“Can you breathe in that thing?” Eva, the betrothed, asks me, obviously noticing my discomfort.

I grin and pant my reply. “Barely. Mom picked it out.”

She giggles and runs her hands down the front of her cherry-red sheath. It’s a stark contrast to her blonde hair, crystal blue eyes, and pale skin. She looks phenomenal, like a young Charlize Theron. Bitch. “Oh, so it wasn’t your choice to dress like a prostitute. I should have known.”

The bodice of the dress is so tight that my boobs are squeezed together and on full display. I feel like a tube of toothpaste someone has rolled up to get the last bit out. Low neckline, skintight jersey material, sky high heels. Yep, I definitely look the part of a Hollywood Boulevard street-walker. With a critical eye, I do a half-twirl in the mirror. But a classy one, so there’s the silver lining.

“I’m glad Mom suggested that dress. It’s hot as fuck, and all of Damon’s friends have been drooling over themselves watching you shake your ass on the dance floor.”

“I doubt that. Besides, I’m not really shaking my ass. This fabric doesn’t have enough give to make that movement possible.” I pull out a lip gloss and slide the wand over my lips, smacking them together.

“I was hoping you would have brought a date tonight. Nothing happening with Ollie?” Eva lifts an eyebrow, her lips curled into a smirk.

I ball up a tissue and toss it at her. “Jesus, you don’t quit. There’s nothing going on between us.”

“Sure, that’s what you say. But I guarantee what’s going on in his huge geeky brain is very different, and it includes you dressed in a chain bikini with a dog leash around your neck and a light saber in your hand, Princess.”

“You have a sick mind. Do I want to know what the light saber would be used for?”

She lets out a sinister chuckle. “I don’t know, do you? Because I can paint a very colorful picture for you.”

There are so many X-rated possibilities I’d like to explore. And the guy I want wielding that light saber is definitely not Ollie. “We’re colleagues, Eva. Nothing more.”

She lets out a sigh. “Why? Are you afraid of something that might actually be good for you? A guy who might not be a complete jackass, who doesn’t have any baggage, who isn’t in the whole Hollywood scene, who actually displays a degree of stability?”

I roll my eyes. “You really are a fabulous litigator, you know that? I mean, you don’t quit for anything!”

“Stop changing the subject.”

“Look, he’s a good guy, but there’s just no spark, okay? And you need the damn spark!”

“The spark is overrated.”

“Says the woman getting married to the love of her life.”

“I’m not saying I don’t adore Damon. Or denying that we have amazingly hot sex. I’m just saying if you give something a fair shot, you might ignite the spark. It doesn’t always start with a fireworks display, but it can move in that direction if you’re open to it.”

I sink onto a couch, my fingers digging into my clutch bag. “Is it so bad that I want the whole Fourth of July thing right at the beginning? I don’t want to go into something feeling lukewarm with the hope that it’ll get hotter one day at a time.” I press my fingers to my temples. “That doesn’t sound like much fun. And I don’t want to settle.”

“I just want you to be happy, sweetie.” Eva kneels in front of me, and I furrow my brow.

“How are you kneeling right now? I didn’t think your body would fold in that dress.”

She flashes a grin. “Yeah, well, you may need to help me get up. I didn’t think this whole thing through very carefully.”

I grasp her hands and squeeze. “You’re an amazing woman. Damon is the luckiest guy on the planet, and he knows it, too.”

“Thanks.” She winks. “Now, get me off this floor so we can get a drink! We’re going to need about five each before Dad shows up with Boobie.”

“You mean Bobbie.”

“Yeah, whatever. Like nobody’s ever made that mistake before.”

* * *

I rub the back of my neck, staring up at the Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica, knowing I need to head into the party, but unable to convince my feet to get moving. The knot is rebelling, and shooting pains are attacking each vertebra along my spine. The more anxious I get, the more stress I put on my body. I’m surprised I haven’t snapped in half yet.

