Ruby

Bane looks like he wants to commit several murders as I move through the crowd, which is the exact reason I refused to let him see the costume before this moment. I have a plan for later tonight. And it includes costumes. His and mine. And sex. Hot superhero sex.

Once I’m close enough, I do a little spin and curtsey. “Do you like it?”

Bancroft adjusts his tie, then stuffs his hand back in his pocket, exhaling a low whistle. He clears his throat, but it doesn’t help much with the gravel in it. “A little too much.”

I bet he has a wicked hard-on right now. I wonder how long I have to wait before I can get my hands on it, or more exciting parts of my body.

“Banny!” A collective group-cringe accompanies the shrill sound.

I know that voice. I know it well. It’s Brittany Thorton. I call her Brittany Whore-ton. Because it’s fitting and sometimes I’m juvenile. She also wants to sink her claws into my man. She uses the fact that she’s known him her entire life as an excuse to hug him every time she sees him. Two broken arms would make that rather difficult.

Back before Bancroft and I were dating, he went out with her once. It was the same night we met.

As expected, she ignores me and throws her arms around his neck like she does every single time. God, I hate her so much. “You have got to be kidding me. Who the hell invited her?” I mutter.

Amie shrugs and Lex watches the interaction with amusement.

I have no idea what her costume is supposed to be. Her dress barely covers her ass, which is typical based on what I’ve seen her wear at other events. She shows up everywhere we are. It’s one of the pitfalls of being connected to all these people with money. They invite each other to everything.

I glare at Bancroft, who’s smart enough not to hug her back with the same level of enthusiasm. In fact, he barely pats her back. He touches her. That’s enough to make me consider using my whip to strangle her.

When she finally lets go of him her nose crinkles. “Who’re you supposed to be?”

She sucks a lollipop into her mouth. Pushing it to the side, she creates a bulge in her cheek.

“Bruce Wayne.”

“Oh.” She tilts her head as if she doesn’t understand. Shrugging, she pulls the lollipop out with a suctiony sound. I want to shove that damn thing up her left nostril. “Are you in the auction again? I brought my checkbook!”

“I’m not a bachelor this year.” Bane looks like he’s trying to keep his smile under control. He knows how much I loathe Brittany, especially when she ignores me on purpose and gets all touchy-feely with him. He thinks it’s funny when I get worked up about it. Probably because the sex afterward is extra feisty. He often comes away with scratches post–Brittany encounters, and then struts around without a shirt on so I can see the damage I’ve done.

“Oh, right. I forgot. You have a girlfriend.”

Lex coughs to cover his laughter. He knows just as well as Bancroft how much Brittany’s continued interest in Bane irritates me.

I push my way between them, wrap one arm around his back and slide one under the lapel of his suit. If it wouldn’t cause a huge scene I’d stick my tongue right down his throat just to make a point, or grab his crotch, but that would be pushing the line a lot. “Hi, Brittany, it’s so great to see you again!” I put on my best fake friendly smile.

“Oh! Hi, Rosemary! I didn’t even see you there.”

I don’t correct her on my name. She purposely gets it wrong every single time. Or she’s just too dim to remember.

“Did you know Lexington is up for auction tonight?”

Lex shoots daggers at me, but flashes a smile when Brittany turns her grin on him.

“Oh my God! Lexy!” She launches herself at him. He catches her, wrapping one arm around her waist as she clings to his neck. I unfurl my whip and make like I’m going to strangle her. Lex’s white-toothed grin widens, but changes to a cringe when he gets hit in the face with her hair.

Bancroft’s chest presses against my back and his mouth is suddenly at my ear. “Don’t be catty.”

I elbow him in the ribs. “Such a bad joke.”

When Brittany finally lets go of “Lexy” she drags her hands down his bare chest. “Oh wow! I love your costume. What’re you?”

“A gladiator.”

“Of course.” Her nose crinkles and she touches the sword holster at his waist, running her finger down the length. “So like, is this similar to a highlander? You know, the whole kilt, no underwear thing?”

Seriously. I detest this chick so much.

Lex smirks. If flirting were a profession, he’d be the CEO of the company. He leans in and says something none of us can hear.

Her giggle tells me he’s in full-on flirt mode. “I’ll be sure to bid on you. Daddy said I could spend as much as I want this year.” She winks exaggeratedly and licks her lollipop.

His eyebrows lift. “Lucky me.”

Judging from her smile, she entirely misses the sarcasm. It’s amazing that he’s able to flirt so shamelessly when even he’s admitted his disdain for her.

He settles his hands on her hips and moves back a step so she’s not in his personal space anymore and looks her over. “What’s your costume?”

“I’m the lollipop girl.”

“Right. Of course you are.”

After a few beats of silence and a muffled cough from Bancroft, she bounces on her toes, her boobs nearly popping out of her dress. “Okay! Well, I’m going to say hi to some more people. See you all later!” And off she goes.

“Wow.” Lex blows out a breath.

