Page 38 of Cruel Vows

He nods and leaves the room, shutting the door behind him without another word.

Even though he’s gone, the tension is still sucking the air from the room.

It takes only a few moments to pull the dress on, the zipper still open as I sit at the vanity and curl my hair into loose waves. I swipe on some quick makeup and find a pair of matching heels.

It would be nice to know where we’re going right now, but I have to wait a couple days before I start demanding things from him. I need Sean to let the escape attempt fade in his mind.

I leave the room, taking a deep breath as I descend the stairs to find Sean standing there in a suit with a tie that matches my dress.

His gaze rakes up and down my body, lingering for a moment on my face. The familiar warmth that races through my body when he looks at me that way is back. I squeeze my thighs together for a moment before turning my back to him.

“Do you mind getting the zipper?”

Sean’s fingers trace up my bare spine, his breath ghosting across the back of my neck and sending a shiver through my body.

He grazes against the spot where I hid the hickey under my makeup. “You should have left it out. Other men are going to spend the night staring at you.”

“I’ll behave myself. You know that. You’ve seen me at events with Aiden.” I pull my hair out of the way as he reaches for the zipper. “I know the importance of keeping up appearances with the public.”

“Good. Because this isn’t just the public you have to impress tonight. It’s my father and he’s going to be watching us like a damn hawk.”

Great.

I’m screwed.

Malcolm’s ballroomis the epitome of having too much money and not knowing what to do with it.

Giant gold columns tower around the perimeter and there’s a family portrait on the ceiling, each one with their own little frame around their face.

I shudder and step closer to Sean, looping my arm tighter through his. “What the hell is this place?”

Sean chuckles, leading the way over to a table in the corner. “This is what my family does. Big events where they have to swing their dicks around, showing everyone that they have more money.”

“The senator is here.” I nod to the stage at the front of the ballroom where a string quartet is playing. “How does Malcolm have sway with the senator?”

“He just does.” Sean pulls out one of the chairs for me, glancing at an older couple at the table. “Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox, this is my beautiful wife, Ellie. Ellie, this is Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox. They’re on the board of directors for one of the charities my father donates to.”

I offer them a polite smile, gaze dropping to the stunning necklace around Mrs. Wilcox’s neck. “Those emeralds bring out the colors in your eyes beautifully, Mrs. Wilcox.”

She laughs, a pink flush on her cheeks. “Call me Lily. Everybody does. Sean just thinks that he still has to be formal even after I changed his diapers.”

Sean rolls his eyes. “Sure, it has nothing to do with the fact that you told me if I ever didn’t treat a woman with respect, you would take your belt to my hide.”

Lily shrugs, reaching for her champagne glass. “And it still stands. You better treat your lovely wife like a damn princess; otherwise, it’s going to be me you have a problem with.”

Sean sits in one of the empty chairs beside me. “I’ve always been respectful.”

I hold back the comment on the tip of my tongue about what happened last night. There was nothing respectful about it, but damn, it was good.

Dominic slides into the seat on my other side, leaning forward. “What did I miss?”

“Nothing yet.” I grin and lean closer to him. “Sean’s been threatened.”

Dominic laughs and shakes his head, winking at Lily and her husband. “I see the two of you are up to no good like normal.”

Lily smirks, one slender shoulder rising. “What else is there to do? These events are always for a good cause, but they’re so dull.”

I nearly jump out of my seat when Sean’s hand lands on my thigh beneath the table. His fingers slip beneath the slit that climbs halfway up my thigh.

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