Shit is starting to go sideways. Five years in the clink have made my brain soggy. Why did I think making Ariana’s client an accessory to my own personal quest for justice was a good plan? And how in the fuck did Ollie screw up the surveillance? It was the one thing he needed to deliver. All his excuses about remote access and firewalls and encryption went completely over my head, but the bottom line is we still need to get inside of Conlon’s office. Ariana is the missing link. And if her client had kept her legs closed to begin with, I wouldn’t have had to come knocking.

But I did, and now I can’t stop thinking about the one woman I need to forget.

I rake a hand through my hair. Christ, what the hell am I even doing here? Hey, everyone, this is my dad, the dishonorably discharged FBI agent-slash-ex-con. Who wouldn’t want to marry into that family? A frustrated sigh escapes my lips. This isn’t about me. Tonight is for Damon and his fiancée. I have a lot to make up for, and it all starts now. I glance at my watch, not wanting to go into the party a second earlier than I have to. I can lose myself in the crowd, fly under the radar, have a couple of drinks, and get the fuck out. Just like a ghost. There, but not there.

“Jeff!”

I jump, twisting in the direction of the high-pitched voice invading my thoughts.

“You’d better not be thinking of doing anything other than walking through that revolving door.” I sigh. Of course, it’s Kate, always making an entrance, even for her only son’s wedding shower. She stops in front of me, hands on her hips.

“I was just waiting for you. I figured you’d be fashionably late.”

She rolls her eyes. “Sure you were. Just get the hell inside. No disappearing acts tonight. This is too important to him.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” I hold out my arm and she links hers through mine. “How the hell am I supposed to be invisible with you hanging on me looking like that?”

“If that’s supposed to be a compliment, I’d say you need to work on your delivery.” She pats my hand. “But, thanks. By the way, I heard about your little meeting in the park.” Kate leads me toward an elevator bank. We must really be late, since there aren’t any other partygoers joining us as the doors open. She pulls away and walks through the open doors.

I fix my jacket and shrug. “I know you don’t believe this, Kate, but he’s really important to me. You both are, which I shouldn’t even have to tell you.”

“People who act like they care don’t get called out on their behavior,” she snaps. Her shoulders deflate and she raises both hands in a truce. “No. I’m not doing this tonight. You’re here, and that’s what matters.”

Something tells me I’ll have plenty of opportunities tonight to try and convince Kate that I’m not a heartless fuck, so I let it go. “You didn’t bring a date.”

Her glossed lips curl into a half-grin and she shakes her long, red hair over her shoulder. “My date is actually away on business. He was going to fly in early to come tonight, but I didn’t want Damon to meet him at the same time his future in-laws do. It’s not the right time or place.”

My chest tightens. I was always a crappy husband and father, so why I feel the least bit disturbed about some other guy fucking my ex-wife is a mystery to me. Our divorce was a long time coming, and being sent to prison was the straw that broke the camel’s back. “He’s a lucky guy,” I choke out. And he is. Kate is gorgeous, with her tall, lithe figure, peach cream skin, and bright blue eyes. She’s a marathon runner, so she’s always stayed thin and toned, with a stamina that served us well in the bedroom. But that was many moons ago. I’m glad she’s happy. Kind of.

A smile lights up her face. “Thank you. Things are really good right now.” Her fingers wind around my arm. “And speaking of being happy, you need to meet Eva, Damon’s fiancée. She’s an incredible woman, absolutely adorable, and a shark in the courtroom.”

“Another lawyer, huh?”

“That’s how they met. Opposing counsel.”

I take a lot of pride in my son’s work. When he was a little boy, we always talked about being on the same side of justice – me finding the criminals, him putting them away. But in recent years, the lines have gotten a little blurred, and I’m no longer sure what side of justice I stand on these days.

