Page 73 of Velvet Cruelty

January gives a soft moan, turning her head from side to side.

“God she’s beautiful,” I say, because I’m drunk, and I can’t not say it.

Ell looks at me. “I didn’t bring you here to watch her sleep.”

He reaches across the bed, shaking January’s shoulder. “Wake up, bella. We need to talk to you.”

January’s eyes flutter open and she pulls the sheets to her nose. “What’s going on?”

“Don’t panic,” Eli says. “Tell them what you told me.”

January lowers the blanket. “I… um, I’ve been given that drug before.”

“No, you haven’t,” Doc mutters around his unlit cigarette.

“But… um?” She looks to Eli who raises a hand.

“Just keep going.”

“It was at a charity ball,” January whispers. “I went cold, then hot, and I couldn’t stop thinking about…” She breaks off, flushing scarlet.

“So, you got horny,” Doc snarls. “That’s not the same thing as having O.”

“Let her speak.” Eli lays a palm on the covers, where January’s thigh must be. “Finish, bella.”

For the millionth time, I wish I was Eli Morelli. It isn’t a new feeling, being jealous of him. But he could marry January if he wanted and that burns.

“After the ball, I was sick for days,” she says. “I couldn’t get out of bed, and I kept—”

“Fucking yourself.” Doc looks at Eli. “This horny schoolgirl shit doesn’t mean anything.”

“Because you’re not listening,” Eli says testily. “January, who gave you a drink that night?”

“Mr. Parker.”

The cigarette tumbles from between Doc’s teeth. “What?”

“Mr. Parker,” she repeats. “He was sitting at my family’s table, but I’m not sure he was the one—”

“Shut the fuck up. What drink did he give you?”

“Um, a mocktail. It was blue with glittery syrup.”

“What did it taste like?”

“Sweet but, um, funny. I thought he’d maybe got a normal cocktail by mistake.”

My muscles go weak. He drugged her. I know what Parker is capable of, but he was supposed to leave her alone until he married her.

“Say the last part,” Eli orders. “What happened next?

“I started to… feel the way I felt tonight.” January’s voice is barely a whisper. “Only it was worse.”

“Speak up,” Doc barks. “How was it worse?”

“I couldn’t concentrate. My head was spinning. I told Margot I needed to leave. I was trying to find somewhere private because…” She looks down at her hands and a twisted pang goes through me. Because she was trying to find somewhere to touch herself.

“Mr. Parker followed me. He said he knew a place where I could sit. He took me to a side room and gave me a glass of water. I remember because he was so careful not to touch me and I…” her voice cracks. “I… wanted him to touch me.”

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