Page 46 of Violet

The things I imagined her doing… It had me coming almost instantly. I jerked into my hand, calling her name and letting the knotting swell. The exquisite pleasure of that act filled me, and I knotted and came, hard and long and wild.

It was a sea of release, and I rode it, all the waves, until I was left breathless and more confused than ever.

Today, those dreams haunt me. Even when meeting Pen for drinks and lunch at her place. I’m trying to clear myhead while I’m dodging questions about the damn ball, but the dreams keep coming back.

Me. Violet. Naked. Exploring every inch of each other…

“What are you planning, Stephan?” Pen’s frowning at me from across the table and the vast lunch spread she’s set up for us.

Shaking my head to cleanse it of its dirty thoughts, I clear my throat. “Not a thing. Unless you mean plotting the battle-ax’s demise.”

Pen clucks her tongue. “There’s been a lot of talk about you lately. You and that Gardener girl.” Her dark eyes narrow on me. “Be serious. What are you scheming? She’s pretty. Well-bred. Good family...”

“The Luxe,” I finish for her.

“You do deserve the best, Stephan. And true happiness. Not matter who that’s with,” she says, and I know she’s talking about CeeCee.

Shit. I don’t want to lie to Pen. “I’m thinking of courting her.”

Doesn’t stop me though.

Instead of being pleased, Penrith’s frown gets deeper. “Don’t mess with her if you don’t mean it. I won’t be having that. You can get your thrills with plenty of others, but that girl? She’s a forever mate sort.”

I need to get the fuck out of Dodge. “Didn’t youwantme to date the girl? When I first got here, you were all about it.”

“Yes, but Iknowyou.”

What the fuck is that supposed to mean? “I’m not saying I’m gonna mark the girl tomorrow or anything, but Ilike her. We danced at the ball, and you were right. She’s a good one.”

“You’re planning on giving up your career in Emporia for a girl on Sabine?”

“Again, Pen, you’re thinking too far ahead. I’m not ruling anything out with Violet is what I’m saying. We’ll see where it goes.” I swoop down and kiss her cheek. “I’ve got somewhere to be. Catch you later.”

As I leave, my phone rings. Heath. I pick it up.

“What the fuck, dude?” he snaps from the other end.

“That’s your greeting?” I say. “And you’re single? It’s a wonder of the world.”

He doesn’t laugh. “Real funny. Get here. Now.” He hangs up.

So much for friendship.

What crawled up his ass today? Did Violet tell him about our arrangement? Hopefully not, because the less people know of it, the better. Bringing her brother into it will just mess things up. Especially since he doesn’t want me near her as it is.

But when I arrive at the Gardener townhouse, I barely have time to knock when the door swings open.

Heath stands there, glaring at me, with the skinny Rue at his side, wearing an identical expression. Only hers sparks with humor and good will. Heath…he looks like he wants to turn my entrails into jewelry or something.

“Have you seen?” Rue holds out that bedazzled phone. “You and Vi are famous. Someone is saying they saw Vi leaving a boathouse by the boardwalk yesterday and you soon after. Is that true? Everyone’s talking, not just the QB.Every. One. Even on the mainland. Stitch has blown apart at the seams.”

Ah, shit.

The irate call from Heath makes sense now. This didn’t come from Violet. It’s worse. It came from the socials.

“Get it?” She pauses, looks from me to her brother. “Seams? Stitches?”

“Go to your room, Rue,” Heath says, not lifting his gaze from me.

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