Page 62 of Then Came You

"Nah, Lovisa is just as good," she waves off, confidently owning her choice of earrings. "Everything turned out spectacular. The room looks gorgeous." She scans the room, taking in the glamour. Yet, it's nothing compared to her. I throw her a dazzling smile, unable to hide just how much she's affecting me. "Blade, we should probably get ready for the shave."

You didn’t have to ask me twice. I practically leap to her side.

"Let's go." I glance down at her, giddy that it will be just us soon.

"But…But" Cindy sputters, flustered.

"Catch you all later," Row tosses over her shoulder, gliding in front of me. I nod to Zee and scamper after her. I hear the click of her heels clacking on the floor. Red. Bottom. Soles.

What I wouldn’t give to have her naked, wearing only those shoes.

Placing my hand strategically on her back, dangerously close to her ass, I lean in. "You’re killing me, Tink." I feel her shiver when my breath hits her neck. She peeks up at me, her hazelnut eyes shimmering.

"It should be illegal, you wearing a suit." She licks her goddamn lips and I’m seconds away from pressing my mouth to hers.

"I can get naked if you’d like?"

"Behave, mister." Her hand slaps my chest as she laughs. I catch it, strumming my thumb over the pulse on her wrist.

"Baby girl, if you wanted me to behave, then you should have thought about looking so damn fuckable. I’m out of my mind. I don’t know how much more restraint I have left. Now, be a good girl and distract me from dragging you upstairs to your room and filling you with my cock, which I’ve been aching to do since the day I met you."

All employees and volunteers involved in tonight’s event have been provided accommodations for the evening - a little extra thank you for their generosity and hard work.

Twirling around so she's facing me, I see the shock splashed across her face. Faster than lightning, her mouth quirks up in a mischievous grin. As she leans up on her tiptoes, my heart accelerates at her closeness. "I'm not wearing any underwear." Her omission causes me to stumble back. She laughs sashaying away, my eyes drawn to the giant bow on her dress that reminds me of a wedding train.

I compose myself enough to make it through most of the evening. Throughout the night, I don’t miss how Cindy shoots Row an evil glare or how Avalon takes every opportunity to introduce herself as my wife. I also don't miss how I haven't been able to take my eyes off Row long enough to not pick up on these subtleties.

"Stop being a hawk." Alex leans in so only I can hear.

"What?" I snap, cricking my neck in the process.

"You're eye-fucking the hell out of Tink. Stop." He nods towards Row, who is animatedly chatting with her sister and Syd. She's beaming. It's a sight to behold.

"Am not."

"You are. She's gorgeous. We get it. Every guy gets it." I grit my teeth so hard I'm going to have to visit the dentist on Monday. "But between her bitchy friend and your ex-wife, you're going to get caught," he continues. I hear his warning. I know I should listen. But to me, they're just words.

"I just wish she could be mine." My shoulders droop, and my heart sags at the revelation that it's an impossible dream.

He pats my back in condolence. "I know, mate…but she can't. You need to cut her loose and move on, or man up and talk to Zee."

Both options are just as bad as each other. Zee didn't bat an eyelid when I told him I "broke" up with the woman I was seeing, but something tells me he would never understand if it was Row. Plus, he explicitly told Row and Cindy I was off limits.

My eyes sweep over her one last time, before I commit to squeezing more money from the people here tonight. However, I almost wretch when I see Zee guiding Row onto the dance floor. Some slow Ed Sheeran song is playing, making my heart lurch at Zee holding her close to his chest. I know they're just friends, but it burns me that I can't be the one holding her.

I need some fresh air.

♥?

I've been pacing back and forth down the corridor of Row’s floor for the past 15 minutes, contemplating my next move. At this point, the soles of my shoes are going to scuff the carpet.

The ball ended shortly before midnight. I hugged and shook the hands of each guest, thanking them for their time and generosity.

After speaking with Alex, my conscience took over. How could I betray my own son? With a guilt-ridden mind, I dismissed Row from the ball without a second glance. I watched her scurry off, confused by my mixed signals.

I want her. I can’t have her, so I should stay away. I want her. I can’t have her because I’ll be betraying my son. Back and forth, back and forth. I don’t know what I should do, but I do know what I want.

Before my mind races further, I'm pounding on her door like a madman. The bang is so loud it reverberates under my fist. I hear her muttering a ‘what the’, her angelic voice coming closer. Yanking the door open, I can see she’s dismayed to see me. Her luscious lips part but no words come out. Forcing my way through, I need to tell her everything that has been bubbling inside me for months.

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