Page 122 of Not A Whisper

I reach out, needing to touch him to make sure he’s real. Because how the hell did I end up with this guy?

Well, blackmailing for a start, but other than that—it feels like a damn miracle. All that longing from a distance for over a year? It’s all come to life, and that simply doesn’t happen to a woman like me.

Carefully, I straighten his tie then place my hands flat against his chest.

“You know, we could skip this thing and I can have fun peeling every layer off…” I offer, raising a brow as I meet his gaze.

Those stunning hazel eyes darken, his smile sharpens. “Think you’re going to get out of this dinner tonight with some flirting?”

Boldly, I reach down and cup his dick. Jason flinches before falling into soft laughter.

“Who said anything about flirting? I’m more than happy to get straight to the good part.”

“Well, if you’re up to it…” Jason swoops down and plants a kiss on my lips. Before I get a chance to respond, an exasperated sigh comes from the doorway.

“We don’t have time to play with our doll,” a voice drawls. Jason and I break away to look over toward the door. Dressed in a similar tux that’s just as perfectly tailored as Jason’s, Grant stands there adjusting the sleeves. He gives us a disapproving glare before his eyes settle solely on me. The look melts away as his gaze heats up. “Maybe if you’re good, dollface, we’ll play later.”

My hand falls away from Jason’s stiffening dick. He sighs; the sound is playfully forlorn.

“Must you ruin all the fun?” he demands.

“When it comes to being on time to events like this, yes.”

“Are you ready yet?” Trip demands from somewhere else in the apartment. “Car’s here!”

Grant calls back, “We’re coming. Dollface, you good?”

I nod, reaching down to grab my shawl and silver clutch that holds my phone and makeup. “Yup, just doing one last check.”

Jason snatches my shawl, switches it over to his other hand, then weaves his fingers through mine. I follow him and Grant out of the bedroom and into the main living space of my apartment. There, Trip stands waiting for us.

My heart trips, stumbling over itself, at the sight of my bad boy all dolled up.

Holy shit.

Standing stiff with his hands in his pants pocket, mouth in a tight line, and brows knitted with annoyance, Trip couldn’t look more uncomfortable standing there in his tux. But while he clearly isn’t a fan of dressing up, my mouth won’t stop watering. With the collar of his shirt undone and his tie loosened, the tattoos along the base of his neck stick out. The stark contrast between a refined gentleman and bad boy does something to me. Thank goodness I don’t have panties on, otherwise they would be soaked.

“About damn time,” he grumbles, glowering at Grant and Jason. His annoyance doesn’t fade when he looks at me. In fact, his gaze darkens and his jaw clenches tight. “Christ, dollface. You don’t haveanythingelse you can wear?”

A sharp pang of embarrassment and shock causes my body to stiffen. Years of insecurities boil up and for a fraction of a second, I can’t breathe. Just as quickly as all that comes, it ebbs away as amusement takes its place. We had this same conversation not all that long ago. I laugh.

“We don’t have time for you to rip this dress off me, so workreallyhard to keep your fists to yourself tonight to keep from heading to jail.”

Trip’s mouth twitches like he might smile. He doesn’t though. “Don’t fucking make eye contact with anyone and Imightbe able to keep my head on.”

“Seems like a reasonable request, Trip,” Grant mutters, turning to face me while simultaneously reaching into the inside pocket of his tux. “Before we go, we have something for you.”

Unease twists my stomach. Given that this surprise could beanything, I’m not sure if I want it. I don’t realize I’ve stiffened until Jason playfully bumps me with his shoulder.

“Relax.”

“Easy for you to say,” I mutter. “I don’t upend your life every time you turn around.”

“Naw, you just gave us one big flip,” Jason agrees, unbothered.

Grant's hand reappears, his fist wrapped around something. “You’re a Gipson, dollface, so remember that when people look down their noses at you.”

“Something they will most certainly do,” Jason assures me as he lets go of my hand to straighten his jacket. “I’ve been to two of these things before and you would’ve thought, by the way people were looking at me, that I was one of the animals I’m learning to take care of rather than a person. Don’t take any of it too personally.”

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