I pull my phone from my pocket while Grant and his friends discuss the company and all the money they’re making.
The coast is clear. Your husband is as annoying as ever and doesn’t notice you’re gone. I would have noticed. Just so you know.
While waiting for her response, I glance up and nod my head, pretending to be interested in the details of a luxury yacht one of his friends purchased. My phone vibrates.
Adeline: You notice everything, so that’s not saying much. Evil people always have to keep an eye out. Did you enjoy dinner, by the way? I’m sure the conversation with Mr. and Mrs. Huxley was a blast.
I have no clue who she’s talking about. But it only confirms she’d planned to make me miserable.
I missed dinner. I was too busy remembering how good your pussy tastes and took longer than I should jacking off.
Grant nudges me with his elbow and drags me back to the conversation.
“What do you say, Harrison? Would you be interested in a weekend aboard Henry’s yacht?”
My brows shoot up my head. “Sounds amazing. Just let me know when.”
Another friend pipes up about some plane he just bought, most likely to top the other guy, and I’m saved by Adeline’s answer.
Adeline: Are you still standing with Grant? Please tell me you’re not texting shit like that while my husband is right next to you.
The corner of my lip curls.
He’s right here. I’m actually trying to imagine what you would look like on your knees, naked, with your hands tied behind your back while I fuck your mouth. I bet you’d be beautiful. You’ll choke at first, but that’s okay. Eventually you’ll get the hang of it.
The little dots pop up that she’s responding. Disappear. Reappear. And are gone again. Meanwhile, I keep glancing up, pretending to listen, nodding at the appropriate times.
If I had a gun on me, I’d shoot myself just to end this.
Adeline: Not funny.
I grin.
You’re the one who owes me a favor. So, who’s laughing?
Her response is immediate.
Adeline: I’m working. Leave me alone.
Chuckling at that, I slip my phone away and feign interest in the conversation.
There’s only one person who can force me to suffer like this, but if it’s to help her find herself again, I’ll do what’s necessary.
It isn’t all bad.
Not when I pass the time thinking of all the ways she can make it up to me.
Adeline
Ari: You may want to come down now. Grant just asked his sister if she’s seen you.
I glance at my phone when it pings, half expecting another dirty message about what Ari wants to do to my body, but then panicking when I see what is says.
Two hours he’d somehow given me, but now that Grant is asking questions and Gloria is on the hunt, I need to make an appearance.
After slipping my heels on, I leave the room and hurry downstairs, my eyes meeting Ari’s as I sneak past a group of people to walk to the bar.
Champagne in hand, I begin making rounds of the room, engaging in small talk here and there as I slowly wind my way over to my husband’s group. They stand near the dance floor, most of them ignoring the elegant couples who are slow dancing.
I slip my hand into Grant’s, making effort to ignore Ari’s dark stare, and tilt my face up to smile at my husband.
“There you are,” he says, hand squeezing mine. “I’ve been looking for you all night.”
Liar...
It hurts to think he hadn’t noticed my absence until recently, but then, that’s Grant. Ever the businessman, his focus on generating money.
“I was making rounds. Ensuring the ladies are having a pleasant night.”
Giving me a brief smile intended to coddle, he releases my hand and returns his attention to the group.
Another ten minutes and I’ll be able to sneak upstairs again, just as soon as Gloria catches sight of me with Grant and goes back to whatever she’s doing.
Moving away so I’m not in the middle of his conversation, I startle when Ari steps up behind me.
He’s a wall of heat at my back, but manages to keep from touching me. Anybody who might look over won’t see anything wrong with how close we are, but to me it’s far too intimate a proximity to be comfortable.
“Did you get a lot of work done?” he asks, his voice a soft purr, like satin rubbing between my thighs.
I don’t turn to look at him, my stare locked on the dancers.
His scent wraps around me,