Page 131 of Not A Whisper

“Later, I’m going to collect on that dessert.”

With false bravado, I snort softly and reply, “Don’t count on it.”

The flash of his teeth as he grins tells me that I’ve just given him a wonderful challenge. In my other ear, Jason whispers,

“Whatever Grant’s having, I am too.”

“If you think I can doanythingafter what we’ve done in the car, you’re sorely mistaken.” I grimace. “I’m already sore.”

Jason’s dimples spring to life in response. His smile is short-lived, however, as he glances toward the door.

“I’ll be back, let me know how much our place earns.” Jason gets up and weaves through the tables without another word.

By the time bidding is over, a future stay at the guy’s ranch goes for a whopping quarter of a million dollars. As they move to the next item, I lean toward Grant who bends his head so I can whisper into his ear.

“Is that normal? Compared to everything else so far, that feels like a lot of money.”

He smirks. “It is, but it appears no one can resist seeing what we’re all about.”

Grant’s right. Most of the other bids don’t get nearly that high. Even a stay at Garry’s ranch doesn’t creep close to the ending bid of theirs. I’m not the only one who’s noticed this. Murmurs around the room behind hands and the intensifying feeling of eyes bearing down on us makes it hard to sit still. Itdoesn’t help that Jason hasn’t returned. At least with Grant on one side and Jason on the other, I felt more at ease.

By the time the lights come up and the auction ends, I’m more anxious now than I was when we first walked into the room. I don’t look over at Garry, but I can feel his gaze rake over the three of us as we stand.

“They’re going to bring the band out and there will be talking, dancing, and desserts now,” Grant explains to Trip and I. “We need to shake a few more hands and then we can dip out of here.”

“Let’s make this quick,” Trip mutters, coming up on my other side where Jason had been most of the night. “My lips are getting chapped from how much ass kissing I’ve debased myself with already.”

Both Grant and I laugh despite the seriousness in Trip’s words.

Grant laughs. “This is just the start of it. Might as well get used to it.”

Thirty-Two

“How do you feel about dancing?” I ask Trip as I reach for my second glass of wine for the evening.

I’m pretty proud of myself. Limiting my alcohol intake in a setting like this is difficult. But I don’t want to come off as sloppy. Acting my best and staying sharp around Garry and his world feels like the best move this evening. But I can only do so much without at least alittleliquid courage.

“I would rather chew rocks,” Trip replies grimly.

We both eye the dance floor. Most couples sway side to side, doing the infamous two-step you see at a middle school dance. There are a few, however, that are out there, cutting up the dance floor actually dancing.

“Oh come on, I’ll lead,” I tease gently. “I’m bored just standing around.”

A flicker of dark amusement flickers across his face as he looks down at me. “I’m sure we can find other ways to entertain ourselves."

Heat blossoms under my cheeks. I can only imagine what he would do with me if he got me alone. Despite the achebetween my legs, my thighs press together as my body warms with excitement.

"People will wonder whywe'rewandering off together."

"We've been together all night."

I make a face. "That's different and you know it."

Trip opens his mouth to respond but then his gaze drifts to just beside me and tightens. I turn to see who's caught his eyes. Coming toward us is a young woman in her early twenties. Her blonde hair cascades over a dainty shoulder, her striking blue eyes emphasized by fake lashes and makeup, and her thin lips are painted with a soft dusty pink. As she stops in front of me, I'm quite aware of Grant's ex-fiancée's perfect figure in her turquoise dress and the extra height she has on me.

The smile she gives me seems friendly enough, but like her mother, her gaze is sharp and speculating.

"Finally, I've managed to pull myself away from my parents’ friends to come meet Grant's..." Her voice trails off in a drawl as she gives me a slow, unimpressed up and down appraisal, "wife. My mother said you were older, but I wasn't expecting... Well, in any case, I'm Carmilla."

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