Page 8 of The Bourbon Bride

“You should go,” he grits out, barely loosening his hold. “I’m not accustomed to denying myself what I want, but I’m not about to tarnish your exquisite innocence.” The words are formal, but the gravelly tone of his voice speaks to my soul, wanting him to make good on that hint of a threat. Or promise.

But he’s right. I should go. I’m in way over my head with a man like him and wouldn’t know the first thing about pleasing him, even if he could easily steal my innocence and have me wrapped around his every whim. I swallow hard and force myself to let him go in a rush, like pulling off a bandage.

His arms slide down my back and linger on my hips a moment before he steps back and his touch is gone.

The world is bitter cold after having felt the dark inferno of him against me.

four

Paige

Hayesshowsmetheprivate elevator from his apartment to the club below and without so much as a polite kiss on my cheek, he presses the button and allows the doors to close between us. The magic of the hour or so I just spent with him dissipates when the elevator doors open back into my reality. I wander into the foyer of the club, finding my bag and refreshing my lipstick in a mirror before I gather the courage to face the party, and Mama, once again.

“Where have you been?” Mama hisses when she spots me re-entering the party.

“I needed a breather; I was feeling a little warm and overwhelmed.”

Her eyes narrow and I bet she can smell the hint of cigar and man on me. I raise my chin defiantly, not wanting her to know or shame me for discovering a dark indulgence I was unaware I need so badly in my life. She would forbid me to ever see him again if she knew where I was. Not that I’ll ever actually have the opportunity to spend time with Hayes again, but she would rule it out anyway.

“Well, it’s about time you got back. There are plenty of people who want to talk to you and I’ve been making excuses for your untimely absence. Don’t do it again,” she warns, her hand grasping my arm. She looks down. “Child, where are your gloves?” she chastises and I feel every bit the little girl she invokes.

“It was warm, so I put them in my bag,” I say, the half-truth easily sliding out in reply. I’ve learned it’s often easier to give Mama a little white lie than the whole truth. She doesn’t want to hear it, anyway.

She clicks her tongue at me and straightens up as we begin moving into the crowd. “No debutante should be without gloves, but I guess this will have to do,” she says under her breath.

My heart hammers as she pulls me from one self-important person to another, forcing me to make small talk and keep a polite smile on my face as they congratulate me on entering society.

“Ah, there she is! This is quite the party. Welcome to society my dear,” Mayor Declan says, pulling me into a hug that’s a little too tight. He’s obviously enjoyed the champagne and free-flowing liquor.

I fight the urge to roll my eyes and smile at him prettily instead. This party really doesn’t signify a life change the way he insists. Maybe it would have in the 1800s when a young woman had to be presented as marriage material, but in the twenty-first century, we hardly need this antiquated tradition.

“Thank you for attending,” I reply, my spine ramrod straight and my face smooth and pleasant. “I don’t think we could touch the beautiful event you threw for Margot last month. It was simply stunning.” It was a very nice event, though Mama ensured we would upstage even that one tonight.

“Oh, Mayor, my apologies, I simply must keep Paige moving. It was such a pleasure to have you join us tonight. We are honored,” Mama coos.

“Of course, of course. There’s no end to your duties tonight, right ladies?” he says, laughing at his own comment.

“We will have you and Catherine over for dinner soon. It really has been too long,” Mama says as she once again takes me by the elbow to steer me away, the right people to talk to already mapped in her calculating little brain to make up for my missing hour.

We are nearly to the Prestons, some of Mama and Daddy’s friends from the country club, when we’re stopped by a voice I was hoping to avoid for the entirety of this evening.

“There she is, the belle of the hour. About time you made your rounds after your little disappearing act.”

I stiffen and wipe every trace of emotion from my expression before Mama turns me to face Garrison Daniels. It’s been years since I’ve had to talk to him or be within a few feet of him. Up close he’s just as cruelly handsome as he was in high school, though he looks worse for wear, bloated and tired.

It’s like I’m transported back to my freshman year anytime I have to really look at him. Back when he had first shown me interest, I was thrilled. How had I, a lowly freshman, caught the attention of the hot senior? It wasn’t until that stupid party that I realized his motives were self-serving and toxic and I wasn’t special at all. I learned a hard lesson at his hands, and I vowed never to make that same mistake again. For seven years I have avoided boys and dating so I wouldn’t be a victim to someone just like Garrison Daniels.

“It’s been a long time. You’re looking real good, sugar.”

I cringe at the smarmy pet name he has no right to call me.

“You look”—I pause, surveying the slight paunch pushing the buttons of his tuxedo jacket to their brink—“like life has been full of decadence.” I carefully tuck double meaning into my words like a true Southerner. We’re born with the ability to simultaneously compliment and critique with a smile on our faces. Just take the phrasebless your heart. It means you’re a sweet idiot but sounds so cute, no one can fault you for it.

I feel Mama’s hand tighten on my elbow and know she’s not happy with me.

“Garrison, we’ve missed you around Savannah. It’s so nice to have you home where you belong. I’m sure your parents are so happy. Did I hear your daddy saying you went to law school?” Mama likely knows every answer to any question she could ask him, as she enjoys gossiping with the other parents in her social circle.

He turns to Mama, indulging her. “I just passed the bar, actually. I have a job with Dupree, Athena, and Fisk that I’m starting in the new year.”

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