Quickly, I click a button on the remote. Her body twitches once, twice, before her knees give out. Clutching her firmly at the hips, I rise, my joints cracking as I stand. She slumps into me, breathing heavily, and I wrap my arms around her.
Soon, her breathing and heart rate even out and she’s giggling into my chest.
“What’s so funny?”
She only shakes her head.
Stepping back, I hold her up by her shoulders. Her dress slipped down slightly during our interlude, revealing the top of her nipples. As much as I’d like to hang out with them, I adjust the fabric so she’s covered. We are in public, after all. Someone could walk in at any moment.
As if reading my mind, she straightens her dress over her hips and thighs and huffs. “I can’t believe I just didthat.”
I snag a paper towel from an open container on the shelf and wipe my mouth, then stuff it into my pocket with her panties.
Angling into her, I tuck her hair behind her ear. “It was so fucking hot.”
A grin full of pride spreads across her face as she moves in closer to kiss me. She slips her tongue between my lips, and we share the taste of her. I love how she doesn’t shy away from something so salacious.
“We should probably get back out there before they realize we’re missing.” Sighing, she points to the bulge in my pants. “We’ll, um…take care of that later?”
“Oh, I fully intend to.” I chuckle, adjusting myself.
I motion for her to leave first. When she slips into the restroom at the end of the hall, I make my way back to the gathering.
Back at the VIP booth, Millie and Ezra are rehydrating with champagne.
“There you are!” my sister calls, yanking me in for a hug.
Shit. Worried she’ll smell Claire on my breath, I locate the closest flute and chug back the bubbly liquid. I regret it immediately, because now my chest feels like it may explode.
With a fist, I beat against my sternum and let out a burp as I do my best to pretend like I didn’t just face-fuck my sister’s friend.
Guilt wraps itself around my heart. Dammit. This is Millie’s night. Am I slacking in the big-brother department?
“I’m really happy for you.” I tip my empty glass in her direction, praying it’s not bad luck.
She smiles contemplatively. “I know you are, Ash.”
Later in the evening, my mom proudly sobs beside me as Ezra serenades his bride on stage. Blessedly, she’s not the type to bring up the topic of marriage with me at a time like this. She simplysqueezes my arm and kisses me on the cheek, unspoken words passing between us.
Claire and I stick around, ensuring we don’t miss anything too important. I didn’t get to spend much time with my folks, but tonight wasn’t about me. When I tell them good night, my father says, “What do you think about us taking Dolly for a couple of nights at the end of the month?”
Without a second thought, I reply, “Actually, do you think you could take her for the week?”
Beside him, Mom perks up. “A week? Are you feeling all right? I’ve begged you for years to let us keep her for an entire week. What’s changed?” She presses the back of her hand against my forehead, dramatically checking for a fever.
I swat her hand away. “I’m fine. The guys are coming up to the camp, and it would be a nice break.”
“Mimi and Papa would love to,” she says with enough glee to land a job at Disney World.
“Great. She’ll be so excited.” Though not as elated as me.
While my sister and her new husband are having the time of their lives on the dance floor, we pull an Irish goodbye. Not that they’ll even notice.
The second I step into Claire’s suite, I work open the buttons of my shirt. “Mind if I shower?” Summers in the city are stifling, plus I want to wash away the club grime.
“Go for it,” she replies, leading me down the hall to her bedroom.
She switches on the shower, then closes the pocket door to the restroom behind her. Once I’ve stripped out of my clothes, Istep inside and sit on the tiled bench. I must thank whoever invented the shower chair when I get to heaven.
