Page 159 of Heir

Did he think alcohol would cloud my judgment and put me in danger? Probably. His lack of faith in my being able to protect myself was insulting. But I normally didn’t drink, anyway.

But especially after last night.

“Okay.”

He hummed with satisfaction. “Good girl.”

He slowly tugged on one nipple, then moved to the other and gave it the same treatment before he pulled me off the counter. He turned me around and smacked my ass. I glared back at him.

He winked and smiled.

I shook my head as I pulled off the dress, though I was smiling as I went into the walk-in closet.

* * *

I lookedat Kai shyly in the driver’s seat before I leaned over and kissed him on his cheek.

“Thank you for driving me here. I’ll see you soon.”

I didn’t wait for his response. I opened the car and got out.

I looked back at Kai once more before I closed the door.

He was looking at me with a strange expression, touching the spot on his cheek where I had just kissed.

He had been quiet on the drive over here, and I didn’t know what to make of it. I would have thought he was angry at me had he not clasped my hand on his lap the whole ride over.

And he’d opted to drive his car, which was disappointing.

I waved at him and closed the door.

Blue was waiting for me inside the restaurant, and I found him seated right away.

He stood up when I drew near and engulfed me in his warm embrace.

I had really missed my best friend.

So much so, I could feel tears stinging my eyes as I breathed in his familiar scent.

“Hey, baby girl.” He pulled away and looked at me, frowning a bit. “What’s this?”

I wiped away the tears from my eyes with my arm and smiled brightly at him. “Sorry. I don’t know why I am so emotional lately.”

His eyes softened. “Well, you’ve been through a lot. No one would blame you for that.”

I shot him a grateful look. Blue was always on my side, no matter what.

When my mom made me feel crazy for resenting her treatment of me, Blue was the one who’d talked me through it, telling me that my reactions and emotions were sane.

I was aware gaslighting existed, and it was easy for other people to fall victim to it, but it was even more so with me because of how easily I got confused by my own emotions.

We sat down in the booth, Blue across from me. He ran his eyes over my face. “How are you doing?”

I nodded. “Good.”

“Is he treating you well?”

“You mean Kai?”

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