I pull open the ballroom door and scan the dimmed room at the smiling, happy faces. Kate leads me into the center of the room, where I catch a glimpse of Damon with his arm around a giggling blonde. But it’s the woman standing to her left that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand at attention. Luscious tits, curves for days, tight, toned legs I want to feel wrapped around me as I drive into her. Ariana Carlson.

You have got to be fucking kidding me.

My sole objective has immediately gone from playing the role of dutiful and charming dad to protecting my very questionable cover.

As we weave through the tables and guests, Ariana moves her head just enough to lock gazes with me. Her mouth drops open and then snaps shut. Panic is etched onto her face. Maybe she thinks she’s about to get another eyeful of porn. At her own sister’s shower. Her eyes narrow as we approach, her body stiff as a board. I can definitely do something about that.

Damon turns toward us. “Mom, Dad, you’re here.” He grasps Eva’s hand. “Eva, this is my father, Jeff.”

I drag my eyes away from Ariana’s shocked ones and lean in to brush my lips against Eva’s cheek. “It’s great to finally meet you. Congratulations.”

Damon claps me on the back, and puts an arm around Ariana. “And this is Eva’s sister, Ariana. She runs her own PR firm in town. I’m actually glad you were able to fit this in tonight with all the A-listers you have to handle.” He winks at her and she manages to smile back.

I stick out a hand and Ariana grasps it after a moment’s hesitation. The jolt that makes a beeline for my groin is a little disconcerting, to say the least. It’s a handshake, for fuck’s sake. “Pleasure to meet you.”

“Likewise,” she murmurs, yanking her hand away. She averts her eyes, something I’ve noticed she does a lot when she wants to hide what’s lurking behind them. But this time I need to know. I want to see what she’s trying to hide.

“Very impressive,” Kate says, edging between us. It’s a territorial move, and a confusing one at that, considering she made it very clear years ago that I was an unfit husband not worthy of her time or her pussy. But her body language sure ain’t singing that song right now, not with her ass rubbing against my cock. “Being an entrepreneur out here takes a lot of hard work. Good for you.”

Ariana clears her throat. “Thanks. I’ve been pretty lucky. And yes, my clients definitely keep me busy.” Her eyes skate back toward mine, and I can feel Kate slide even closer to me. “Fortunately, things are pretty calm right now.”

“Until you see the papers tomorrow.” Damon chuckles, and Eva nudges him.

“I don’t sleep very well most nights.” Ariana takes a gulp of champagne from the flute clutched in her hand. “Occupational hazard.”

I’d like to be the reason she loses a few hours’ sleep…

But first, I need a drink. Or five. And I need Kate to step away from my dick.

Eva links her arm with mine. “Come on, Jeff. Let’s hit the bar. Looks like you can use a drink. Am I right?”

The kid’s a charmer, that’s for sure. I can tell right away that she’ll be great for Damon. One thing I’ve always prided myself on is the ability to read other people. It’s worked for me ninety-nine percent of the time. It’s that other one percent that continues to haunt me.

In the meantime, I’m going to get to know my future daughter-in-law.

Eva surveys the group. “Ari, you’re dry, too. Let’s go. Anyone else?”

“I’m going to introduce Mom to some of the guys from work,” Damon says, putting an arm around Kate’s shoulders. Her eyes flicker with something I can’t quite read, and I swear I can see sparks fly out as she gives Ariana a once-over. What the fuck? I’ll never understand women. She’s the one who left me. She’s the one who’s getting fucked six ways to Sunday by her new boy-toy. I’m missing something. Seems like that’s been happening more than I like lately.

Eva leads me to the single open area of the bar. She turns to me, a mischievous sparkle in her bright eyes. “So, what are you having? Oh wait! Let me guess. Scotch man, right?”

I smirk. “Looks like you’ve got me all figured out. I don’t know if I should be impressed or scared.”

She giggles. “Damon gave me a heads-up. Ari, more champagne?”

I feel the warmth of Ariana’s body next to me, a cloud of some intoxicating scent swarming around my head, and I’m already half-drunk with lust.

