Page 36 of The Bad Boy Rule

“Hi.”

Her mother steps forward to pull her into a hug, wearing an emerald gown, heavy diamonds adorning her neck and wrists. She presses her lips to each of Lennon’s cheeks, keeping her hands along her arms as she steps back to admire her. “You look absolutely beautiful, darling. I love this dress on you. Very classic.”

Lennon smiles politely. “Thank you.”

Finally, her mother glances over at me, her smile dimming slightly. “And… who’s this?”

Her throat bobs before she looks up at me, then back at her parents. “This is Saint. My…”

“Boyfriend,” I finish for her with a smirk.

Her mother looks almost as surprised as her husband, but she never loses her perfectly poised smile. Clearly, she’s well versed in keeping up appearances, but then again, I can see past the bullshit. The little things, the sharp intake of breath, the slight twitch of her smile, the way she swallows roughly.

I know better than anyone about not letting the world see what’s beneath the mask.

I stick my hand out for her father to shake, and his gaze drops down, slowly flicking over the dark ink on the top of my hand.

I wish I could take my phone out and snap a picture of his face. Like he’s smelling shit, nose scrunched slightly, crinkling on the top as his lips are pulled tight in a combination of a smile and a grimace.

“Boyfriend?” he mutters, ignoring my outstretched hand altogether.

“It’s fairly new, but I couldn’t wait any longer for you and Mom to meet him,” Lennon says before looking up at me. I give her a wink, ready to amp up the assholeness because I’m dying to see that vein in his neck to poke out even more. Damn, he’s already turning a violent shade of red. He might want to get his blood pressure checked.

Mission accomplished, Golden Girl, and I haven’t even said anything offensive…yet.

This is far too fucking easy.

To be fair, though, I don’t blame him for not wanting someone like me with his prim and proper princess. Which will make it all the more fun when I finally do.

“You know what they say… when you know, you know. And trust me, I knew. Right, baby?” I murmur before dipping my head and pressing my lips to the space right below her ear. She shivers against me, and then she tightens her hand in mine, squeezing my fingers until they feel like they’re going to break off.

A warning.

Too bad I don’t give a fuck about warnings. Exactly why she chose me for this shtick in the first place.

Damn, though, for someone so tiny, the girl is surprisingly strong.

Her mother lets out a choked sound, and we both glance up at her. She’s got her hand pressed against her mouth, and she clears her throat quietly, another smile slipped into place. “Well, it’s so lovely to meet you, Saint. We’re delighted you could be here tonight. This is an event that’s very near and dear to Edward’s heart. He loves this foundation and tries to make this the top fundraising event of the year.”

My gaze shifts to Lennon’s father, and my stomach churns. Yeah, he’s an outstanding fucking citizen alright. Donating to charity, taking pictures with the lowly people who work for him. Too bad the world doesn’t know that he’s a lying piece of shit who would do anything, step on anyone, to keep this lifestyle up.

Edward smiles, and it doesn’t meet his eyes. “Yes, absolutely. We should probably head to our table. The auction should begin right after dinner is served.”

“Perfect. Could you give us just a minute?” Lennon asks. “We’ll be right there.”

Her mother’s nose bunches in obvious disgust at us being alone. “Uh… of course, sweetheart.”

They glance between us for another moment before disappearing into the crowd.

I can feel Lennon’s entire body sag the second they’re out of view, putting a stop to the performance. She untangles our fingers, taking a step away from me and glaring up at me with a fiery stare.

“What the hell, Saint?” she hisses, glancing around to make sure no one heard her. “What was that?”

My brow lifts. “What was… what?”

Her eyes narrow. “The touching. That…kiss.”

I almost laugh out loud. She has no fucking clue what she’s signed herself up for.Oh, you poor, sheltered, innocent girl.It’s almost a crime to be the one she chose for this. I step closer until I feel the front of her pressed against me, drinking in the surprised, sharp intake of breath as she peers up at me. “Just playing my part. You want to convince them or not?”

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