Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
He didn’t even try to hide the flare of lust in his eyes. “You can’t look either,” I told him.
An evil grin touched his lips. “Sure, Gypsi. I’ll be sure to block the view.”
“And you won’t look?”
He winked. “Of course not.”
I tried to turn sideways, while keeping one hand on the back of my dress, trying to hold it down and over my bare bottom without falling into the limo. Once I managed to get in, I slid into the seat closest to me and across from Saxon and Eliza.
Saxon was watching me with concern. My awkward entrance into the limo hadn’t gone unnoticed. I smiled to reassure him that all was well.
Trev climbed in and sat so close to me that his thigh touched mine. He put his arm behind my back on the seat and leaned close to my ear. “Didn’t see a thing,” he whispered just as his hand hung over my shoulder, and he began caressing my upper arm with his thumb.
What was with him and the touching? Drunk Trev was someone I needed to stay away from in the future. I wasn’t sure how much willpower I would have if he kept this up over time.
“What time is it?” he asked Saxon.
“Almost eight,” he replied.
“Ah, perfect timing. We’ve missed an hour. One hour left before we move it to the better party.” Trev’s tone sounded pleased. He leaned back as if he owned the world. “Stop the angry scowling, Eliza. It’s ruining the mood.”
My eyes swung to Saxon, who shook his head with a sigh and turned to look out the window. This night was going to be interesting.
Six
Gypsi
Once we arrived, Trev nodded his head toward the door. “Let them go first, and then I’ll go out before you.” He was offering me a way to get out without worrying over my dress riding up.
Trev waited for me to exit, holding his hand out for me to take. The moment I stepped out, I realized cameras were going off.
Trev kept his hand locked tight on my hip as we walked toward the entrance. Several photographers called out his name, and he pulled me close to his side as he smiled. This could be trouble. I didn’t have time to escape him, and if I did, it could cause a scene I didn’t need. I managed to smile, but the entire situation felt as if I’d been tossed into an alternate universe. When we finally stepped inside, past the media craze, I took a deep breath. That was probably as safe as the pictures I’d had taken with Saxon today. I doubted it was something that would make national news. I hoped not. For both our sakes.
Saxon was alone, waiting on us. I looked around, but didn’t see Eliza anywhere. His gaze met mine.
“Lost your date?” Trev asked him.
“No. I lost yours.”
Trev laughed. “I owe you one.”
Saxon shook his head, looking amused. Trev’s behavior didn’t surprise him or bother him, but then they’d been friends forever. He was used to it. I was the one struggling with the strange swing in his mood.
“Let’s get a drink,” Trev suggested, keeping his hand on me as we walked into the crowd of people.
“Are you going to keep your hand on me all night?” I asked him. “Eliza left. It worked.” And I was mentally exhausted, trying to fight off sexual thoughts about him.
Trev frowned, looking down at me. “My touching you didn’t have shit to do with Eliza. I’m just making sure you don’t leave me to go make friends with another guy. You’re my friend tonight. Sax got you already. It’s my turn.”
I laughed. “I can be both your friends.”
Trev scowled. “I don’t like sharing.” He pointed across the room. “There’re our parents. Want to go say hello?”
“Um, only if you want to,” I replied.
I wasn’t sure how his father felt about him being intoxicated. He was twenty-one years old, but still, I didn’t know their dynamic.
He chuckled. “Yeah, then no. I’d rather not.”
“Trev!” a guy called out in greeting as he walked up to us. “I missed you at the track today. Spent a fucking lot of time in the winner’s circle, as usual.”
“It’s the Hughes way,” Trev replied, clasping the guy’s outstretched hand with the one he didn’t have almost down the back of my dress.
The guy laughed. “No shit,” he replied, and then his eyes shifted to me. “I thought I saw Eliza in the winner’s circle photos with you earlier. Looks like you traded up.”
“Gypsi, this is Xavier. His family owns Lighthouse Stables in Knoxville, Tennessee. They’ve had a former derby winner. Xavier, this is Gypsi, my new friend.”
The guy laughed, then gave me a close inspection. “Since when did you start friend-zoning beautiful women?”
Trev chuckled, but said nothing.
“It’s nice to meet you, Xavier,” I replied, hoping to change the subject.