Eva hands us our drinks. “Cheers, guys. Jeff, I’m so happy to finally meet you.” She takes a long sip of her champagne, her penetrating gaze focused on me.

I take a quick gulp of the amber-colored liquid and let it burn a slow path to my stomach. Something tells me she and her sister have something in common, and I need to be prepared.

“So, Damon tells me you’re a private investigator now. What’s that like? Do you track lots of criminals? Or is it mainly cheating husbands?”

I sip my scotch, noticing Ariana studying me out of the corner of my eye. Her eyes narrow, and I know she’s suspicious. My bullshit diatribes have been pretty outrageous, and she’s not buying what I’m not selling. Just like I said, smart girl. “My cases aren’t of the domestic variety. There’s plenty of cheating out here, but most of the time, the tabloids do a good enough job of airing celebrity dirty laundry. They don’t really need a PI nosing around for dirt.”

Eva giggles and sips her champagne. “Okay, so you’re more about catching the real low-lifes.”

“I’m more about making sure justice is served, especially when others who are supposed to be on the right side of the law aren’t carrying out their mission.” Like those assholes at the FBI. My former brethren. The ones who kicked my ass to the curb for doing my job because it interfered with their own personal financial well-being. Guess what, asswipes? You didn’t stop me. You can’t stop me.

“So you’re kind of a vigilante. That’s hot.” Ariana finally speaks up, a tiny smile tugging the corners of her shiny pink lips upward. I catch the look on Eva’s face, and fight a smirk. It’s kind of a cross between shock and relief.

“It’s definitely respectable. Too many organizations are on the take these days, and they’re forgetting their real purpose. There’s so much corruption out there. Although, I have to ask you not to share any details, considering I am a lawyer and all.” Eva winks. “If I ever have to defend you one day, I can’t know anything illegal you’ve done in the name of justice.”

Ariana has already finished her champagne and grabbed another flute off a nearby tray. Her eyes are glued to me, and I can tell they are desperate to peel back every layer. But as much as she thinks she wants to hear more, she won’t be able to handle it. Neither would most people. What I do is suicide for pretty much any kind of relationship. Case in point – Kate and me.

“Maybe it’s time for you to do some mingling then, you know, just in case he starts to let things slip.” Ariana turns toward her sister with a conspiratorial smile. “You’ve got lots of guests here who want to meet Damon. I’ll keep your future father-in-law occupied.”

Eva’s mouth drops, her eyes wide. I take it this isn’t normal, expected behavior for Ariana, and I fucking love it. “Um, sure. You’re right.” She lets out a forced laugh. “I’d hate to have anything on my conscience, tonight of all nights.” She gives me a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank you so much for coming tonight.”

It hasn’t happened yet, but fuck me sideways, I’m open to the possibility.

Ariana downs the rest of her champagne and hops onto an available barstool behind her. She struggles slightly with the effort, and I suspect it’s because she doesn’t have much mobility in the dress she’s wearing. The one I’d like to tear from her body right about now.

“Vigilante, huh?” She twists a loose curl around her finger.

“I never said that.”

“But you didn’t deny it, either. You’re like Daredevil, taking it upon yourself to make criminals pay because the authorities are too shady and can’t be trusted.”

“I’m not a lawyer. And I’m not blind.”

“Yeah, but you’re principled. I can tell.”

“How do you know that?”

“I’m a pretty good judge of character. I have to be, you know? I can’t just take on any client. The really high maintenance ones aren’t worth the aggravation. I do my research, and I know which ones will be the most work for me. The ones I pass over are the ones I know won’t play by my rules.”

“So you have rules.”

“Mm-hm.” Her voice drops, eyes hooded. “I have lots of rules. And if you violate even one, you’re out.”

Her voice is filled with innuendo, courtesy of the champagne, and if I had my way, she’d be naked on that bar right now, open wide and begging me to plow into her. Yeah, right about now, all rules would be out the window.

