two of you to stand there and make a show in front of the reporters by slobbering all over each other.”
From behind her back, Harry lifted his glass in a mocking toast, silently laughing as he wished us well on the upcoming lecture. He stepped back, trying to escape, but Mum knew him better than that.
“And you.” She rounded on him. “Why are you standing here when you know Mr Devereaux hasn’t given us a donation in almost a year? I want all three of you out there now! I did not spend months organising this party for you to stand around having fun! Get out there and get mingling!” Mum was well-practised at the art of reeling in donations, even if she used to spend half of it on parties.
She still made us feel like children, no matter what the occasion. Luckily, Mum noticed the reporters were creeping closer and straightened her back, her public face returning. She gave the three of us air kisses before sauntering off to find her next victim, but we’d been warned.
I let it slide. We were all used to it by now. The feeling of rage-induced nausea was still strong, and I wanted some space.
“I’m going to take a break. Enjoy your mingling, boys.”
They both gave me nods before Dom stepped into Harry’s space. My brother tilted his neck back to look up at him, softening. Dom’s lips curled into a smile as he took Harry’s empty glass and set it on the fountain’s rim. I turned, aiming for the main entrance of the ballroom.
The glasshouse was my go-to escape whenever the Foundation hosted its fundraisers here. It was quiet, and most people didn’t explore farther than the ballroom or the mezzanine. There were additional rooms upstairs that people would sneak off to later in the night, but the glasshouse was too close to the kitchens to be truly private.
I heard Bunny’s laugh echo across the ballroom and gritted my teeth, keeping my focus on the door. I wouldn’t look. I didn’t want to see the way Max’s arm wrapped around her waist or how they gazed at each other, eyes shining. I hated how easy it was for him to send me dark looks, promising passionate kisses and deep moans while his fingers tangled with his fiancée’s.
