Page 91 of Unleashing Chaos

“I know,” she says, fighting to keep a straight face.

We reach the restaurant and file inside. The host greets Matt by name and leads us through the dining room to a booth in a quiet corner. Other than a few meticulously placed lights in the ceiling, the restaurant is illuminated by candlelight. Oil lamps hang from the walls, their light dancing across the crystals of the chandeliers. Our table is dressed in a black cloth with white napkins folded beside polished silverware. This is the kind of place where you need an in to get a table.

I start to sit so I can scoot in toward the wall, but Desi stops me.

“Wait, let me.”

“But you’re wearing—”

“I know, but I’m left-handed, remember?” She winks at me, and my entire body heats. “If I sit on the other side of you, we’ll bump elbows all night.”

“Fine, go ahead,” I say, stepping aside.

After we all get settled, we peruse the menu as Matt orders wine for the table. Desi leans over and whispers, “Are you sure about this place? These prices . . . everything you’ve done for this trip has been so extravagant. I can help pay if you need me to.”

“This meal is on Matt. He insisted, so order what you like. And trust me when I tell you that he can afford it. And even if he weren’t paying, neither would you.” I slide my hand over the top of her leg and brush my thumb over her thigh.

She shifts in her seat, and I swear, she spreads her legs just enough to allow me to slide my hand higher if I want to. And of course, I do. “All right, then,” she says, her voice a little wobbly.

I behave for a few minutes, simply toying with the hem of her dress with my pinkie, sweeping against her skin every few seconds. But the more she shifts under my touch, the higher her skirt rides, and my fingers follow. I’m desperate to touch her, desperate to know if she’s as wet for me as I’m hard for her.

This has been fun and all, teasing her with the little touches while at dinner in a public place, but I didn’t think this all the way through . . . didn’t count on the consequences for myself. That if I were to have to stand up right now, I’d be really embarrassed.

But I can’t help myself. I slide my hand up another inch and glide my pinkie over the center of her black lace panties to find her soaked.

I glance at her, and she’s politely listening to Matt and Edmonds talk about the newest Illustrator update. Her chin rests on her knuckles and her lips are tucked between her teeth. God, her neck and chest are so pretty when they’re flushed. I’m getting to her. Good. I want her to be as starved for me as I am for her by the time we leave this table.

I rejoin the conversation like I never left, but I keep up the steady back and forth of my fingertip over her panties, and to her credit, she doesn’t bat an eye. But I know Desi, and she is going to be ready to strangle me by the time we get out of here.

“Desi?” Matt asks, and I realize it’s the second time he’s said her name. I press my pinkie harder against her center, and she nearly drops her fork, shooting me a glare that’s more of an aroused, pleading stare. I tilt my head toward Matt and her face heats as she turns to him.

“Oh, sorry, I was so zoned out. Just thinking about how good this risotto is,” she says, lying through her teeth. My touch grows bolder, stroking her harder over the lace.

Matt laughs and takes a sip of wine. “Fair enough. I was just wondering what it is you do. I don’t think Jace ever told us.”

“Oh, I’m sort of in between gigs right now. Just taking some time to figure out what I really want. I have a position in my father’s company, but I wanted to take some time to explore my options first before I take it.”

“Smart. You’re young and have time to make up your mind. I’m sure Jace will eventually need someone to keep him organized with all the accounts coming in. It could be beneficial to work together.”

“I don’t know about that.” I trace the leg of her panties. “You know what they say about mixing business with pleasure. Desi would be a distraction for sure.”

The distraction in question reaches for her glass of wine but finds it empty, then snatches mine and downs it. “You’re a distraction yourself, mister,” she manages as my finger hooks inside her underwear and grazes her wet skin.

I pull away, satisfied with how much I’ve frustrated her. “Far be it from me to distract you,” I say. I don’t know what’s gotten into me, but I lift my hand to my mouth, pretending to swipe away something at the corner, slipping the wet tip of my finger between my lips.

I just tasted her at this table in front of everyone, and now I don’t think my dick could be any harder. I really did not think this through.

It’s probably good that when I slide my hand back onto her thigh she’s crossed one leg over the other, denying me access. I pinch the skin on the side of her knee playfully, and she bats her eyelashes at me, saying, “Don’t worry, I won’t distract you back at the hotel if you have some work you need to get done.”

Matt clears his throat with a hand over his mouth, and he and Bryce exchange an amused glance. When he moves his hand, his lips are curved into a knowing smile. “Are you two okay? Do you need a minute?”

“I’m perfectly content. Desi, do you need a minute?”

She flashes me a bright smile. “I’m one hundred percent good to go. I’m good for the rest of the night, in fact. I’ll take another drink, if you don’t mind,” she announces, holding up her wine glass.

Oh. She’s either really not amused or she’s just giving me a hard time. I’m going to try to go 2–0 against my anxiety today and hope I didn’t just royally screw things up.

“Far be it for me to deny the queen her wine,” Matt says.

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