“Hey,” he grabs my chin and I turn to look at him, “that was amazing.” He leans in for a breathtaking kiss, and I wish we could stay like this for the rest of the night, but we need to get back out there. “I’ll go out first while you get cleaned up.” He kisses me one more time before pulling out of me, and I immediately miss the feel of him.
I stand behind the door, so no one will see that we’re in here together, as he exits. Once he closes it, I lean against the heavy wood and sigh in contentment.
I clean myself and then smile at my reflection as I fix my hair and wipe at the mascara under my eyes. It’s amazing what damage a mid-evening romp can cause. I straighten my dress and run some deodorant over my pits before pulling the door open.
Seven
Ian
“Where have you been?” my sister whisper-yells when she sees me walking down the hallway. I was on cloud-fucking-nine until just now.
“I was in the bathroom, if you must know. What the hell’s wrong with you?” I ask when I notice the anger radiating from her face. My sister can go from southern belle to Cruella de Vil in point nine seconds.
She grabs my elbow and pulls me along the wall, away from prying eyes.
“Destiny is here,” she hisses. “Why would you invite her when you were bringing someone else?” The accusation pisses me off.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I run my hands through my hair, yanking at the ends.
“Seriously, Bri? You think I’d invite her anywhere, much less an event for my nephew?” I arch an eyebrow at her.
There was a time when she was Team Destiny, but now? Let’s just say she’s brave for coming around my sister.
“You’re right. I’m sorry. But she’s in the kitchen talking to Mom as we speak. We need to get her out of here before she causes a scene.”
I throw my head back. I hate that I have to deal with this bitch. I broke things off with her two years ago, but she still comes back like a bad rash every now and then. After everything she put me through, the woman has some nerve.
“Fine. I’ll deal with it. But in the meantime, will you call Edward? I’ll probably have to take her home, but Maddison needs a ride, too.”
I start walking toward my ugly past when Bri stops me.
“Is this one different?” I know she’s talking about Maddison, but she also knows how skeptical I am to ever start anything serious with another woman. Thanks to Destiny Hunt.
I turn back to her.
“She’s my new assistant, so no.” That didn’t stop me from defiling her in the bathroom just moments ago, but I know it’ll shut her up.
Bri’s jaw drops and I go in search of Destiny.
“Did my son invite you?” I hear my mother before I round the corner.
“Of course he did. We’re back together, you know.”
Jesus. This woman.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as soon as I get into the kitchen, looking at my mother to let her know that we are, in fact, not together. Destiny is clearly high, which shouldn’t be a surprise.
“You know I wouldn’t miss this for Sammy.” She latches onto my arm like a leech, and I’m quick to move away from her.
The entire time we were together she never cared about my family, much less my nephew—who she always complained about for being too hyper.
“You need to leave,” I grit out through my teeth and I don’t miss the sneer that passes over my mother’s face. Unlike Bri, she’s never liked her. I’d rather die single than ever put up with her again.
She gasps like the dramatic bitch she is, and my mom walks away, leaving me alone with her.
“Are you serious? After everything we’ve been through, don’t you think I should be here for your family?”
“No,” I snap. “We are through and have been for two years. It’s time for you to stop pulling this shit.” I stare at her, waiting for a response. “Get your things and I’ll take you home.”
I don’t want to go anywhere with her, but she can’t drive, and hasn’t been able to in years, so she leaves me no choice.
“I don’t want to go home. I just got here.” I’m not in the mood to put up with her tonight. I’ve got a gorgeous woman here with me who I’ll have some explaining to do to tomorrow at work.
“Let’s go.” I grab her arm, probably rougher than I should, and lead her through the crowd of people here to support my sister and her son. I feel bad having to leave early, but I need to get her out of here.
We finally make it outside and my heart nearly stops in my chest when I see Maddison standing on the sidewalk, her arms crossed over her chest. She turns at the sound of Destiny complaining beside me about not wanting to leave.
I go to her and grab her elbow.
“I’m so sorry, I can explain. Can I call you later?”
I notice the moisture in her eyes, and I know she thinks I’m blowing her off again after fucking her. Why wouldn’t she think that?
“Just go, Mr. Wright.” She spits out my name, as if it tastes like acid on her tongue, and I have a feeling I’ve ruined any chance I might have had with her.
“Ian,” Destiny whines as she draws out my name behind me, and I want to pull my damn hair out. “Are you ready to go home?”
“Go to your girlfriend. I’ll see you at work.” She stares up at me, and the pain on her face doesn’t go unnoticed.
“You think I have a girlfriend after what we just did?”
“I don’t know you. I have no idea what you’re like.”
Her words shouldn’t sting as much as they do. She’s got a good point, but I don’t cheat. Ever. I don’t care how much of an asshole I am.
I ignore her jab as I grab her arm again. “Maddison, I’ll have someone else take her home, if you’ll just let me explain this to you.”
She crosses her arms over her chest. “No, it’s fine. My friend is on her way to get me.”
“Bri was calling Edward to come get you.”
“I don’t need your driver to come get me.” She turns her back, dismissing me.
I sigh heavily, and turn back to Destiny reluctantly.
“Let’s go.” I strut back to her. “Stop being a bitch. I came here with her tonight.”
She scoffs. “Don’t you think she’s a little young for you?”
“No,” I snap. “Now do me a favor and don’t talk the whole way to your apartment.”
“You don’t have to be such a dick.”
I am being a dick, but she’s managed to ruin my night so I don’t care how I’m treating her.
We finally make it to my Bentley, parked in the parking garage.
“You can’t open my door?”
“No. Get in or walk home.”
She gets in and slams her door shut, and I scowl at her.
“You haven’t seen my new place yet, why don’t you come up?” She pulls the mirror down on her visor and swipes lipstick over her lips, as if she’s going out partying, not home.
“No,” is my short answer, as I back out of my parking space.
“Oh, come on,” she whines, and it’s grating on my nerves. “Did you really want to go home with that blonde bitch? She looks like she’s twelve.”