Page 78 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

“Two shots of whiskey and two red wines, please.”

The bartender nods once and walks off to retrieve our drinks.

Sutton drops his mouth to my ear. “He wants to fuck you.” I shiver at his crass language. “And it’s because of this dress, you know. All the beautiful skin you’re showing off.”

“I’ve worn this dress before.”

“And like a fool, I didn’t notice you then,” he says.

His fingers play against the exposed skin where my gown dips dangerously low in the back. He leans closer, and I can feel his breath on my neck.

“He’s not the only one who wants you.”

I turn my head toward him, our lips nearly brushing. “And he’s not the one I want to fuck.”

Sutton’s eyes darken with my words. With a gulp, he takes a step back before either one of us does something crazy in a room full of people.

The bartender delivers our shots, and we down them. For nearly forty-five minutes, we exist in our own little bubble, laughing and sharing stories about the people we spot in the crowd.

Then, the bubble bursts.

“Fuck,” Sutton mutters, and I look out to where he’s staring.

His father is stalking through the ballroom, heading directly for us.

Instead of waiting for him to approach, Sutton meets him halfway. Not wanting to leave him to deal with this on his own, I follow closely behind.

“Hey, Dad,” he says casually.

“Don’t give me that bullshit. What the fuck are you doing here?” His father’s voice is low and dangerous as he sneers at his son.

I have to give Sutton credit for the smile that fills his face. It almost looks sincere and not sarcastic.

“Donating money to low-income schools. I assume you’re here to steal donors from them?”

“You don’t belong here anymore. You’re no longer part of this world. You’re not welcome.”

“Trust me, I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here, but I’m here as a favor to a friend.”

His father’s eyes flit over Sutton’s shoulder, colliding with mine, and his lip curls in disgust.

“Oh, I see you’re back to fucking the trash, aren’t you?”

My stomach drops at his comment, shocked by his cruelty.

I might not be from money like his family, but I never suspected they see me as trash.

I am not expecting what happens next.

Sutton’s fists curl into his father’s jacket and he tugs him close, bringing their noses so close they’re nearly touching. His father’s eyes widen with surprise, and they dart around the room at the growing crowd.

“Shut your fucking mouth about her,” Sutton seethes. “Or I’ll shut it for you.”

“Are you going to hit me, son? Like you hit your brother?” He shakes his head. “Guess some things never change. Once an embarrassment to this family, always one.”

Sutton laughs darkly. “My brother is a piece of shit just like you are. He deserved that punch, and if I were to hit you, you’d deserve it too. I am fucking done with you treating me like a pawn in your games because I wasn’t born first. You walk around like you’re some fucking king when all you are is a bully. And you know what? I’m done trying to win your approval. I don’t need it, and I don’t need you.”

My heart swells with pride.

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