I don’t like her saying that—no, it actually pisses me off. What the hell does she think this is supposed to be?
“What did it feel like to you last night, when I was deep inside you, hmm?” I whisper darkly in her ear. She shivers slightly but turns her head to look at me.
“It felt so good that I want it again, Nicolas,” she breathes, closing her eyes briefly as I stroke her cheek. “But that’s the problem. It was just sex, and we don’t even like each other,” she explains, and I laugh softly.
“Oh, last night I liked you a lot, Goldilocks. You can believe that.” I kiss her gently but immediately pull back.
“Let’s take it one step at a time, okay? Get to know each other, and then we’ll see what happens. Deal?” I study her intently. She’s already nodding and then gives me that smile, the one I’d kill for anytime.
“Deal.”
By now,it’s deep into the night, and I’m sitting in our ballroom, where we headed after the banquet. The walls are lined with dozens of candle holders and mirrors, which make the space look even larger than it already is.
Only a small circle of guests remains; most of the older crowd has already retired, my parents among them.
The chandeliers have been dimmed, colorful lights now sweep across the room, and the DJ has switched to livelier tracks for dancing. Amelia is giggling with Lizzy, and it’s obvious that neither of them is still sober.
“She looks relaxed.” Damien sits down next to me, and I shoot him a quick glance from the side.
“Yes, she does. Probably because it's the first time she actually is,” I reply, continuing to watch my wife. I could watch her for hours, and I have to admit, she’s pretty entertaining when she’s drunk. So completely uninhibited.
“I’m sorry, Nic. I…wenever meant to hurt you. Never. But I was so afraid it would ruin our friendship, and I was a coward. I mean, knowing someone is gay is one thing, but actually seeing it with your best friend and your own brother, that’s just different.”
A sharp pain hits my chest. How scared must Damien have been, if he thought I’d judge him or see him in a different light because of this?
“I would’ve been genuinely happy for you and Phil. Dammit, Dam, I’m your best friend. Do you think I care whether you like to fuck pussies or asses?” He flinches at my crude words and looks at me with such remorse and sadness that the pain in my chest only intensifies.
“No, I mean… I wasn’t sure,” he admits quietly, and ouch, that hurts.
“It makes no difference. None at all. That’s why it hurts like hell that you both, you three…” My gaze drifts back to my wife and I freeze. Damien follows my gaze, and beside me, I hear a sharp, “Oh shit!”
Within seconds I’m on my feet, but Damien holds me back.
“Let her handle it. She needs to stand up for herself, especially in front of a snake like Sarah, who still thinks she has a claim on you just because she fucked you a few times.”
“I still don’t get why you ever slept with her. She’s annoying and dumb,” Cedric throws in smugly and earns himself my middle finger. “If that bitch is dumb enough to go after your WIFE at your wedding, especially with your sister around… sorry, bro, then she’s asking for it.” A dirty grin spreads across his face, and I wonder how well he actually knows Amelia, because he clearly suspects what’s coming.
Whereas I have no idea.
Ced claps me reassuringly on the shoulder, sensing how tense I am, while I keep my eyes locked on my wife. Sarah deliberately collided with Amelia, drenching her dress in champagne, and now she’s out for payback.
I haven’t been able to hear what they were saying, but now Sarah’s voice rings through the room.
“You filthy bitch.”
Before I can react, Amelia’s head jerks to the side, because that stupid bitch just slapped her hard.
Fuck.
My nostrils flare and I clench my jaw tightly.
She’s going to pay for that.
“Okay, maybe now you should step in,” Ced comments dryly, but I’m already on the move. Security starts to intervene, but I wave them off. This is my job. I’ll handle my wife and that bitch myself.
“You stupid bitch, how dare you talk to me like that? I was meant for Nicolas, and just because he had to marry you after you killed his brother doesn’t mean you can get away with everything. You scheming, dumb bitch!”
Lizzy looks ready to jump between them with a murderous glare, but Amelia is faster. Without any warning, she lunges at Sarah, grabs her by the hair, and drags her to the ground.
