Page 169 of Indecent Obsession
“Flower, if you have an itch to scratch, brush your nose and I’ll whisk you away to satisfy you.” He kisses my shoulder, sending a rush of sparks through me.
Drew chuckles. “We still have to pick up your dates.”
Wyatt glances down at the floor. Dante shakes his head. Finn sighs. None of them want to be with these other women tonight. Mission accomplished. Now to make them regret it.
Drew leads me out of the apartment and onto the elevator. The others follow us. Everything inside me is tense with anticipation, waiting for any of them to make a move. To touch me.
Drew’s hand remains on my low back right above the dress. His thumb caresses my skin.
“I promise not to ruin your dress until later, princess.” His words are low, but the elevator is quiet, and he’s not exactly hiding them from the others. “But I might have to buy you ten more of these as compensation for this one’s demise.”
Wyatt releases a harsh breath. The elevator opens and he leads the charge past the doorman, who holds the door open for all of us. He tips his head to me with a smile as I pass.
The limousine they hired for the evening is parked at the curb. A gentleman in black stands holding the door open for us. Drew offers me his hand as I duck to enter.
He waits for me to arrange my skirt before he slides in next to me. “Good, princess?”
I smile and nod as the others climb in and sit on the other seats. This won’t be easy, but at least I’ll feel sexy doing it. They’ll know what they’re coming home to.
The car pulls away. Finn’s gaze remains on me, taking in every inch. I turn and see both Wyatt and Dante watching me. I touch my necklace, feeling like prey.
I don’t hate it.
“We’re picking up Nancy first.” Dante runs a finger under his collar. “She’s a business associate’s daughter, so we’re looking to make a good impression before we pick up Wyatt’s date.”
I swallow, thinking about Verity and how long it’s been since we had to actually talk. We obviously see each other out in society, but it’s easy to avoid someone at most of these events. But not if they’re the date of one of your escorts.
“Do we know anything about Nancy?” I just want something to take my mind off Verity.
Dante’s gaze holds mine. “She doesn’t usually attend events like this. Her father wants her to get out more.”
“So we could be dealing with just about anything here?” I sigh, wishing I could have brought Hope or Kayla or Madison or all of them. “She could be bitchy and never gets invited out. Boring and never gets invited out. A loner and doesn’t want to go out, but her father is forcing her to.”
“Or she could be a diamond in the rough who just needs someone to make her shine,” Drew offers. His hand holds mine on his lap.
I narrow my eyes at him. “How so?”
“Not every girl is born into this. I’m fortunate that I was young when my parents entered society. I grew up with it. Even if it was still a struggle.” Drew brings my hand up and presses a kiss to my knuckles. “They could be new money. Being seen on the arm of someone like Dante with an established family name could be good for her reputation and get her more invites.”
“As long as she isn’t catty, we’ll be fine.” Dante glances out the window.
Part of me longs to go to him. To slide onto his lap and draw his lips down to mine. Press my forehead against his and breathe him in. I don’t know how often he’s had to do something like this. Hold some debutant’s hand to make her shine a little brighter.
The limo stops and Dante climbs out. His hand brushes against mine and our eyes lock. It doesn’t matter who he’s taking to the fundraiser tonight. The only one he wants is me. A tiny thrill goes through me.
I should tamp it down. This is temporary. These men. The sex. The lust. The want. It all goes away when this ends. A shiver of dread sweeps through me, but that, I tamp down. I’ll take every thrill I can find. Every spark they give me until the light finally goes out.
Dante
Drew’s words echo in my ears. He’s not wrong. How many dates did my uncle use me for during high school and college? Fifty? A hundred? I don’t know. I lost count.
It was the least I could do after he took my mother and me in. The least.
I shake that off because, right now, I have to deal with this for my company. My business this time. Taking a deep breath, I ring the doorbell and straighten my cuffs.
The door opens and a small woman holds it for me. She’s in her fifties and dressed like someone who works here. She can’t be my date. I step into the entryway. The marble floor snaps under my heels.
A throat clears to my right and I turn. A woman around Sara’s age with brown hair and brown eyes stands there. She’s been primped with hair and makeup to look natural. Her dress is silver with a strapless corset bodice and a ball gown skirt.
