Penance (Devout Trilogy #3) - Lesli Richardson Page 0,4

barely contain her irritation behind her public peaches-and-shucks-y’all smile while I deal with valet parking. Then she hooks her arm around mine and nearly drags me across the portico toward the waiting door.

She tugs on my arm for me to lean in while I’m forcing my usual smile. “Do not embarrass me tonight, asshole,” she whispers in my ear, her icy tone chilling me even more than the biting wind. “I want to get into the prayer group Senator Jergens’ wife runs and I heard she might be here tonight. So turn on the charm and socialize and don’t be a damned wallflower.”

Fuck. Olivia’s focus will be anchored to me if I’m not with her. Until that connection is made, at least.

Before? I would passive-aggressively do any- and everything possible to stymie her.

Now?

I just want to placate her as much as possible.

That her desires dovetail with another recent command from my Sir is a pleasant little coincidence which simplifies my life somewhat.

We check our coats and once we’re signed in, I pause with her on my arm, just inside the doorway to the large ballroom where the event’s being held. We’re not late but we’re not early, either. Based on the number of chairs around the various tables, and the people in attendance, we’re in the first quarter of arrivals. The program doesn’t start for another forty minutes, with dinner being served during that.

Then shock slams into me when I locate our table and discover we’re seated with Liam and Daniel.

As in, Daniel’s place card is right next to my seat.

I don’t know how the hell he managed that feat but I’m already nervous as fucking hell.

And horny as hell.

At least, for once, it’s the good kind of hell.

Glancing around the room, I see Stan Jergens and his wife are already here. “Let’s go talk to them now,” I tell Olivia, dropping her arm and heading that way without waiting for her to respond.

I sense her trying to catch up and I know she’s wondering what the hell’s gotten into me as I walk up to the couple and smile.

“Hey, Elsbeth, Stan. How are you?” I shake with Stan while his notoriously standoffish wife thinly smiles and tips her head to me.

“Fine, thank you,” he says.

“I don’t think either of you have met my lovely wife yet,” I say, throwing Olivia even further off her game, I’m certain. “Olivia Callahan, this is Doctor Elsbeth Jergens and her husband, Senator Stanley Jergens.”

From the way Elsbeth’s gaze narrows, appraising me, I know I just scored points with her. Daniel warned me the formerly celebrated neurosurgeon is touchy about being introduced as “Mrs. Jergens” or taking second-fiddle to her politician husband.

Thank you, Sir.

“Nice to meet you,” Elsbeth finally says.

“I’m actually really happy to run into you tonight,” I continue, “because I was hoping I could introduce you two. Olivia’s schedule recently opened up. I was hoping I could throw myself on your mercy about finding room for one more in your prayer group?”

Olivia’s face goes positively red. I’m certain I’ll pay for this later, even if I do succeed.

Worth it.

“I-I certainly wouldn’t want to impose on you,” Olivia uncharacteristically stammers. “I completely understand why you would be hesitant to open your home to anyone else, and—”

“We are friends of The Fellowship,” I quietly add as I grab Olivia’s wrist and squeeze.

For once in her life, my wife actually takes a freaking hint and shuts the Hell up.

But Elsbeth’s expression lightens. “Ah. You are?”

I nod. “My wife has a lower profile than I do, and far more freedom in some respects. I hope you understand.”

“I do.” She actually offers her hand to shake with Olivia.

I release Olivia’s wrist and she looks stunned as she shakes with the woman.

“How about you and I go talk somewhere a little quieter?” Elsbeth asks, hooking her arm through Olivia’s.

“Yes, that would be lovely!” She glances back at me as they walk off, an astonished smile on her face.

Terrific. Now I’m going to have to dodge her being horny later.

Fuck me.

Still worth it. I’ll get her drunk and pour her into bed and stage her vibrator next to her like I helped her do something. She’ll never know the difference.

She’s never figured it out before. Since our honeymoon, I’ve ducked any semblance of assisting her with “husbandly duties” by simply giving her a couple of drinks and pouring her into her own bed. Fortunately, I only have to resort to that a couple of times a year. The rest