Page 33 of Where We Fall

"It's also important to make sure you don't rush it, or worse, force yourself to settle down with the wrong person just for the sake of appearances," Lexi says with a challenging tone.

What the hell have I done to deserve her loyalty? Not a damn thing, but here she is…giving it.

"Leave them alone, William. They're obviously in love." Kathryn swats at her husband's arm. "We're going to let you two get back to the auction. That is, after all, the reason we are all here."

We say our goodbyes then William and Kathryn walk away.

As soon as they're gone, the muscles in my body begin to soften as I feel my shoulders droop down.

"How do you think that went? I'm so sorry for what I said to him. Do you think he felt like it was out of line?" Lexi asks sounding panicked.

"You were perfect."

I kiss her temple. Shit, that wasn't even for appearances, it just came naturally to me.

We walk down the rest of the tables, settling on some bids for a spa basket and some aged bourbon and whiskey.

"Okay, I need to eat something," she says after we put in our last bid.

I laugh. "Come on, this way."

I lead her to the finger foods where she promptly fills up her plate with two of everything. I follow her lead, doing the same. One, because I'm hungry. Two, because I don't want her feeling bad about eating more than me. I'm pretty sure women are sensitive about that shit.

"How'd it go?" Mia asks as she joins us with her own plate of food.

Lexi shrugs her shoulders. "No offense, but the guy is a total dick. But I think it went fine."

Mia looks surprised by Lexi's words. I throw a stuffed mushroom in my mouth and smile, feeling proud of Lexi's bold statement.

"What did he say?" Mia asks.

"He basically asked for the dates of our relationship to make sure it didn't coincide with when Marcus was here with that other girl. What kind of prick does that to people he doesn't even know? He also made it seem like people who aren't married and settled down early are commitment phobic. The nerve of him."

I scoot in closer to Lexi, and bring my hand to her back, trying to ignore the reaction of my body.

"Don't worry, my beautiful girlfriend here stood up for me."

"Oh?" Mia asks surprised.

"No, no. It wasn't like that." Lexi begins to panic. "I was polite. It just bothered me so much that he was being so rude to Marcus. In the end, I think he believed us. His wife sure does."

Mia laughs. "Don't worry Lexi. That guy has some nerve putting us in this position in the first place. I hate that we have to bend over backwards to kiss his ass. I don't blame you for being pissed. Speaking as a single adult approaching thirty myself, I take offense to his comment too."

After we finish our food, we wander over to the bar where I order some wine. Somewhere along the way, we lost Mia. Gabe and Luke are off networking. I'm normally taking advantage of these events, but tonight I don't seem to care. I'm enjoying my time with Lexi.

Chapter Eleven

Lexi

Ifeelhishandsnake around my waist again—I've lost count of how many times.

I'm not sure if he's playing up the act or if it's real. It feels real. My body responds every damn time. When his hand drags up and down the length of my back. my body feels like an inferno.

Something about the way he does it so absentmindedly makes it feel real. What hasn't helped are the two glasses of wine that I've had. It's lowered my inhibitions. Now, all I want to do is touch him back. I want to feel those muscles that were wrapped around me this morning.

"Care to dance?" he whispers.

I look out at the dance floor and see several couples swaying slowly in front of the band while they play Sinatra.

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