Page 57 of King of Envy

If they only knew how irrelevant this conversation was to my current sex life. Jordan could be the world’s best or worst lover, and I’d have no idea. We hadn’t done more than kiss for appearance’s sake…and we were getting married in a month.

My amusement sobered at the thought of five years of celibacy. I couldn’t bring myself to entertain the idea of an extramarital affair, not even a husband-sanctioned one, but…

No buts. This is what you signed up for. It’s too late to second-guess yourself now.

“You know what you need?” Indira leaned forward. “You need to spice up your sex life. When you gettoocomfortable, that’s a problem too. Try a threesome.”

“You shouldn’t be encouraging her to bring a third party into the bedroom during her bachelorette,” Sloane said. “But I agree with spicing things up. Try having sex somewhere forbidden like his office.”

“Orbring out the props,” Liya said. “Like handcuffs or nipple clamps.”

I almost choked on my drink. “Liya.”

“Don’t ‘Liya’ me. I’ve been married for ten years. If we didn’t find ways to keep things interesting, we’d die of boredom.”

“Ain’t that the truth.” Kim cackled. “I knew a drinking game would be a good idea. That being said, check with Jordan before you go crazy on sextoys.com. He doesn’t look like the type of man who’d be down for handcuffsornipple clamps.”

“He does scream ‘soft and gentle,’” Liya mused. “There’s nothing wrong with that, but that’s not the type that’s usually super adventurous in the sack.”

“Looks can be deceiving.” Sloane’s cheeks were flushed a deep pink. The margaritas had gotten to her. “According to one of my friends, it’s the quiet ones you have to watch out for.”

“Oh, I believe it. You know who fits that description?” A sly smile spread across Indira’s face. “Vuk Markovic.”

This time, I really did choke. I erupted into coughs as tequila and lime juice shot up my nose.

I recovered as quickly as I could, but my eyes were still watering when the rest of the party zeroed in on Vuk’s name.

“Who’s that again?” Kim asked. “The name sounds familiar.”

“Jordan’s best man.” Indira pulled something up on her phone and handed it to the stylist.

“Ohhh. Nowthatlooks like a man who can fuck shit up.” Kim’s eyes twinkled. “Just my type.”

“You’re married to an accountant,” I said.

“You ever seen an accountant during tax season?” she countered. “They can be scary.”

“Oh, come on, Ayana.” Indira nudged my leg with her foot. “You can’t tell me you aren’t curious about Vuk. He has that hideous scar, but it kinda adds to his appeal. Danger is sexy.”

I bristled at the wordhideousand resisted the sudden urge to throttle one of my few friends in the city. “I haven’t thought about him in that way at all,” I said stiffly. “I’m engaged. Remember?”

How did we end up here? I hadn’t signed up to discuss Vuk’s sex life this evening—or ever. In fact, the less I thought about him, the better.

“So? That doesn’t make you a nun. Besides, I bet even a nun would have unholy thoughts about that man.” Indira sighed. “Say what you will about his face, but that body? Whew. Anyway, that’s what doggy style is for, or I can turn the lights off when we’re having sex. If he didn’t have those scars, he’d be really hot, but I wouldn’t want to look at his face when I’m about to come, you know?”

Blood rushed to my face and neck. A strange ringing sounded in my ears as my hands curled around the edge of my seat. Instinct told me not to touch my fork or knife lest I end the night in jail for murder.

“There’s nothing wrong with his scars.” The bite in my voice was so scathing it surprised even me. “They add character.”

“Yeah.” Indira gave me a strange look. “That’s what I said.”

“You did?—”

“Let’s move on.” Sloane swiftly interjected. “Our escape room is in half an hour, so we should head out soon. I’ll get the server.”

We paid and left the restaurant. I hung back from the group, flushed and irritable from our last conversation topic. The ringing had faded, but my heart continued to pound.

Who was Indira to talk about Vuk like he was a zoo animal? Would she like it if someone said they’d turn the lights off before sex so they wouldn’t have to look at her face? No. It was…it was rude and despicable and plainwrongto talk about people like that.

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