“I could pose for you,” Ari suddenly offered, his hands going to his waist like he was going to start undressing right here.
“That’s all right, dear,” Geraldine said, almost dismissively as she swept dramatically toward the dining room. “I think my collection is complete.”
Ari’s jaw dropped.
“How is she not noticing how hot I am?” he complained.
Blake patted him on the chest, a wide grin on her face. “You’re hot to me, Lancaster,” she cooed reassuringly.
Ari’s eyes grew hooded, and he smirked at her, pulling her into his chest. “Good, because you’re stuck with me, angel face,” he said, and I looked away, because it was suddenly gettingveryhot in here.
Geraldine stopped Walker before he and Olivia had made it to the dining room. “You know…youwould make an excellent addition to my collection, Walker dear. I could make an exception for you.”
Walker was turned away from me, but I could see the tips of his ears turning red, even from where I was standing.
Logan was cracking up next to me, burying his face in my neck.
Ari stiffened and pointed a finger in the air as he kept Blake plastered against him with his other arm. “This is anoutrage,” he hissed.
Blake started giggling.
“This is not funny.”
“Sorry,” she said, her giggles turning into hysterical laughter. “But it kind of is.”
“Traitor,” he grumbled, letting her go and hustling after the eccentric woman. “Geraldine, have you been watching my thirst traps lately?”
She ignored him as she disappeared from the room, but it took Logan a second before his laughter calmed and he could hold himself upright.
We passed his sculpture, and I stopped in front of it. “You know, I don’t think it’s quite as big as you are,” I commented.
“That was the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me, Red,” Logan said before he pulled me into a deep kiss. I was breathless when he released me, my body ready to desert this dinner party and head home for another round in bed.
“Soon,” he commented, his eyes growing hooded and his dick stiffening as he pulled me close.
“Logan, darling. Are you two joining us?” Geraldine asked, popping her head out. “I want to talk about your tattoos.”
“Coming,” Logan answered in a choked voice, looking very afraid all of a sudden.
“Pssh. You talk a big game, Logan York, but I think you actually like how Geraldine fawns over you.”
His cheeks flushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
I leaned in close as we started to walk. “After we’re donetalkingabout your tattoos…I think I want to hear about what happened that night.”
Logan gulped and muttered something unintelligible under his breath.
Dinner was as extravagant as you’d expect—long table, crystal chandeliers, more silverware than was necessary—and the chaos didn’t stop once we sat down.
Ari, clearly desperate for Geraldine’s attention, kept trying to chime in with witty comments, only to be ignored as she focused on Logan or Walker. Every time Ari opened his mouth, Geraldine waved him off like an annoying fly.
“Geraldine,” Ari said finally, his voice taking on an exaggeratedly dignified tone. “If you don’t acknowledge my brilliance soon, I may take my talents elsewhere.”
Geraldine didn’t even look at him. “Yes, dear, you do that.”
The table erupted in laughter, and Ari threw up his hands in exasperation. “You’re all dead to me.”
“You’ll survive,” Lincoln said dryly, raising his glass in a mock toast.