‘Yes, let’s go convince some asshole we’re in love.’
As we step from the car, it’s obvious there’s a party in full swing behind the front doors. The noise levels aren’t that of a sorority shindig or a rave, but something a little more grown-up. A little more gentile. Music plays, laughter drifting out of the open windows, and the scent of cigar smoke passes on a breeze.
‘I thought we were here for dinner.’ I glance down at my clothes. My wedding heels, cigarette pants, and a high-necked shirt with blousy sleeves cinched at the wrist. My hair is piled on top of my head still, though with a little more panache than earlier. I’m not wearing a great deal of makeup because sex with Beckett leaves me with a weird kind of glow. ‘I’m so not dressed for a party.’
‘I didn’t realise we’d been invited to one.’
‘Beckett,’ I almost hiss, pulling on his hand. ‘I can’t go into a party dressed like this.’ I fan my hand in front of me, even as the certainty of his response occurs to me.
‘You’ve spent the day wearing the T-shirt dress equivalent of theEmperor’s New Clothes.I’m pretty sure you can pull off a shirt and pants while making out you’re dressed in sequins.’
I wouldn’t be at all surprised to learn that when he smiles that wicked half smile, the effect is the result of the devil that sits on his shoulder using a hook.
Bastard.
‘Listen.’ I pull on Beckett’s hand, forcing him to stop again. ‘I want you to know I’m going to try my very best to sell this marriage tonight, but I have to tell you—’
‘You’re not a great actress?’
‘So you finally decided to listen?’ I slide my clutch higher under my arm, my hip cocked immediately.
‘Tell me, given you’re a terrible actress, did you plan to seduce me in the kitchen earlier as a way to fool our host?’
‘What?’ I feel my expression twist. ‘How does that even make sense? It’s not like we had sex in their kitchen.’
‘We could try it. Do you think it’d help?’
‘Ha. So funny,’ I reply snarkily.
‘Come on.’ He wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling my side into his. ‘All I was trying to say is you’re much more agreeable after sex. Very tactile, and not at all like your usual hedgehog self.’
‘Watch it.’ As quick as a flash, I pull out my clutch and hit him with it square in the stomach. ‘The spikes are easy to reemploy.’
‘Spines, darling.’ He chuckles. ‘Hedgehogs don’t have spikes, they have spines.’
‘Whatever. The answer is still the same. One false move and I’ll be a pain in your ass. But in answer to your question, no, I didn’tplan to seduce you,’ I affect a deep tone and add in little air quotes for good measure, ‘as a way to make up for my lack of acting skills.’ I don’t think.Did I?No, I didn’t. ‘I think the sad truth of it is, annoying you gets me off.’
Beckett’s deep burst of laughter is all white teeth and deep baritone. And kind of astounding. ‘That is probably the most honest thing you’ve ever said to me.’
‘I’m honest all of the time.’
‘A different kind of honesty,’ he suggests, placing a kiss to the top of my head. ‘And it makes so much sense. Now, let’s get this show on the road. Who knows what or who might be lurking behind those curtains, waiting to catch us out.’
‘I’ll try my best, but Ifeel like I’m going to struggle,’ I grumble as we make our way along a gravelled path with lush green topiary leading the way to the double front doors of the house. ‘He played me, and that makes me angry. I hate that I hung so much hope on my pitch, yet to him, it was nothing. I was an amusing way to spend an hour, and that’s all. A plaything. Well, fuck him and his rich dick privilege.’Not to be confused with big dick energy.I expect his energy is more pencil dick because anyone who treats another with such disregard has to be lacking something.
‘Is that how you think of me?’ We slow to a stop, and Beckett slowly turns to face me. ‘Do you think I’ve used my position? Forced you into yours?’
‘Yes.’ My answer is immediate. ‘But you’ve been candid from the beginning.’ With the exception of his initial drip feed of information.
I want you to help me get JBW.
I want you to help me get JBW by marrying me.
I want you to help me get JBW by marrying me. And by having sex with me.
‘I knew exactly what you wanted.’ Eventually. ‘And why. And also what you were willing to give in return. And you don’t knowingly get into bed with the devil and expect him to turn into an angel overnight. But that man. I just can’t put it into words how—’
‘I understand.’ Beckett’s large hand tightens on my shoulder. ‘But what’s done is done, and it’s brought us here, and this night is very important.Veryimportant.’
