“Yeah,” Nathan nodded, signing his form and handing it to the young guy staffing the table. “There are sometimes at these kinds of gatherings. You can request not to be included if it bothers you. Everyone here tonight signed one of these, and no one wants to be blackballed from invitation lists, so you don’t have to worry about it being leaked anywhere.”
I blew out a breath and signed the form, turning back toward the large living space. It was very modern in comparison to the traditional façade of the house; the interior looked to have been updated recently.
Nathan grasped my hand and followed Emory and Talia toward the bar on the other side of the room, gesturing with a raised eyebrow. “Can I get you anything?”
“No. Well, maybe just water. Gotta keep my intake up.” I winked as he smirked and shook his head at me.
“Never thought I’d find someone so excited about hydration. You’re the quickest coffee addict I’ve ever seen jump ship to water without hesitation.”
“What can I say?” I laughed, leaning my head against his arm. “Proper hydration is sexy.”
“I think you just like it that I cum more when I’m hydrated,” he whispered.
“What a coincidence,” I murmured, using his tie to pull him closer. “So do I.”
His lips grazed my ear as he wrapped his arm around my back, squeezing my hip. “We’ll make a squirter out of you yet, sunshine. Drink up.”
“Mmm, sounds like someone is talking a big game.”
“If we didn’t have plans for later, we could start practicing tonight. I almost had you there once before. I can do it again.” He nipped my ear, lowering his voice even further. “And again…and again.”
Looking up at him, I still couldn’t believe he was mine. Bringing my free hand up my neck, I nervously ran my thumb across the pendant hanging from my collar. “If you’re not ready for later…”
Nathan shook his head slightly, leaning down so his lips caressed my earlobe. “I’m ready. I wouldn’t have agreed to it if I didn’t trust you and want to share it with you. We talked through it. I’m prepared.”
“Just,” I sighed, taking a deep breath. “I don’t want you to feel pressured because I wanted to try it.”
“While I truly appreciate the concern and that you value enthusiastic consent as I do, I promise I’m ready. If this plug in my ass is any indication, I should be in for a wild ride later.”
“I can’t wait to ride you.”
Nathan chuckled at the blush that rose to my cheeks at my impulsive statement, his thumb slowly traversing the warm skin before he leaned down and kissed my temple.
“Let’s enjoy the party first. We’ve got plenty of time for you to play with my ass later,” he chuckled.
I nodded, holding his gaze while his fingers traced down the sleeve of my dress suggestively and the rest of my arm, grasping my hand, interlacing our fingers.
A throat clearing broke the intense stare. Our slightly intimidating host, Grayson, stood beside us with a woman nestled closely behind him. The only indication she was with him was the small feminine hand wrapped around his bicep, a sizable diamond sparkling on her ring finger.
“Nathan, I’m sorry to interrupt, but I’d like to request a moment of your time in a more private setting.”
Nathan glanced toward me briefly with a look of confusion before he responded. “Is there something wrong?”
Grayson leaned in closer, his voice quiet. “My fiancée would like to speak with you, and I thought you’d both like some privacy. You’re welcome to bring your guest if you’d like.”
Before Nathan could respond, the woman standing behind Grayson shifted, and Nathan’s hand tightened against mine as her face came into view.
“Excuse me,” Nathan said gruffly before he tugged me a few paces away.
Emory and Talia joined us moments later, staring at Grayson and his mysterious fiancée. I still felt at a loss, but clearly, they knew who she was. And gauging the situation by their slightly distressed expressions, this was not a happy discussion.
“Did you know he was engaged to her?“ Nathan hissed at Emory, his expression angry.
“No idea, I promise,” Emory responded as he pulled Talia into his side. “I knew he had a pregnant fiancée, but definitely didn’t know the Missi he kept talking about was Marisa.”
“I’m sorry I insisted we come tonight,” Talia sighed, and Emory pulled her in closer and kissed her temple.
“I don’t think any of us knew this was a ruse for her to get me alone,” Nathan responded, looking over my shoulder, his face pained. I knew pieces of what had gone down with his ex, but maybe this would be a way for him to put his anger about the situation out of his mind for good.