Page 145 of Vengeful Princess

Elaine slumped a little in her chair.

I gave no shits about exams, but Elaine didn’t know that. Hell, she didn’t know the first thing about me other than the fact I was apparently willing to fuck her. Thanks to Kyril, I had a plan to get around that, but first, I needed to endure the bitch's company for a bit longer.

The drunker she got, the better it was for me.

Two or three more drinks and I’d suggest we head up to her room. I’d rather she paw me in private than in public. It was less embarrassing.

Thankfully, she’d chosen a more discreet table, one partially screened by a large palm plant. Only the server paid attention to us. Everyone else in the bar this evening was too busy minding their business to pay much attention to a middle-aged cougar and her much younger boy toy.

I sipped my drink slowly while Elaine waffled on about shit I cared nothing about. Music tinkled in the background, conversation ebbed and flowed.

The bar had filled up since we’d taken a seat, busy hosting well-dressed men and women. Some enjoying post-work drinks. Others sharing a quiet glass of wine with a companion. Thankfully, I’d not seen any familiar faces. Although Cassian was due to arrive at some point.

Eventually, the conversation moved on to the annual whiskey awards. Elaine slyly mentioned how the results of this year’s judging were very much still in the air, with the judges undecided.

The unspoken threat being that if I didn’t play ball, Rothmore distillery wouldn’t win. But I already knew that. Elaine wasn’t stupid. She was here because she wanted to pretend she still had the looks to attract a guy like me. A guy she could manipulate and coerce into doing what she wanted.

My father thought that keeping her sweet would help us win the award again, but I wasn’t so convinced. Elaine had become greedy. The promise of sexual favors was no longer enough anymore. Elaine knew I’d fuck her. We’d played this game for the last three years.

After another glass of gin had loosened her tongue, she finally got around to admitting how she wanted things to progress.

“I feel like you and I understand each other, Landon,” she purred in my ear while stroking my thigh.

“I feel the same way, Elaine,” I replied, shooting her a flirtatious smile. We were both playing a game here.

“So I was thinking, darling, it would be fun to continue this little arrangement.” I observed her bloodshot eyes and sallow skin. A sudden vision of waking up next to her in 10 years, after the last flush of youth had finally faded, caused me to shudder.

“Continue?” I repeated, playing dumb, wishing I had another drink. Something stronger. I should have ordered absinthe instead of Scotch.

“Yes, darling,” she rasped, moving her fingers higher until they rested against my balls, which promptly shriveled up and disappeared inside my body. Not that she noticed. From the glassy look in her eyes, the alcohol in her blood had finally hit her hard.

Thank fuck. It was almost time to put my plan into action and get out of here. Once I had taken care of this bitch, I planned to hang with Cass and relax.

Elaine leaned into me. Her breath washed over me, the sourness causing my nose to wrinkle, but I forced a smile.

“What did you have in mind, Elaine?” I rested my palm over hers, preventing her from fondling me, but she took it as a sign of affection and smiled back.

“I spend a lot of time in London, so it would be lovely if we could meet up more often. Have dinner, attend the opera, all very discreetly, of course.”

“So I’d be your toyboy?” I clarified, trying not to laugh. Was she for real? Why would I need a sugar mama? My family was wealthy. I wasn’t short of money. And if I wanted pussy, I’d choose a young, gorgeous woman like Thea, not a dried-up old crone like Elaine Jordan.

“What we have doesn’t need a label, darling. Consider it a mutually beneficial arrangement.”

“I’ll definitely consider your offer,” I said, squeezing her hand. “Perhaps we should discuss it more in your room? Where it’s more comfortable.” Using my free hand, I leaned in and traced a path down her neck, lingering on her exposed cleavage. She shivered with delight, her pupils blown with lust.

Seeing how badly she wanted me made me feel sick. Did the woman have no shame? I was the same age as her youngest son, for fuck’s sake.

“Yes, let’s get upstairs,” she said. For one horrible moment, I thought she was going to kiss me, but she managed to control herself. I watched as she stood and smoothed her dress down, wobbling a little.

Resting one hand on my shoulder, she said, “Here, take my keycard. Room 412. You head up first while I freshen up. It will look less suspicious that way.”

I nodded, letting my fingers brush hers as I took the card and then hurried toward the elevator, eager to escape the cougar’s claws.

78

Thea

30 minutes earlier

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