Page 37 of Taking What's Mine

My pulse kicks up. If these two are real friends of Morris, maybe they can lead us to him eventually. I take a moment to play the role further, letting my hand slide from Isabel’s waist to rest on the small of her back, pressing her lightly against me. “Well, we’d love to meet him.”

Vera sets down her glass on a nearby table. “I’m sure we can arrange that. But in the meantime, why don’t you relax, enjoy yourselves?” She steps in closer, eyeing the swirl of couples behind us. “We can show you around if you like.”

“We were hoping for something a bit more… private,” Isabel says, leaning into my side. Her voice stays airy, but I catch the tension in her eyes. She’s trying to push them to talk more about Morris, but not too aggressively.

Trey and Vera exchange knowing looks. “Well,” Trey says, “we can take you to a quieter area. If you’re watchers, I’m sure you’ll find a good vantage point.”

“Sounds great,” I say, keeping my tone light.

They lead us past the mini-ballroom, around to a tucked-away alcove behind an ornate screen. The lighting here is softer, tinted rose and gold, with a low table in the center and a plush white couch that looks like it belongs in a high-end boudoir. The faint chatter of the party fades, and my heart gives a small jump. We’re definitely pushing deeper into the scene.

Vera gestures for us to sit. “Make yourselves comfortable.” A teasing smile curves her lips as she eyes Isabel. “Or, better yet, get cozy with each other.”

The request is expected, but it still sends a jolt through me. Isabel glances up at me, and I dip my head in a small nod, stepping around the table and taking a seat on the couch. I pull her onto my lap in one fluid motion, my hand resting lightly on her hip. The immediate flood of warmth from her body nearly makes me forget why we’re here.

I can feel the tension in her shoulders, the faint tremble in her thighs where they brush my knees. “You good?” I murmur against her ear.

She gives a tiny nod, a ghost of a smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah,” she murmurs, her breath hitching just enough that I notice.

Trey and Vera settle on a couch across from us, a flicker of amusement in their eyes as they watch me and Isabel entwine. “You two are adorable,” Vera purrs, leaning into Trey’s side. Her gaze slides between us, curiosity brimming. “So how long have you been… exploring?”

Isabel glances at me before answering. “Not too long. We’re pretty new to it all, so we like… seeing how others do it. Getting a feel for the vibe.” Her fingers slide up to rest on my chest in a display of affection, and I have to remind myself to keep breathing normally because fuck, I’m getting hard just having her so close.

Trey chuckles, swirling his champagne. “Well, you’re in good hands if you become friends with Morris. He knows all the right people, all the right places.” He quirks a brow, offering a sly grin. “Who knows? Maybe you’ll get on the guest list for his next big event.”

That’s exactly what we need. I let out a relaxed laugh, letting my palm slide a gentle circle over Isabel’s hip. “We’d love that. I mean, we’ve heard rumors… big parties, lots of interesting guests.”

Vera nods, eyes gleaming. “You’d be right. The best part is how discreet it all is. Morris is cautious—he vets everyone who attends. So if you make the cut, you’re golden.”

I file that information away, trying not to show just how valuable it is. It sounds like we’ll need more than just a casual introduction to get close to Morris. Still, I keep my tone casual. “Well, we hope we pass the test,” I say, shooting a playful look at Isabel. “We’re very… open-minded, but we like to be sure about the company we keep.”

Across from us, Trey rests his hand on Vera’s thigh, his voice dropping lower. “So, how do you like to… watch?” His gaze flicks over me and Isabel, and there’s an unmistakable edge to it.

Isabel tenses, but she masks it by shifting on my lap, pressing closer. My entire body goes on high alert at the feel of her in my arms, but I smooth a hand along her lower back, letting my fingers toy with the material of her dress. “We’re just feeling it out,” I say, steadying my voice. “We like to keep each other in sight, you know? And if things get interesting… we watch from a comfortable distance.”

Vera laughs softly, leaning forward, elbows on her knees. “Mmm, well, you might see a lot tonight. People sometimes get carried away, especially after a few drinks.”

Isabel offers a small nod, her voice pitched low and warm. “That’s what we’re hoping for.”

Even though we’re playing a role, the closeness between us is far from fake. The heat of her body on my lap, the subtle flutter in her pulse when I shift beneath her—it’s all too real. My mind splits in two: one half remains laser-focused on gleaning any relevant detail about Morris, and the other half struggles to deal with the heightened awareness of Isabel’s every breath.

We chat for a while longer, the conversation dipping into innuendo and flirtatious remarks. Trey and Vera seem eager to gauge our interest, as though testing if we might actually swing or if we’re just voyeurs. They drop more hints about Morris’s circle—how exclusive it is, how certain individuals must prove themselves “trustworthy”—but it’s all still vague. Not enough to pinpoint his location or schedule, and definitely not enough to confront him directly.

Eventually, the music from the mini-ballroom shifts to a slower tune. Trey stands, extending a hand to Vera. “Shall we dance?”

She rises smoothly, shooting us a wink. “We’ll give you two some space. Enjoy yourselves—maybe we’ll circle back later. Who knows what might happen, right?”

I force a crooked grin. “Right,” I reply, letting my hand stroke a comforting pattern on Isabel’s thigh.

They saunter off, leaving us in this tucked-away nook that’s both intimate and exposed. I exhale, glancing down at Isabel. Her gaze meets mine, and I see the swirl of relief, nerves, and maybe a hint of amusement in her eyes.

“Well,” I mutter, keeping my voice low, “this is definitely not what I expected.”

She snorts softly, settling her head against my shoulder. “We came here looking for Morris, and we end up weaving through a swinger’s meet-and-greet. Talk about a curveball.”

I tighten my hold on her, the press of her body offering a strange sense of comfort. “At least we found people who know him,” I say, striving to stay optimistic. “If we play our cards right, they might introduce us in the future.”

She nods, the strain in her voice obvious. “Yeah. We just have to keep up the act.”

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