Page 53 of Heart of Stone (Dark Billionaires)

When the four of them moved to the garden, Leo followed, stopping to cock his leg on a small bush bordering the stone path. The marquee itself was enormous, a tall, white structure held up by three enormous inclines. Its interior was dotted with waiters sporting trays of champagne flutes like migrating spots on a ladybird.

At the other end of the vast marquee, a casino had been set up. Tables covered in green baize were carefully arranged. Kate felt an odd nostalgia at the sight of them. The last time she had visited her father’s club had been as a girl, but she remembered the feel of the tables beneath her hands, the amplified chatter, the occasional roar at a big win.

Tonight, the real attraction was the river of pale blue roses flowing in the air, suspended by almost invisible wire and illuminated by fairy lights to ensure it sparkled in the night. The colour scheme was continued throughout the marquee, with pale blue sashes adorning each chair and cerulean curtains marking off private seating areas.

The more Kate looked, the more she saw. Fruit machines, cocktails with smoke bubbles, trays and trays of bite-sized canapés, a fully stocked bar, Instagram-worthy flower walls, champagne towers, a six-foot tall illuminated ‘60’.

Guests streamed around the marquee, clutching flutes of champagne and wearing clothes costing more than her monthly wage. Frowning, Kate saw Jensen and Aldous chatting in one of the seating areas.

“He was in New York with Warren,” she told Saffron, looking round to see where Warren was hiding.

“I don’t suppose you can introduce me.”

“To which one?”

“I’ll take either.” Saffron’s smile was filthy. “Or both.”

Kate grabbed the nearest flute of champagne and took a healthy gulp. A prickling feeling ran down her spine, as though she was being watched. She ignored it. “You’re corrupting Mattie.”

Mattie’s blush deepened beneath the silvery blue mood lighting. “You’re four years too late for that one, Kate.”

“Wait,what?!”

Mattie looked around—presumably to check Sarah wasn’t listening. Thankfully, she was deep in conversation with Rhys. “You think just because I’m disabled I can’t have an adult relationship?” he said tartly, cocking his eyebrow.

She hadn’t really thought about it like that. “I suppose I just thought you were very into your models.”

“I’ve beenvery intoseveral things,” Mattie muttered as Saffron began to cackle.

Kate resisted hiding her face in her hands on account of not wanting to ruin Brit’s hard work. “Why is everyone getting laid but me?”

“Hello kitten.”

She shut her eyes as soon as the dark, suave voice reached her ears. Pretending she hadn’t heard it. Pretending she hadn’t sent the man it belonged to a long list detailing each and every kink that tickled her fancy. Pretending that he didn’t know her better than anyone else ever had.

Whilst Warren was distracted with Mattie and Sarah, Kate steadied herself with another flute of champagne.

“Saffron,” Warren said, “I hear you’ve been keeping Kate company.”

Saffron nodded, sending Kate a nervous glance. “I suggested we hire a make-up artist to get us ready. And her and Mattie have been showing me how to playWorld of Warcraft.”

A glass of liquor brushed Warren’s lips, the dark liquid disappearing between them. “I’m sure Blizzard will be relieved to know Mattie’s doing his best to increase subscriber numbers.”

Mattie stood at his brother’s elbow. “Saffron likes to watch more than play.”

“Yes,” he drawled. The verdant glint in Warren’s eyes found Kate, ogling her body so blatantly she wanted to blush. “I hear that can be… entertaining.”

“How was New York?” Kate blurted out, desperate to change the subject.

“Stressful. Come,” he took her arm. “I’ll introduce you to Alison.”

Kate had no choice but to let herself be swept away, sending apologetic looks to Mattie and Saffron. The former was smirking, but the latter remained unconvinced.I’ll be fine, Kate mouthed to her. Warren may have had the capacity to be an arse of the highest order, but he’d never hurt her.

The list of his kinks came to mind. Dominant. Primal.

Perhaps he would hurt her.

The thought had her navel swirling with warmth.

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