“You need to keep out of other people’s business. We don’t like to talk about our feelings.”
“I can’t help it. I’m nosey. By the way, we’ve got a party to attend tonight.”
He slowly raises a brow. “Really? Whose party?”
“My brother Lawson. He won an international award for his whiskey, so he’s celebrating.”
His eyes widen. “Good on him.”
“Lawson told me to ask Bomber and Zara, so I’ve already spoken to Zara about it and organized us a room each to sleep in, so we can all drink.”
“Where’s it at?”
“The resort,” I answer.
He pauses, then his face falls. “So that means your dad is going to be there.”
I frown. “It’s important for Lawson, so just ignore Dad.”
His face softens. “Yeah, I know. I’ll deal with your dad.” Viper’s surprisingly handling my family, my lifestyle, and my extroverted personality well.
* * *
The day goes by quickly.At six-thirty p.m., I’m touching up my makeup. I’m going with a summer glow, natural makeup, with my blonde hair in waves and a white embroidered wrap dress with white Louboutin shoes. To add the final touches, I’m wearing a white lace lingerie set with garters and stockings. If he doesn’t have sex with me tonight, he either is desperate to stay married or he might be getting his needs met elsewhere. The thought burns.
There’s a light knock on the door. “Sophie, are you ready yet?” Zara’s soft voice filters through. I sling my bag over my shoulder, step toward the door, and open it wide. “Woah,” she says. “You look beautiful. Viper won’t be able to keep his hands off of you.”
I smile back. “That’s the plan.” She chuckles.
Zara is naturally stunning; her long midnight hair is straight. She’s wearing a fitted black dress with a princess neckline with a deep V. The dress falls to just below her knees.
I link my arm with hers, and we walk together through the hallway and down the stairs. We’re met with whistling and cheering, mainly from the women but also from a few of the men. As I let go of Zara, I notice the pink in her cheeks.
Bomber strides to her and wraps his hands around her as he kisses her on the lips. I search for Viper. He’s at the bar. He tosses back a shot before he comes over wearing one of his charming grins. I don’t miss the heat in his eyes as they greedily feast on my body. His lust-filled gaze pins me in place. It’s enough for me to overheat with desire.
He stands and moves behind me, snaking his arms over my hips and bringing me flush against him. His fingers dig in… his head lowers to my ear… his breath flutters on my ear and neck. “How am I going to last the evening with you looking like this?” His voice is low and seductive.
Triumph flares inside me as I slowly turn in his grip. I loop my arms around his neck and whisper, “You’re not supposed to.”
“Are you two going to make it to the resort?”
I’d know that smartass voice anywhere. I giggle as I shift, bringing my arms down and stepping out of Viper’s hold to peek at Axle. “We will because your friend”—I stare Viper down before finishing—“won’t have sex with his wife.”
Axle’s mouth is on the floor. Cash and Rage’s eyes flash wide.Yeah, that’s right…At least I’m not the only one surprised by Viper’s sudden abstinence.
Viper shakes his head, avoiding eye contact with everyone else but looking from me to Zara to Bomber. “Who’s driving?”
“I am,” Bomber replies.
I sway my hips all the way to the truck. Viper opens the door for me. The gentlemanly act makes me smile. He holds his hand out, and I grasp it as he helps me get up and into the back seat. When the truck moves down the driveway, I sense Viper’s intense stare, and when I turn to him, his focus is on my dress.
He reaches out to touch the edge of the fabric near my knees. Pinching the material between his fingers, he slowly brings it up my thigh, grazing my leg, making me shiver. His fingers ever so gently move my dress up and make their way to the top of my thigh. His eyebrows draw in as he pulls my dress up higher. He groans when he reaches the point where my stockings are linked to lacy suspenders, then his mouth clamps together and his jaw clenches.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, feigning innocence.
He pulls on the stockings and they spring back into place. His hand slides higher, making my breath quicken. His heated eyes penetrate mine. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
I can’t wait for him to see the crotchless underwear I’m wearing.His hand firmly grasps my thigh, and his body stays rigid the rest of the way.
