If only he knew it’s fear shaking me like a leaf, not arousal. I don’t want his grubby hand anywhere near me, let alone three inches from the hem of my dress.
The door behind us opens with a click, rattling a wave of relief through me as Archibald’s hand twitches away.
“That was close,” he whispers in my ear.
“There you are.” My father’s voice breaches the warm evening air. “I’ve been looking all over for you.”
I jump to my unstable feet, wobbling on five-inch heels. “I’m sorry, Dad, I—”
“It’s my fault,” Archibald cuts in, turning to look at my father. “We lost track of time, Gideon. She’s an extraordinary woman, your daughter.”
I look over my shoulder, where my father nods, his features soft, almost proud. He’s a great actor. “That she is. Could you give us a second, Blair? We have business to discuss.”
I rise to my feet, holding my empty glass. “I’ll grab another drink. Would you like anything?”
“Whiskey, if you don’t mind, sweetheart,” Archibald says, his hot gaze stalking my every move.
With a tight nod, I retreat inside, tugging my dress down every three steps and avoiding eye contact with all the men I pass.
Now that Dad’s taken over, I’ll be okay.
Going on the track record of these banquets, as soon as my father starts talking business, I’m off the hook.
My job is done. Just a few nights of crying myself to sleep left. I’ll be fine.
I’m alwaysfine.
I head into the restroom, splashing my face with cold water. My phone is on silent, but I check the screen, hoping I’ll see a reply from Cody in reply to what I sent before my father picked me up:Text me after your brothers leave.They have another bachelor-party-planning session tonight. The last one ahead of the party weekend.
We’ve been over the line since the shower incident two weeks ago. We talk about things we aren’t supposed to, kiss during the deed, kiss when we’re parting ways, and... I fell asleep in his bed the other night when he took a quick shower.
I woke up around four in the morning, entangled in his arms, his t-shirt clinging to my body. A t-shirt he must’ve gently slipped over my head after I nodded off because I was naked when he left me in bed.
I panicked and snuck out, worried the atmosphere would be awkward in the morning. Cody didn’t mention it or explain why he’d let me sleep in his bed, and I was afraid to ask.
Unfortunately, there’s no messages waiting on the screen. It’s almost ten, so Cody’s either still with his brothers, or not in the mood for sex. I tuck my phone away, focusing on the task at hand as I exit the restroom, heading to the bar.
Like a well-behaved, obedient daughter, I order Archibald and my father a drink, deliver them outside, then sit at the bar with a neat whiskey in hand, my mind racing.
“You look like you don’t want to be here,” the bartender says, resting his elbows on the counter. “And like you hate whiskey.”
“I don’t usually drink whiskey,” I admit, swirling the amber liquid in the glass.
“I’ll get you something better.”
He whips out the shaker, pouring, shaking, adding, mixing, pouring again, until a tall green cocktail glass stands before me.
It’s tangy with a sweet kick, and I smile for the first time since entering the room over an hour ago. “Thank you.”
He moves away to serve an older woman with short, bright red hair, but once he’s done, he comes over to chat.
I wish I could just sneak out, but I know better than to make the same mistake twice. Disobedience will cost dearly, so instead, I spend an hour and a half talking to the bartender whenever he’s not serving.
But just as he’s about to start mixing me another drink, my father arrives, a storm cloud over his head.
“We’re leaving,” he seethes through gritted teeth, gripping my elbow to yank me up.
“Is everything okay? Did—”