I turn to say something to Amie and notice, first, that she’s watching Brittany sashay across the room with the same level of absolute loathing as I usually do. She’s such a great best friend. It’s why I put up with Armstrong. That and I really have no other choice. It’s actually quite nice that he couldn’t make it tonight. As I observe Brittany interacting with another group of debutantes, I note a very familiar-looking man headed straight for Amie, dressed as Peter Pan, jaunty cap perched on his head and everything.

It takes me a moment to place him. He’s one of Amie’s exes. “Oh shit.” I grab her arm. “Three o’clock. The panty eater.” Of all of Amie’s exes, he’s one I never would’ve considered inviting to an event, because I’m pretty sure he’s certifiable. I did however slip an invite to a couple of the ones who aren’t crazy, but who were definitely enamored of her, likely because she wasn’t interested in whatever they were offering for more than a date or two.

Amie’s eyes go wide and she glances over. It’s too late to escape. He’s only fifteen feet away and closing in fast. “Who invited him?” she hisses.

“I have no idea.” It’s the truth, too. As bad as I feel for Amie right now, I almost wish Armstrong was here to witness this, because I’m pretty sure it’s going to be epic. He also needs to understand just how fully obsessed some of Amie’s exes are with her.

His smile is almost manic as he closes the gap. “Amie. It’s so good to see you.”

Before she has a chance to respond at all, he wraps his arms around her and buries his face in her neck, turning his head so his nose is pretty much in her hair. Her hands are frozen in the air, fingers spread wide as if she’s being electrocuted. I can’t see her face, but I imagine it’s filled with horror.

Bancroft’s mouth is at my ear. “Who the hell is that?”

“I’ll tell you later. It’s a great story,” I promise.

Prior to meeting Armstrong, Amie had decided to give online dating a chance. She thought it might help weed out some of the undesirables she was prone to going after. Some huge bigwig corporate mogul started messaging her, along with about six hundred other men. As was typical for Amie. She has absolutely no need to use online dating services, apart from being curious. She got asked out standing in lines at the grocery store, at least until Armstrong put a rock on her finger. I’m not sure even that has been much of a deterrent.

Deacon, the man currently hugging her, certainly wasn’t her usual type, but he was hot, and she was desperate to break her bad-boy pattern, so she went out with him.

Fast forward three dates later and she ended up back at his place. Apparently this guy had a thing for dining at the pussy buffet while her panties were still on. Which can be sexy in a teasing kind of way. Except he chewed an actual hole in her panties. And of course he kept them, because what man doesn’t need a pair of crotchless panties from a woman he’s fucked? We laughed about it.

The sex was insane though, based on her reports, so she went back for more.

The panty chewing continued. He seemed to be making it his mission to turn all of her panties into crotchless ones.

Anyway, after three panty destructions, she ended things. But in true Amie fashion, she’d managed to secure herself a stage-five clinger. He continued to message her for weeks after she said she wasn’t really interested in a relationship. It took a while for the message to sink in; the threat of a restraining order helped.

She shut down her account after that. Unfortunately the bar scene produced even less favorable dating options. The next guy she went out with was worse than the online ones—and almost landed her in prison.

Deacon embraces her far longer than is appropriate. During that time I shift a little, so I’m able to see her face. Everyone in our small group has stopped talking to watch this interaction.

He finally releases her but holds on to her shoulders as he leans back enough to see her face. His thumbs sweep along her collarbones. “I’d hoped you’d be here.”

“Deacon, it’s so . . . I didn’t . . . How are you?” Her voice is shrill, disarmed.

Lex gives me a questioning look. His fingers curl around the hilt of his sword, as if he’s considering using it.

Amie wraps her delicate hands around Deacon’s wrists and takes a step back. He moves forward with her. This is getting awkward. Especially when he grips her wrists in return, as if he’s unwilling, or possibly unable, to let them go.

Lex moves in, but I hold up a hand. She’s had years of self-defense classes, hot yoga, Pilates, and some crazy boxing thing she does to keep her fit and safe. Also, I really want to see how this plays out. It’s too bad Armstrong isn’t here to witness this. I search the room, hoping to spot him, but I can’t find him anywhere. I do, however, spot Brittany flirting with some suits.

It would’ve made my night if Armstrong happened to get punched out by one of Amie’s exes. Well, that and Bancroft fucking me while I’m Catwoman and he’s Batman.

Deacon holds Amie’s hands together in his and takes another step toward her. “You look so beautiful. It’s just so good to smell you again.”

And there it is. The weirdness I’m talking about.

Lex makes a face, as if he’s unsure he heard that correctly.

“See you again. I mean. So good.” He bows his head and brings her knuckles to his lips. I’m pretty sure he licks her, right before he notices the giant rock on her finger.

He snaps up, back ramrod straight. “What is that?”

Amie wipes her hand on her dress. “I’m engaged.” Her voice still has that reedy quality to it.

He blinks rapidly. Disbelieving.

