Page 16 of Prettiest Little Thief
Chapter Nine
Lucas
If I truly thought Monroe wouldn’t be a distraction, I was proven wrong tonight. She was devastating in the red gown she wore, slices of supple flesh on display. Her brown eyes and lengthy tresses of chocolate hair only added to her alluring beauty. Men and women at the masquerade all stared as we strode to the bar to get our drinks.
My jaw clenched as I noticed the wandering eyes of some of the male attention she received, leaning in close to their comrades, whispering and grinning. There was no doubt the sight of my date made their cocks hard.
While I tried to keep my eyes leveled on her face, I found it hard to let her escape my touches. Every caress made it harder and harder to keep my thoughts platonic.
There have been plenty of beautiful women who kept me company over the years, but this… Monroe Whitlock was intoxicating. How did the woman who destroyed my McLaren become someone who captivated me?
It wasn’t entirely her beauty that entranced me. I paid attention when she was with Fox, listening to their conversations and the laughs they shared. That easiness the two of them had sent a swirling storm of jealousy over me. It drove me crazy, and I couldn’t understand why just a feeling would overwhelm meconcerning someone I hardly knew. Her teasing and innocent way of thinking threw me for a loop.
How did a car thief have such a kind heart? Such a beguiling smile and laugh?
Monroe wasn’t a hardened criminal. Which led me to question how she became a felon.
After her fourth shot, Monroe straightened her back, faced the room, and glanced around. She plucked an hors d'oeuvre from a platter as a server passed by, popping it into her mouth, her lush lips pursing as she rolled her eyes. “Oh my god. What was that?”
My smile grew as she searched for another server. “I believe that was canapés saumon fumé.” I took a sip of my drink as I watched her over the rim.
“You boujie people know how to throw a party.” She flagged down the waiter, grabbing several more from the tray.
Just as she had taken a bite, two men stalked toward us with predatory eyes. I was familiar with them, and if they’d remembered our previous encounters, they wouldn’t be checking out Monroe so hungrily. Their masks didn’t hide their eyes well enough for that.
“Lucas Knight, please, introduce us to your date,” Benjamin said. His pudgy face alone made me want to punch him.
“I’m Roe,” she waved, seemingly too into her snack to give them a proper greeting.
It didn’t deter them one bit. The other, Brian, stepped forward, grabbing her hand and trying to place a kiss atop it. “Roe,” he mumbled.
Much to my surprise, she pulled her hand from his grasp before his saliva-coated lips could make contact. “Charmed. I’m sure, but as you can see gentleman, I’m busy. With my date.” Shethrew a thumb in my direction, “and my…” She glanced at me for the name of her hors d'oeuvre.
“Canapés saumon fumé,” I supplied. A big grin pulled at my lips at her dismissal of Benjamin and Brian.
“What he said.” She gave a bright smile, and the two of them ruffled in annoyance at her lack of attention. Even after rejection, they still stood in front of us like the dimwits they are.
“You heard her, gentlemen, and I use that term lightly. She’s busy.”
They both grunted and stomped off. A laugh worked its way up my throat. It was full-bellied and real. Monroe turned to glare at my unexpected outburst of laughter, looking at me as if I had grown a second head. Even the other guests nearby stopped their conversations and inspected me curiously. I was never one to show much emotion in public, straight faced and unreadable was my go-to.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“You. I thought I was going to have to beat the shit out of them to get them away from you, but you handled it perfectly.”
She shrugged. “Never come between a woman and her snacks.”
“I’m sure they never saw it coming. Come on, let me introduce you to some people I actually enjoy the company of. If you’re done eating, of course,” I said.
“I am.” She brushed her hands off and looped her arm in mine.
Her touch nudged something awake deep inside of me, and my heart thudded in my chest as a frown crossed my face, not sure of how to feel about the closeness and pleasure I received from it. Not just physically but the feeling it sent swelling through me.
Happiness.Intrigue.
I shook my head, trying to loosen the thoughts.
“You all right?” Monroe asked. Her eyes peered up at me from beneath thick lashes, the golden mask doing nothing to cover the concern in her whiskey eyes.
