“I saw her earlier. She was carrying a massive box,” Mylene says, exhaling hard. “Said something about reorganizing her stockroom before the new shipment buries her alive.” She glances toward the doors. “She looked a bit of a mess, she probably wanted to clean up before she joined us.”
The words are barely out of her mouth before the lobby doors sweep open again, and there she is.
And I forget how to breathe.
Sadie strides in like she owns the place, wearing a black dress that skims her thighs. Her hair is loose, the copper spilling over her shoulders. The early evening sunlight catches it through the doorway, making it almost look like she’s on fire.
Autumn spots her first, of course. “Finally! We were about to send out a search party.”
But I’m not paying attention to my sister. I’m too mesmerized by the click of Sadie’s heels sharp against the marble floor.
My mouth dries as I imagine her trying to run from me in those shoes. I’d catch her in seconds. And I’d make her fucking delighted I did.
There’s a murmur of laughter from across the way. A cluster of businessmen near the concierge desk glance over.
They’re all staring at her. At the way her dress clings to her perfect curves. My jaw tightens.
None of them would know what to do with her. They’d take her to dinner, maybe buy her flowers, and still never figure out how to touch her the way she needs. How to make her gasp and arch and lose that careful control she wears like armor.
How to make her come with a slide of their fingers, because she needs to feel like she’s worth catching.
She takes a spot next to Mylene, ignoring the smiles of one of the guys who seems intent on capturing her attention. She’s oblivious to the chaos she’s causing, and it turns me on even more.
“Wow, you look great,” Jesse says to her. I grit my teeth. “What’s got you all dressed up?” he asks.
Sadie gives him a soft smile. “I thought I might stay and have a drink in the bar after this. It’s Friday night, time to let my hair down.”
“It’s already down,” I say, under my breath. Why the fuck am I so annoyed by this? She’s a free woman, after all. She’s entitled to do whatever the hell she likes.
“If you’re looking for a date, I’m happy to volunteer as tribute,” Bennett says, and I immediately forget that I like the kid that West and Eden have practically adopted.
“Are you even allowed to buy alcohol?” I ask him sharply. The tone of my voice makes Sadie’s brows raise.
“I’m over twenty-one,” he says shrugging. “So yeah.”
“Just,” Autumn adds with a wince. “That’s a night I’ll never forget.”
“So I can definitely buy you a drink,” Bennett says to Sadie. “If you need a chaperone or anything.”
“I think you have to be older than twelve to chaperone,” I mutter tightly.
Sadie’s eyes crinkle. “You’re very sweet,” she tells him, ignoring me. “But I think I’ll be okay on my own. It’s not as though Liberty’s full of danger. What’s the worst that could happen?”
Her gaze slides to mine.
Autumn claps her hands together before anybody can reply.
“Okay, children,” she says. “As much as I’m loving us all planning Sadie’s night out, we need to focus. We’re here to organize a gala, not run her love life.”
My sister starts issuing instructions as we follow her into the ballroom, where Andrea, the front of house manager is waiting for us with her iPad. I fall into step beside Sadie and she glances up at me, her expression politely blank, like she hasn’t been under my skin for days.
“You planning to glare at me through the entire event?” she asks under her breath.
“I’m just worried about you falling in those heels,” I murmur back. “I know you have a problem being steady on your feet.”
Her head tilts. “I’m absolutely fine on my feet, thank you very much.”
Yeah, she is. She’s more than fine. She’s delectable.
