Page 23 of Reveal Me
As the excited chatter subsides, my mother catches my eye. ‘Sean, darling, Majella Wellington’s daughter is back from Paris. She’s a lovely girl.’
The relentless matchmaking machine powers up again.
‘I’m sure she’s wonderful,’ I respond with a practiced smile; the deflection is automatic at this stage.
‘Does she have a brother?’ Rian pipes up gleefully, elbowing me. Dickhead.
I’m tempted to show him the Saint Andrew’s cross in my underground club. The toys. The restraints. The sounds I can extract from a woman with nothing more than a modulated command. But my preferences are private.
And that’s the way I want it to stay.
Which is why I’m having dinner with a ball-breaking British princess tonight.
‘Shut your mouth, Rian,’ Killian growls. He could uncover my club in a matter of minutes, should he choose to. As CEO of Europe’s largest security empire, he has access to all the resources he needs, but unlike my littlest brother, Killian respects my privacy—thank fuck.
My father ignores the squabbling, eyeing each of us in turn like he’s surveying his expanding dynasty with satisfaction—six children, four grandchildren, and now another one on the way.
Could I ever have this?
Will I ever want to?
The question surfaces from nowhere as I watch Scarlett’s protective hand resting over her still-flat stomach.
‘You’ll be next,’ James claps my shoulder with brotherly presumption.
I offer another polite smile because it’s expected, but despite this perpetual exposure to familial bliss, I’m a dominant, not a domestic, and I wouldn’t trade my cultivated darkness for all the golden-hued family portraits in Ireland.
Which is why I need to excuse myself to prepare for tonight’s meeting. I’m the Dom, yet that little royal witch wields more power than me—the power to reveal me. Though, after reading through the contract, Princess Layla Sinclair might not be quite as cocky as she was the first time we met. Words like orgasm control and sensory deprivation tend to have that effect on a lot of women. Which is why I keep my sex life completely separate from my social life. Ifthe princess doesn’t cancel, or simply fail to show up tonight, I’d bet my ass she’ll want to negotiate things down.
I spent the last few days researching her, and from the reports in the tabloids, she wasn’t exaggerating about trying to ruin her own reputation. Her latest antics just before Christmas certainly ruined her chances with her last suitor. Tipping a drink over a man’s head has that effect. The article made me laugh out loud. She’s got spirit, I’ll give her that. Despite her attempts to blackmail me, part of me admires her.
Attending a kinky sex club might feel like her best rebellion against her royal restraints yet. Once her rebellion doesn't start a war, I wouldn’t be entirely averse to getting behind her—literally and figuratively—providing our arrangement never gets out. The chemistry between us was explosive. Now the shock has worn off, I’ve thought about Friday night more times than I can count—mostly with utter want.
Larissa was distraught when I caught up with her. She offered her resignation immediately. I couldn’t accept it. The truth is, I couldn’t manage Reveal without her.
I drain the rest of my wine, then rise from my seat.
‘Where are you going?’ Scarlett calls across the table where Harper and Halle are hanging off her like a climbing frame. ‘We haven’t even had dessert yet.’
‘Sorry,’ I force an apologetic tone. ‘I’m meeting someone.’
My mother’s head snaps up hard enough to give her whiplash. ‘A woman?’
‘Yes. But don’t get your hopes up. It’s not like that.’
‘That’s how these things start,’ Caelon says, looking at Ivy with huge puppy dog eyes. Their own wedding is only a few months away.
‘It’s just business. Talk soon.’ I shake hands with the men, kiss the women’s cheeks and make my way out into the damp, drizzling evening where my driver, Ben, awaits. He’s one ofKillian’s men—a lethally trained bodyguard, but he’s also my friend, sparring partner and confidant. When we spend so much time together, there’s no other option.
All Becketts have security detail. My estate is littered with cameras and armed security guards, but they know to stay away from the west side. They’re under strict instructions to turn a blind eye to the comings and goings. Dominic’s guys police Reveal. The two never usually cross over. Wealth welcomes enemies in this world, and we have plenty. Which is why I’m determined not to add the British royals to that list.
Half of me hopes the princess will cancel.
The other half is still imagining her spread out like an all you can eat buffet on my Saint Andrew’s cross.
Chapter Ten
SEAN
