Page 17 of Foolish Games

“Because that’s what you call a party,” the girl in his arms says, tipping her head toward the hotel behind me and cracking a grin.

“What do you call a party?” I ask.

More laughter follows, and the last of the smokers finishes his cigarette and tosses the butt to the curb.

“I’d show you, but I told your brother I’d keep my hands to myself,” Sebastian says, giving me a slow, sexy once-over.

“You think I can’t hang with you?” I ask.

“Nope,” he says, pushing off the railing. “Let’s go, boys. We got a kitchen to clean. And I’ve got a princess to escort back to the ball before they come looking and accuse us of something.”

“I can’t go back there,” I say quickly when he takes my elbow and guides me back through the door. We step into the darkened dining room, faintly lit by the open doors to the hall. Soft moans and deep grunts come from the shadows in the far corner, and my face heats.

“Well, you can’t stay here,” Sebastian says, ignoring the noises. “We got shit to do.”

The couple in the corner quiets, though we can still hear their panting breaths.

A familiar voice echoes down the hallway outside the dining room. “Vivienne!”

My heart does a little flip, though I’m not sure if it’s happiness that Chaz came after me or fear that he’ll find me. I’m not sure I’m ready for the conversation we’ll have, not sure what I want to come from it. I need time to think. I stiffen in Sebastian’s hold, and he relents when I plant my heels.

“Hide me,” I say impulsively.

“What?”

“Hide me,” I repeat. “I don’t want to talk to him.”

“Uh-uh,” Sebastian says, shaking his head. “No way. You’re not going to use us to hide from your little boyfriend when you need us, and then get us in trouble because Little Miss Perfect can’t handle things on the wild side.”

Outside, I hear Krissy’s annoying, high pitched giggle. “She’s got to be here somewhere. Oh, Vi-iv, where are you?”

My blood goes cold.

“I can handle it,” I say, turning to Sebastian and searching his bright green eyes. “Please. I’ll—I’ll help clean the kitchen.”

He snorts. “You really think we need help from some pampered princess who’s never gotten her hands dirty in her life?”

“Please,” I say again, seizing his hand and stepping around him when I hear their voices nearing the dining room. I can’t believe he brought Krissy to help look for me when he knows I was already upset about their relationship. Did he tell her what I said, bring her along so she could assure me nothing happened? I’m seething with embarrassment at the thought, with hurt and anger at Chaz. The last thing I want right now is to have to face either of them.

“Please,” I beg. “Help me, Sebastian. I won’t get in the way, and I won’t say anything to anyone. Just don’t make me go back out there.”

“We’re going to a party afterwards,” he says. “And not this kind of party.”

“Then take me,” I say. “I can handle it. I’m not a goody-girl. I’ll never tell a soul anything that happens tonight. I swear.”

I catch a glimpse of Chaz and Krissy passing the open doorways and shrink behind Sebastian. A little smirk tugs at the corner of his mouth.

“Vivienne!” The voice is loud, right outside the door. If they look in, they’ll see us.

Sebastian grabs my hand and darts toward the kitchen, pushing me against the wall and flattening his back against me when a frame fills the doorway.

“She’s not in here,” Krissy says, turning away without looking at the back wall. He attention is caught by a soft whimper the Montgomery girl lets out in the back corner.

“Unless…”

“Get out,” Jacob barks, the sharp command in his voice reminding me that he’s not such a sweet flirt to everyone.

“Sorry,” Krissy says with a nervous giggle, ducking back into the hall.

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