Page 126 of Strange Seduction
“I want you to come with me. To the investment ball.”
“Teddy—”
“Please.”
Her lips pulled back softly in the way they did when she was about to be playful. “You want to show off or something?”
“I want to make it very clear to a certain motherfucker that you’re mine,” I said, meaning every word before switching to myown playfulness. “And maybe feed you tiny overpriced desserts on a balcony somewhere.”
She chuckled, then leaned in, lips brushing mine. “I may need a new outfit.”
“Then, we’ll get you a new outfit.”
She kissed me lightly, and I leaned into it, already feeling round eight coming on.
“One condition,” She said, holding me back with a hand to my chest. “You gotta put that project you’ve been working on on display.”
My eyebrows screwed up in confusion. “Huh? Why?”
Her eyes drifted to my lips. “Cause it’s good. And you deserve to have something you’re proud of there.”
“I’ll have you there.”
“You will, and I’ll be sure to support you and that project. Okay?”
I sighed. “Okay.”
“Good, now come here.”
Heart Breaks and Promises.
Day Nine.
I’ve never seen so many men with crisp hairlines and starched collars in one room in my life. Every third guy looked like he stepped out of a trust fund starter pack—Rolex, tight smile, vague trauma.
And yet… none of them held a candle tomytrust fund baby.
Theo stood just ahead of me, talking to some guy I’d already forgotten the name of. His hand rested lightly on my back, thumb moving in small circles like he knew I needed the grounding.
Or maybe he needed it. Either way, I wasn’t moving.
“Is this what rich people do for fun?” I muttered under my breath when the guy left.
He turned his head slightly, lips barely moving. “Only the boring ones.”
I grinned.
The ballroom was all velvet drapes and gold accents. Tall ceilings, chandeliers, and passed hors d’oeuvres that were doing the most for so little reward. Some type of shrimp tartare on a black sesame crisp. Not even a full bite. I popped one in my mouth anyway.
The dress I wore tonight was satin and the color of spilled champagne. Strapless, with a high slit that kept getting Theo’s attention when he thought I wasn’t looking.
He picked it.
I let him.
The day was stressful enough for him, so being in control of this one thing was me giving him a win. The matching heels were technically a crime against arches, but they made my legs look long and my walk look expensive, so I committed.
Theo looked at me now, eyes dropping down my body.
