Page 89 of The Pact

He chuckles. “I’m afraid that I can’t take credit for that. I chose the dress but Shep knew what size we needed to buy. And the shoes too.”

I’m still surprised that one of them would know. “How does Shep—”

“His mom is a personal shopper in that super expensive boutique downtown. You know, Mon Trésor? A couple of summers ago, before we got a few sponsors and my dad to pick up most of our equipment costs, Shep needed a new board. So his mom helped him get a summer job in the men’s department of the store. Obviously he kept lurking around the women’s section, the fucking creep. But that came in handy because he’s really good at guessing sizes.”

These guys are full of surprises. I set the dress down, careful not to make even one crease on the pristine fabric and I turn around in his arms. “It’s the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever seen, Ash. Thank you so much.”

He places a shallow but super soft kiss on my lips, careful not to ruin my carefully applied makeup. “I’m glad you approve of my taste, cutie. And truth be told, while I know that you’ll look spectacular in that dress, I can’t wait to see it later on the floor.”

His voice is so low and warm that it sends a shiver down my spine and a rush of heat between my legs. I look into the silver of his eyes and my desire must be written all over my face because Ash tightens his hold on me, pressing me against his hard body.

“I wish we had time to have our own little party right now, but we don’t want to keep my mother waiting. However,” he says running his lips along my neck, “I want you to think about the after party. Remember how Shep and I made you come twice last time you were in this room? I’m aiming to double that tonight. That motherfucker will be livid when we tell him.”

The mention of the good natured rivalry between him and Shep would make me laugh but the heat in Ash’s eyes say that he’ll keep his promise tonight.

20.

Life’s A Party

Ausra

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WHEN WE DESCEND THE grand staircase that leads into a legit ballroom, the party is already in full swing.

A string quartet offers pleasant background music, waiters in white jackets glide among the elegant guests offering flutes of champagne and canapés and a soft chatter is buzzing around the room.

I lift my gaze to meet Ashton’s, offering him a grateful smile. Everyone is dressed to the nines and in his dress I fit right in. The sweetheart neckline is sexy and yet demure and so is the slit in the front of my dress. It shows just enough leg to stay on the classy side of things. “Thank you for the dress, Ash. I would’ve embarrassed you in the black dress I had on.”

He shakes his head, running a warm hand down on my bare arm and settling it around my waist. “Don’t be ridiculous. You look breathtaking in this dress, Ausra, like a goddess. But you would’ve still been the most beautiful woman in the room even in jeans and a t-shirt.”

His words make me blush, but for once it’s in pleasure, not shyness. “You’re the most handsome guy in the room too,” I say honestly.

He smiles, lowering his head to place a kiss on my temple. “I think we just look perfect together.”

I really have to remind myself that this is a game for the umpteenth time. If I give his words more meaning than they have at face value, my broken heart at the end will be totally on me.

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