It takes every ounce of restraint in me to keep my hands from fisting her hair and my lips from tasting her sweet-smelling neck. She’s Damon’s future sister-in-law, for fuck’s sake. I’m already in too deep, which shocks the hell out of me. And I’m sure she has a father somewhere around here who’d love nothing more than to kick my ass for even letting these thoughts linger. She could be my kid. I throw back the rest of my scotch before I say some shit I’m going to regret.

“Ari!” A tall woman with a waif-like body wrapped like a mummy and a nasally voice swoops in from out of nowhere. “We need you for pictures, darling.” She turns toward me with an inquisitive stare, a carbon copy of Eva. The mother of the bride. Fabulous. This can’t get any better. “I’m Angeline, Ariana’s mother. And you are?”

“Jeff, Damon’s father.” I take her hand and brush it against my lips. I can be a motherfucker, but I know my place as a gentleman. And it’s not lost on Angeline. I swear I can see her nipples pebble under that flimsy dress when I release her hand. Either the tits are fake or it’s been awhile since she’s had any part of her body against a man’s mouth. I’m thinking it’s the latter.

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet the elusive private investigator.” She flashes what I suppose is meant to be a seductive smile, but I kind of read it as a take-me-into-a-coat-closet-right-now-and-fuck-me-senseless smile.

This whole private investigator thing seems to be the story of the night. I can deal with that, since it’s almost true. Shades of the truth are what landed me in prison in the first place, and now that I’m finally out, those same shades are going to set me free.

“Mom, didn’t you say we needed to take some pictures?” Ariana hops off the barstool and grips her mother’s arm.

“Well, yes, but I’d feel terrible leaving Jeff here by himself. He doesn’t know anybody.” Angeline’s eyes are glued to me, almost begging me to agree. In another life, her plump lips might have fit nicely around my cock. She’d have given a good show. That much I can tell from the way she’s managed to press herself against me, in a space that doesn’t really warrant actual touching. The woman clearly needs to be fucked against a wall and then bent over a couch. Sorry, Mom. I’m gonna have to pass because I want your daughter.

“I’ll be fine.” I return her smile as Kate sidles up to us.

“Angeline, it’s so nice to see you again.” Air kisses all around. What the fuck is that all about? I’ve never understood the purpose.

“Kate! You look gorgeous!” Angeline exclaims. “I love your dress.”

“Thank you.” Kate nods at me. “I see you’ve been well-taken care of, not that I doubted you’d be on your own too long.”

“I’m a good mingler.” I wink at her. Angeline looks about ready to pounce on me, and Ariana pushes past her, stumbling into a chair in her haste to get her mother away from me. Nice. She’s jealous.

Angeline waves as Ariana drags her by the arm. “We’ll be back!”

Kate waves and lets out a little laugh before turning back to me with a roll of her eyes. “That woman is as fake as her tits and hair.”

“What’s your beef with her?”

“I just don’t care much for people who aren’t genuine. People who think they’re better than everyone else. People like that always have something to hide. I don’t trust her as far as I can throw her. And that daughter of hers—“

My skin prickles at the mention of Ariana. “You’ve got an issue with her, too?”

“She was hanging all over you, Jeff. Guzzling champagne like an alcoholic. I thought she was supposed to be some PR powerhouse. Or maybe that’s just how they do business.”

“What difference does it make? I thought you’d be happy we’re all getting along.” I nudge her. “You’re wound pretty tight. I think you can use a drink, too.”

“I’m fine,” she huffs. “I just don’t think it’s appropriate for them to be fawning all over you like that.”

“Relax. We’re just getting to know each other. You wanted me here, remember?”

She rubs the back of her neck. “I know. I guess I’m just a little stressed. I don’t want anyone to find out the truth about you being in prison, and I feel like the more they dig around, the more of a risk it becomes. And we can’t do that to Damon. Our dirty laundry is ours, not his.”

