Page 55 of Cruelest Contract
“Oh, she was just curious.” Cecilia fidgets and drinks more beer, suddenly too nervous to look me in the eye. “I mean, I told her about you. Not just you. I told her about all of you. And the ranch. And, you know, everything.”
She’s adorable when she babbles.
“Then shouldn’t you take pictures of my brothers too? I can call them over here.”
She looks behind her and sees Fort sitting at a nearby table and getting slobbered on by two girls at the same time. Tye is loudly ordering more drinks with his arm slung over the shoulders of the girl he’s been making out with.
“They look busy,” she says. “And it seems like one of them already escaped.”
“Getty didn’t escape. Look to your right. He’s giving lessons over at the pool table.”
More accurately, he’s bent over the table and pressing into the ass of a cute blonde who giggles the entire time as he guides her hands on the cue stick.
Cecilia takes note and raises her eyebrows. “You’re good at keeping tabs on them.”
“I’ve had a lot of experience.”
“I know.” She nods. “You were always the captain of the crew.”
“Still am. Can’t really run from your birthright.”
“Not even when you try.” She winces. “I tried. I wasn’t allowed. My grandfather was always watching and interfering and getting Angelo to do his dirty work. I didn’t even know. Why didn’t I know? I was kidding myself, thinking I was on my own. They’ll never let that happen.”
Maybe the alcohol is responsible for loosening her tongue. I wasn’t joking when I warned what a straight shot of whiskey will do to a girl who can’t even finish a glass of wine.
Cecilia rubs a hand across her forehead. The shoulder of her dress drops another inch. Dirty thoughts gallop through my mind.
“Are you all right?” My forefinger touches her wrist. Her bones are delicate, her fingers long and slender.
She doesn’t flinch from the contact. Those big brown eyes of hers lift to focus on my face and different emotions all crunch together.
I want her in the most obvious sense. The urge to drag her home to my bed and fuck until we’re both senseless is overpowering.
Also, I feel the intense need to destroy everything and everyone that has ever caused her pain.
“I just need to use the restroom.” She stands too quickly and wobbles.
I’m at her side in an instant, wrapping an arm around her waist to keep her steady.
“I’m fine,” she says, and gives me a weak smile before politely stepping out of my grip. “Really. I’ll be right back.”
The restrooms are on the other side of the bar. I keep my eyes on Cecilia until she disappears into the ladies’ room. She’s gone for less than ten seconds when the band returns from their break. The dance floor instantly becomes crowded, obscuring my view.
I’m not comfortable with this. She’s not exactly drunk but she’s probably buzzed and there are too many men here. No choice but to move.
I end up parked so close to the door that Cecilia bumps into my chest when she leaves a moment later.
“You scared me,” she gasps and leans against the nearest wall to catch her breath.
“Do you feel sick?” I ask her. “We can leave.”
In fact, I’d prefer if we did.
“No need,” she says and I can’t hear what she says next because of all the cheering when the band finishes a song.
“What?”
“I said, can we get some air?” she shouts into my ear.
