Page 104 of My Favorite Sin

I oblige my mother and clear out of the way with her and Harper as the crowd disperses. A chair is placed in the center of the dance floor and single men gather around, including all the Blackwood brothers. I get that same smug glance from Dan as before, and laugh in return, grinning back at him.

Jordan sits in the chair, smiling, laughing, and blushing as Daxton kneels in front of her, sliding her dress up herthigh. The look he gives her is so playful yet intimate that I feel like I’m intruding on a private moment of theirs.

The noise at this wedding grows even more hectic as Daxton takes the garter between his teeth and slides it down her leg. He tosses it into the crowd of men without looking and presses his lips to Jordan’s. The kiss is tender, and I can see the two of them laughing against each other’s lips. My God, they are perfection. I could melt from watching how cute they are together.

Mom cheers, so loud in my ear I flinch. She’s not tipsy, I’ve decided, but totally drunk. “The Blackwoods are on fire tonight!”

Scanning the crowd, I search for the man who caught the garter and find it in Felix’s hands. I scoff. Yeah, right, like he’s getting married anytime soon. He’s like Dan used to be, going through women but never having a girlfriend.

The crowd scatters and the celebrations continue with more music and dancing. Mom finally releases me from her grip, busying herself with another guest, letting Harper and me return to the brothers, the four of them gathered around the same barrel table as before.

Dan wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me close to his side. I smile at him, knowing there’d normally be something more between us like a kiss, but that neither of us want to be too affectionate in front of our family. I’m not complaining. We’ve been sneaking around for years and it’s hot thinking about what he’ll do to me when we get our next private moment.

Dan leans in and whispers in my ear, the deep tone of his voice and tickle of his breath sending shivers down my spine and tightening my muscles. “Whatever you’re thinking right now, get that look off your face. We’re inpublic and the last thing I need is those littlefuck meeyes making me hard. Wait until we get back to our room.”

My stomach coils at his words, the tension traveling to my clit. I lick my lips and turn into him, whispering back, “What’s waiting for me in our room?”

Dan’s gaze dips to my mouth. “That ribbon on your dress, wrapped around your waist—I’m going to tie your naked body up in it then strap you to the bed so you’re at my mercy to fuck however I please.”

A gasp slips out of me, aroused by the visual. I clear my throat, attempting to disguise the sound, hoping no one heard. Dan chuckles, his fingers tracing soft swirling patterns at my waist, teasing me.

I try to distract myself with the current conversation at the table, but whatever Harper and the boys are talking about is stilted and tense. It’s all generic chit-chat and one-word answers.

I shrug, trying to bring some humor to the group. “So, Harper and Felix are the next ones to get married.”

Killian doesn’t seem to think anything of my comment, but there’s no missing the way Tyler, Harper, and Felix’s eyes all flick to me.

“I didn’t mean you’d marry each other. Just that?—”

Dan squeezes my waist, quick to whisper in my ear again. “Touchy subject. Don’t say anything else. I’ll explain later.”

Clearly, I’ve put my foot in my mouth. I have no concept of how, unless perhaps Harper wants a proposal from Tyler, but he isn’t keen on getting married. Or the same situation but in reverse.

“Anyone need a new drink?” Tyler asks, the tone of his voice cold. Tyler never seems to be in an overly happy mood, but this is drastic, even for him.

I caused this by joking about marriage?

Dan and Killian take Tyler up on his offer and he leaves the group without another word.

“Harper,” Felix sounds just as cold. “Your boyfriend has a large drink order. You should help him.”

She scowls at Felix, and then she’s gone, mutteringjerkbeneath her breath as she follows Tyler through the crowd. Seriously, what the hell is going on between those three?

Killian is the only one who doesn’t seem aware of the tension, busy texting someone on this phone and grinning at the screen. “Violet says hi.”

“You’re texting Violet?” I ask, perking up. I don’t care what either of them say, there’s definitely something happening between them. “You know, you could have invited her to the wedding as your date.”

“I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, it’s not like that between us.”

“Sure. Whatever. Any romantic prospects for you, Felix?”

He side-eyes me with a look of amusement. “Baby sis, I’m flattered you’re taking an interest in my love life, but it’s non-existent.”

Dan laughs. “No romantic prospects for Felix. Just a lot of sexual prospects.”

The similarities between Dan and Felix resurface in my mind. Dan used to sleep around a lot without committing to anyone, but that was because he only wanted me and I was off limits. I laugh under my breath at the thought of Felix being in the same position, in love with a girl he can’t have.

Yeah, right. As if.