“Oh God, yes.” I grin, memories flooding back. “I was so excited. Wore this monstrous cupcake of a dress. But alas, my virtue remained intact. Every man there was a perfect gentleman.”
“What a shame.” Bailey winks. “But hey, it’s never too late to make up for lost time. I bet that mountain of muscle you call a bodyguard could show you a thing or two. Jesus, where did you find him? Those arms alone...”
“Mmmm,” Riley hums. “Bailey’s got a point. He looks...talented.”
My stomach does a backflip. “Stop it,” I say. “He’s working. I don’t want you distracting him.”
“Sure.” Bailey laughs. “Because he’s working, not because you’re secretly hot for him.”
I narrow my eyes and send her a threatening look. “I’m not secretly hot for him.”
I chance another glance at Ryder, hulking in the shadows. Heat floods my cheeks as forbidden thoughts race through my mind. The things he could do to an innocent debutante... The things I want him to do to me...
“Well, maybe not so secretly,” Bailey continues. “It’s written all over your face.”
“Fine,” I concede, “he’s hot. But that’s it. I don’t even like him. He’s my bodyguard, for God’s sake. And I’m with Arlo.”
Bailey’s eye roll is practically audible. “Are you, though?”
“Yes.”
“You haven’t been with him since the mugging, and it’s been what? Two weeks? Your relationship is over; you’re just not ready to admit it yet. Have you fucked him since then?” Bailey presses relentlessly.
“What?”
“Have you fucked him since that night?”
No. We haven’t even really kissed. I can’t bring myself to touch him. But I still hope it will pass, that everything will go back to how it was before.
“That’s none of your business,” I snap.
“That’s a no,” Bailey says, her tone gentler now.
Ryder shifts closer. Panic flutters in my chest—I don’t want him privy to this conversation.
“Alright, that’s enough,” Riley intervenes, ever the peacemaker. “This calls for more alcohol. To the bar!”
“Yes,” I agree. “Let’s go to the bar.”
We make our way to the bar and order drinks. The girls and I raise our shot glasses and clink them together. “What are we toasting to?” I ask, my hand still raised.
“Success,” Riley says.
“Mind-blowing orgasms,” Bailey adds with a wink.
“And love!” Jill’s voice rings out as she joins us. “Starting the party without me?”
I down the sharp liquid in my throat. I don’t even know what it is, but it’s tasty and warms me up. “Another,” I ask. The cute bartender obliges with a flirtatious smile. He’s attractive, sure, but he’s no Ryder...
Damn it. There he is again, invading my thoughts.
“Want one?” I offer the shot to Ryder, knowing he’ll refuse.
He shakes his head, stoic as ever.
“Food, maybe?”
“I don’t eat out,” he says.