The goddamned noose around my neck gets tighter and tighter every day. Damon’s career, his whole future, would be in jeopardy if anyone knew the truth. Any association to my work would crush him, and I’ll do everything in my power to keep him away from my dealings. I grab a champagne flute from a nearby waiter’s tray. “Drink this and stop worrying. It’s our secret. Nobody will ever find out.”

* * *

The night can’t end fast enough.

Snip, snip, snip. That’s all that came out of my mother’s mouth every time my ear was close enough for her to hiss into it. Yapping about the food, how the lettuce in our salads was tinged with brown, how the pasta was undercooked, how the porterhouse was horribly overdone and resembled Payless shoe leather - which, how would she even know - how the hotel was stingy with the hors d’oeuvres and the champagne…a fact which I personally cannot vouch for, as I’m pleasantly blitzed off of said champagne.

Blah, blah, blah.

The only time she had something nice to say was when she was fawning all over Jeff. I had to keep my distance because her blatant flirting was nauseating and borderline inappropriate; especially if you count the thousand times she rubbed her ass against his cock. It didn’t seem to bother him, though.

He never fucking walked away. In fact, he pretty much stayed in that same spot for the entire party. I know Damon’s family is pretty much nonexistent, but—

Wait. I run a hand through my hair. Let’s back up for a minute here. Jeff is Damon’s dad. That sexy as fuck Greek god of a man is Eva’s future father-in-law. I chomp on my lower lip, watching some blonde bimbo, who's drunk off her ass, practically yank off his belt. I give her five seconds before she falls to her knees and begs to suck his dick, right there at the bar.

Mmm. I’d happily tear out her extensions to take that spot right about now. A tiny smile tugs at my lips, and in my daze, I forget to avert my eyes. I’m caught.

Dammit, dammit, dammit!

His head twists in my direction, his eyes paralyzing me, rendering my quivering legs immobile. A seductive grin lights up his dark features, his gaze is so inviting…inviting me where? To do what? Oh God, tell me please. Tell me everything I need to know! Tell me how you want—

“Ari!” Perfect timing, Damon. I’m about to undress your dad and suck his hard cock in my sick, alcohol-induced fantasy. He and Eva walk over, all smiles, all wrapped up in each other, PDA central. I almost throw up in my mouth a little, but in all fairness, I think it’s the shoe leather coming up on me.

“Is Mom gone yet?” Eva looks around the room, but Angeline is nowhere to be seen. “I’d say she probably made a play for your dad, but he’s still at the bar. Alone. Aside from the many attempts by my friend Jesi from work.” She giggles and shakes her head.

“Are you saying there’s something wrong with a guy who doesn’t want to tap her skanky ass?” I shake my hair over my shoulders, catching a concerned glance from Damon.

“She’s not all that skanky. But I think my dad just wants to lay low right now. You know, his business has been really busy recently. Getting involved with anyone probably isn’t a great move, not when he’s got so many clients to handle.” He looks away, twisting in Jeff’s direction.

“Well, if he’s interested, Mom certainly is the smitten kitten. And now that she’s got that tight new ass, you know she’s looking for any excuse to strip out of her clothes.” I let out a snort. Why the hell am I being so territorial? I don’t have any claims to him, except for the ones in my twisted mind. But, oh God, do I want to see him naked, to feel those lips singe every inch of my body, to writhe under his muscular body.

Eva links her arm with mine. “Come on, I’ll walk you upstairs.”

“Come on, E! It’s your night. Go with Damon and have lots of dirty, nasty sex.” I hiccup and clap a hand over my mouth. “Excuse me,” I mumble. “I’m good on my own. Promise.”

With a lift of her eyebrow, Eva gives me a good hard stare. “You’re drunk. You shouldn’t be wandering around here by yourself.”

I wave my hand around. “Look at all the people still here. Nobody will come near me, okay? I promise. I’m going to say my goodbyes and then head upstairs.”

