Page 37 of Thorns of Malice

"My table's right there." She points to the one next to Dax's, then adds, "But it seems like I'm not sitting at the right one."

"We can make room here, right, Dax?" I shoot him a pleading look.

His face hardens. He suspiciously states, "It's been a long time, Lilly."

"Thought it was time to show my face again," she chirps, then glances at me, adding, "But I see I definitely came at the right time if Ivy's here."

His eyes narrow.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "Come on, Dax. Let's have everybody sit at the table. You can kick these other people out, can't you?" I gaze over at the strangers who've started to take their seats.

They shoot me dirty looks. I don't know who they are. They're obviously people with money, but I don't care.

Dax stays silent, studying Lilly.

I lean down into his ear. "Let everybody sit at the table. Please." I put my face in front of his.

He swallows hard, not breaking our gaze.

"Dax is too big of a pussy to let us all sit here," Bobby mutters.

Dax's face hardens. I put my hand on his cheek and then lean over to his other ear, murmuring, "After the event, we can get together and talk, but let everybody sit here. Please? For me?" I beg gently and then graze my lips against his lobe.

He stays frozen for a moment, as if contemplating what to do.

"You don't want to talk to me?" I push.

He glances at the other people at the table, ordering, "Go to other tables."

Their gasps fill the air and anger heats their faces.

An older gentleman hisses, "What's gotten into you, Dax?"

He points to Lilly's table and another table next to him. "There's room at those tables. It's still the front row. Now get the fuck out."

They begrudgingly all get up and leave.

Lilly beams. "Thanks, Dax. It'll be so nice to catch up with Ivy and all of you."

Instead of sitting back down next to Dyer, I select the seat on the other side of Dax and pat the chair next to me. "Lilly, sit here. We have so much to catch up on," I say, knowing I can't take a whole evening of Professor Dyer's hands all over me.

"What are you doing? This is your seat," Dyer states.

I chirp, "It's okay. Bobby can have it. Right, Dax?"

There's a mix of emotions on Dax's face, but it comes and goes so quickly, I'm unsure if I saw it. Then his lips curve. It's twisted, and it sends tingles straight to my pussy. It's a look that always turned me on in the past.

He pulls the chair out. "Yeah, Bobby, sit down."

I point to the other side of Lilly. "Avery, you sit there."

She studies the table.

I turn around and grab her arm. "Come on, Avery. Sit down."

She gives Dax a haughty look.

He gives her one of disgust in return.

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