Page 42 of Tempting All The Way

“Well, I’m going home with the hottest chick in the club. I’m pretty damn good, babe.”

She laughs. “Well, whoever she is, you better be prepared to dig her grave because I’m not sharing you, Xavier,” she says.

“She is you, Shardonnay. Don’t pretend you don’t know that.” I nip at her earlobe.

“Thank God.”

“We can go now if you want. I don’t mind.”

Shardonnay shakes her head. “Lucy will be here any minute. I can’t leave before she arrives.”

I groan. Don’t get me wrong, I love my little sister, but fuck is she high-fucking-maintenance. “I don’t understand how you’re best friends with her. You’re like polar opposites.”

“You don’t have to understand it. Just know it’s a fact that won’t ever change,” Shardonnay says.

“I know.” I look across the small room.

We’re sitting on the VIP couches. Nathan and Bentley are opposite us, neither looking like they’re in the partying mood. At least they both know about my relationship with Shardonnay. I don’t have to pretend here. We’re not at the office. Not that Nathan and Alistair haven’t warned me about being seen in public with my secretary, like this, when we’re actively fighting a sexual harassment lawsuit. I don’t give a fuck. What I have withShardonnay isn’t a dirty little secret. I’m fucking proud as punch that she’s mine.

Alistair went to the bathroom about thirty minutes ago. Which isn’t unusual for him. He obviously fell into someone’s welcoming pussy along the way.

“Bentley, let’s dance.” Shardonnay pushes to her feet. “Lucy just walked in. Let’s go meet her.” I go to stand, fully intending on following her to the dance floor, and not because I want to dance. But because I want to make sure no other douchebags try to grind up on my fucking girl. “Nope, girls only. I won’t be long.” Shardonnay blows me a kiss and I sit back down and pout.

My eyes follow them until they reach the stairs that lead to the second floor. I turn and peer over the glass railing beside me. It’s pointless though. I can’t make out shit amongst the crowd.

“Relax, have a drink. She’ll be fine,” Nathan says, right as Alistair slides into the seat next to me.

“Where’d Shar and Bentley disappear to?” he asks.

“They went to dance,” I grunt, picking up the bottle of Scotch from the middle of the table and refilling my glass. I’ve been taking it easy on the drinks. I don’t want to be so intoxicated I won’t be able to look after Shardonnay if she needs anything.

“Well, you two fools need to get over yourselves. I didn’t sign up to be mates with grumpy old fuckers,” Alistair says.

“You’re the oldest one here,” I remind him.

“By a month. So lighten up. The world is not fucking ending.”

“Maybe not for you. Your associate didn’t just quit on you. And why the fuck is she even here? Who invited her?” Nathan asks.

“I did. Figured she needed a night out. She’s been working for your sour ass for a month. Fuck, I’d need a whole fucking brewery if I had to be either of your associates.” Alistair laughs.

“Fuck off,” Nathan throws back at him.

“I’ll be back. Try not to kill each other. I don’t want to deal with the paperwork,” I say as I stand. I don’t like that I can’t see Shardonnay. I know I’ve got fucking issues. I just don’t fucking care.

I’m stopped at the bottom of the stairs by Ash, the owner of this new club. He’s also the cousin of Dominic McKinley and married to Dominic’s other cousin, Breanna. Ash has a heap of nightclubs across the country—Unhinged being one of his latest ventures. “Xavier, you’re the last person I expected to see here.”

“Really, why?” I ask.

“Because you’re old and fucking grumpy.” He laughs. “What do you think of the joint?”

“My girlfriend likes it.” I shrug.

He raises an eyebrow at me. “Your girlfriend? You actually found someone to put up with you?”

“Yep, that one right there.” I point to where Shardonnay is dancing with Lucy and Bentley. My eyes are drawn to the dark shadow looming behind them. “Should I be concerned that your cousin seems to be obsessing over my little sister?” I ask Ash.

“What cousin?” He looks to the dance floor. “Fucking Dom,” he curses, then turns back to me. “His bark is worse than his bite. He wouldn’t hurt a hair on a woman’s head. Trust me.”

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