Page 20 of Tryst

The corners of my lips twisted up slightly, though I wanted to dunk her face into the koi pond outside. I was a dick to many people in the business world but making a scene at Elizabeth’s party was not something I wanted to do. At that moment, I spotted her over Tabitha’s shoulder staring in our direction with a disgusted expression. I winked, but she averted her gaze.

Shit. I wanted to excuse myself to speak to her, but Tabitha was now holding the crook of my elbow, babbling on and on about her recent trip to Bora Bora with her sister. Something I couldn’t care less about.

A waiter approached with a gold tray of champagne. I took two, chugging the first, then placing the glass on a nearby table. The second, I sipped slower, not offering anything to Tabitha, and never taking my eyes off Elizabeth’s splendor. The guy I thought was her boyfriend, took her hand in his, leading her to the dance floor in the center of the room. Paying no attention to me, she pressed her rear against him. Reaching back, she locked her fingers behind his neck. Several others joined them. It was difficult to see her through her friends, but I kept a watchful eye on her as much as I could until Tabitha tapped my shoulder.

“Would you like to dance?”

I shot her a confused glance, unsure how much time had passed. “Oh, no thanks.” I darted my eyes back to the dance floor, observing as Elizabeth excused herself and disappeared through a side door.

“You’re watching it like you want—”

Twisting back to Tabitha, I placed my empty hand on her forearm. “Excuse me.”

Mortified, she watched as I chugged the rest of the champagne and handed her the glass. I marched toward the door I came in, knowing it circled around to the hallway she went into. I laid the gift on the designated table, then followed the long corridor, turning left at the end. She was nowhere in sight.

“Hey, man.”

I spun around. “Hey, J.”

James slapped my shoulder blade. “Did Tabitha scare you off already?”

Rolling my eyes, I slid my hands into my pockets. “She’s really…uh nice.”

He snorted. “She’s rather much, I know.”

Running my fingers through my hair, I exhaled. “God, she’s awful. What was Alicia thinking?”

“If anything, maybe you can get laid tonight, at least.”

“I’d have to duct tape her mouth closed,” I huffed, glancing back and forth for Elizabeth, “or she’d talk the whole damn time.”

He laughed, but quickly became serious. “What are you looking for?”

“The bathroom?”

He creased his brow. “They’ve not changed a thing since you’ve been gone.”

He was right, but what was I supposed to say?I was coming to see your daughter.

He lifted his chin toward the hall. “There.”

“Thanks.” I slapped his back as I sauntered away. I glimpsed back over my shoulder to see he’d gone back in the entrance Elizabeth had used.

There were two single bathrooms side by side. Just as I was about to enter the door on the right, it opened. Elizabeth gasped. I looked around for cameras but didn't see any.

Pressing my body against hers, I forced her backward. Never taking my eyes off her, I closed the door, locking it behind me. “Happy birthday.”

She remained silent, crossing her arms under her breasts, staring at me the same way she did earlier.

I guided her back to the counter of the powder room, pinning her rear against the edge. “Why are you ignoring me?”

“You agreed to a date with Tabi—”

I pressed a finger to her lips. “First of all, your father didn’t leave me with much of a choice last night. If I’d said no, he would have been suspicious of me. Don’t forget, he’s still my best friend…for now.” I sighed, wretched at the thought of how things would go if this continued. “And he knows I need pussy to keep me happy. If I’d said I didn’t want to meet your mom’s friend, he’d be watching me like a hawk.”

“So, are you?” She gnawed the inside of her cheek.

“Am I what?”

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