“Do I need to manage this guy?” Bancroft asks me.

Lex steps up beside Amie before Bancroft can make a move, though, and throws his arm around her shoulder, pulling her into his side. She stumbles a bit and has to brace herself with a hand on his chest. Which is bare since he’s dressed as a gladiator. He turns his charming smile on Deacon and holds out his hand. “Hello, I’m Lex, Amalie’s fiancé.”

Amie looks up at him, her expression reflecting both confusion and shock. He bends down and puts his mouth to her ear, whispering something that makes her eyebrows lift even higher, but she gives him the tiniest of nods. What the hell is happening here?

Deacon looks from Amie to Lex and back again. “Her fiancé?”

“Yes. In just a few months she’ll be mine forever.” He turns to Amie, smiling down on her with a convincingly loving gaze and takes her chin between his finger and his thumb. For a second I think he’s actually going to kiss her. Instead he dips his head and brushes the end of his nose across the tip of hers. Amie’s eyes are wide. Her hand is wrapped around his wrist. The one that’s holding her chin.

It occurs to me, as I watch this go down, that those two would actually look incredible together. It’s really too bad she’s set on Armstrong.

Deacon’s expression has gone from confused to angry. “You’re getting married in a few months?”

“I’m sorry, how do you know Amalie?” Lex asks, giving him a full once over.

“We dated,” Deacon snaps.

“Briefly,” Amie adds.

“It wasn’t that brief.” He strokes the square of cloth peeking out of the pouch of his little man satchel. He really committed to the Peter Pan bit. He’s even wearing tights. The square of cloth seems out of place, though, since it’s lace and satin. “How long have you been engaged?”

“That’s irrelevant.” Amie’s hand flutters to her throat.

Deacon’s still stroking the fabric; the satchel is right over his crotch, so it looks a little obscene. “I thought you said you weren’t interested in getting serious with anyone.”

“At the time I wasn’t.”

Deacon scoffs. “So it was just about my cock then.”

Oh my God. Who the hell says that in public? In front someone’s fiancé, of all people. Even if Lex isn’t really Amie’s fiancé, Deacon doesn’t know that. I’m about to speak up when Lex wraps his gloved hand around the back of Deacon’s neck, wearing a jovial smile. From an outsider’s perspective, it could look very much like a normal conversation apart from Deacon’s angry expression and the way Lex’s fingers dig into his skin.

“Listen, buddy, that was fucking rude. You’re making a scene and you’re embarrassing yourself and Amalie. Now would be a good time to walk away, unless you’re interested in a bigger scene and some broken bones.”

Deacon closes his eyes, his expression pinched. He inhales and exhales deeply before his livid gaze finally falls on Amie. “I apologize.”

I breathe a sigh of relief.

Lex loosens his grip on Deacon’s neck and gives him a heavy pat on the shoulder. “Smart move.”

Deacon’s lip twitches. “I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.”

Lex forces a tight smile and puts an arm around her shoulder again, giving her an affectionate squeeze. “I’m positive we will. She’s too lovely not to be.”

Deacon’s smile grows viciously wider. “She certainly is lovely. Especially that sweet, tasty pussy of hers.”

I choke on a cough. Well, this just got X-rated.

“Motherfucker,” Bane steps around me, possibly to take part in what is likely going to be a very public throw down. Poor Amie. She’s too hot for her own good.

Lex has already slapped his palm around the back of the panty-chewing, pussy-loving pervert’s neck again. “You just couldn’t keep your mouth shut, had to have the last word.” He cocks a fist and punches Deacon square in the chest while still holding him by the neck. If Deacon could stumble back, he would. But Lex is keeping him firmly in place.

Amie covers her mouth with a palm, eyes wide with horror.

As entertaining as this is, it’s definitely not the kind of scene we need. This community loves their scandals, and Amie certainly doesn’t need one with her wedding coming up and her fiancé not even present tonight.

Amie glances around to see how many people have noticed. We’re tucked away in a corner, and there’s a huge table with a chocolate fountain blocking most of the view, thank God.

“Lex,” Bane snaps.

Lex must realize that he’s making the problem worse, instead of better. He throws his arm around Deacon and slaps him on the chest a couple of times, laughing, as if he’s told some hilarious joke.

Any attention we’ve drawn abates as the men close the circle, obstructing Lex and Deacon further from view.

“You should apologize to my fiancée, that was disrespectful.” Lex releases Deacon and steps away, raising his hands slightly as he regards Bancroft with an I-did-nothing-wrong look, then turns to Amie. “Why don’t you give me the rundown before the auction starts, sweetheart?”

She still looks a little shocked by the whole thing.

Snapping out of her daze she straightens. “Yes. Yes, that would be a good idea.”

Lex takes a step toward her, kicking something on the floor. He snatches it up, frowning as he inspects it. I recognize it as the little fabric square that had been peeking out of Deacon’s man satchel.

Except it’s not a pocket square. It’s a pair of panties.