Page 85 of Sharing Shadow Secrets
“A mocktail,” she says, offering it up. “Want a sip?”
His shoulders visibly loosen as he takes the glass. I think back to him paying for my drinks and us doing shots at this bar and how we’ve shared so much yet nothing at all over the years.
“This is great,” Brandon says after a sip, looking at ease.
“Aaron,” Taylor yells. “One more.”
I squeeze his shoulder. “All good?”
He doesn’t answer me right away. His gaze drifts back to Taylor. “Are you done working?”
“I am,” she says, and something in her voice shifts—flirtier.
He grabs her hand, fingers threading through hers. “Have you talked with Kyle about later?”
“She has,” I cut in. “I’m down.”
Taylor giggles softly, taking a sip of her drink, and Brandon’s eyes linger on her before checking me out.
“Tonight’s about Taylor,” he says, looking right at me.
“Understood,” I say, though my eyes flick down him. They’re both beautiful people, and I’m curious if there will be anything between Brandon and me tonight.
“We’re giving her whatever she wants.”
My eyes lower to the hem of Taylor’s dress. I’m more than happy to give her what she wants.
“She’s the boss,” I quip and reach for her drink, taking it from her hand and setting it on the bar. I step closer to her and grabher other hand in mine. “She’s also a pillow princess.” I lean in close, grazing her ear with my lips. “Do you want me to keep the fangs on?”
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Never—not even in my wildest, filthiest daydreams—did I imagine standing in a bar, holding hands withtwoshirtless, hot men. And certainly did I never think there would be more to follow.
“The fangs stay,” I say with a breathy laugh.
“High Fivers,” Nicholas’s voice blares, reverberating through the speakers, slicing through the moment like a record scratch.
I drop their hands and whip around. Nicholas is standing on the bar, mic in hand. My pulse is still racing from Kyle and Brandon’s touch, and I try to shove the flustered feeling down as I reach for my phone.
Content first, then afterparty.
“It’s time to announce the winners of our costume contest,” he booms. “One individual and one couple will each win a weekend getaway at Chicago’s Spa-Inn.”
I exhale in relief—he remembered to say the hotel's name.
“The winner of the individual category is Avril Lavigne.”
Morgan’s scream cuts through the room. I spot her by the bar, jumping and waving. Nicholas reaches into his Santa pocket, then hands her the prize envelope.
“Now for the couple’s costume …” Nicholas grins. “I think their engagement helped them get extra votes. Congrats Chad and Anna—or should I say Ghostface and Bunny!”
The crowd parts, and then they emerge, in front of Nicholas. He pulls out another envelope from his jacket.
“They were the ones fucking,” Kyle murmurs into my hair. His proximity sends a shiver down my spine, and I giggle nervously, now noticing the fake blood is smeared onto Chad.
“Thank you for celebrating with us tonight,” Nicholas finishes. “We’re open until midnight, so keep partying.”
Brandon steps behind me, slipping an arm around my waist. I immediately feel at ease in his embrace. “You ready for the after party?” he whispers in my ear before placing a teasing kiss on my neck.