They exchange a look. It’s a long one. Or maybe it just feels long because I’m so anxious to get out of here.

“Guys, I’m not a baby. I handle pretty serious shit on a daily basis. I’m capable of getting on an elevator.” In my periphery, I catch Jeff excusing himself from the whore plastered against him. My heart thuds, the force shuddering inside my body. He’s leaving? He’s leaving!

Eva tosses a glance over her shoulder. “Sweetie, we should say goodnight to your dad before we head up.”

He slings an arm over her shoulder. “Sure. Let’s go. Night, Ari.”

I give them both quick hugs and watch them walk toward the bar. I want so badly to go with them, to mentally telepathize my desire for Jeff…and my room number, of course.

Argh! He’s going to be family, for chrissakes! Not exactly mine, but still. And he’s a man, like a real man. Definitely not a boy. Maybe that’s my problem. Boys know what girls want, but men? They know what women want. And he’s fucking hot, too.

The alcohol is making me think things; devious and deviant things that make my knees quiver and my panties wet. And I have nobody to act them out with. Sonofabitch.

I fumble around in my clutch bag to make sure my key is still tucked into the center compartment. I knew I’d be too inebriated to drive myself home, and you know what? Fuck it, I need a change of scenery. And an empty bed. I’m used to that, anyway.

“Ariana.”

A smooth voice jolts me and I look up to find Kate’s smiling face in front of me.

“Oh, hi, Kate. Still partying?” I force a smile. Something about this woman irks the shit out of me, but I can’t put my finger on it.

She lets out a laugh that’s one hundred and fifty percent fake and shakes her head. “No, I’m on my way out, but I just wanted to say goodnight. It was so nice meeting you.”

“Likewise.” I flash a toothy grin and lean in for a double air kiss. Stupidest thing on the planet. I don’t know who came up with it. Probably some stuck-up bitch germaphobe. “I look forward to seeing you again soon.” Not really.

“Aren’t you sweet?” She grazes my arm with a smile and a look that in no way matches the sentiment. “Get home safe.”

I nod because she doesn’t really need to know I would most definitely not be safe if I were driving my drunk ass home. And even in my current state, I can tell there’s something up with her. Maybe it’s not personal. Maybe she’s just a bitch.

I pick up a near-empty champagne flute and drain it.

“Sweetie, have you seen Bobbie?”

Oh God, when will this end?

“Hey, Daddy. No, I haven’t seen her. I was just about to head upstairs.” Don’t worry, though, you just bought her new boobs. I’m sure she’ll stick around long enough to get a new ass, too.

“Your mother…” His voice trails off and he shakes his head.

“Did I miss something?”

“She was all over Damon’s father earlier. You must have seen it.”

Of course, I’d seen it. Everybody had seen it. Maybe that’s why Kate was so pissed off. Maybe she still has a thing for her ex. A tiny shiver runs through me. The guy is so far off-limits, but it only makes me want him more. “You know how she is. I’m sure it was just harmless flirting.” And that harmless flirting would be taken to a completely different level if her innocent propositions had been accepted. Clearly, they had not, since Jeff is still here and Mom is…hey, wait a minute. Did she even say goodbye?

“She made a complete fool of herself,” he snips.

“Did she?” The tone of my voice gets higher, as if I’m really contemplating this situation. I tap my mouth with one finger. “She’s a single woman, he’s a single man. I don’t know, I think that’s appropriate; definitely more than the husband who chooses his secretary over his wife and kids.” Uh oh. That champagne is definitely taking over my fogged up mind.

His eyes narrow at me, his lips twisting into a grimace. Screw it, I don’t care. He paraded that whore around for months and months until they finally broke up. Not that he came back to us. He just found some other tight piece of ass to fuck. And so the story continues with Boobie. Bobbie, damn it!

Alcohol is so much more effective than therapy. I struggled for so long to say these words to my dad, and tonight it only took me half a case of champagne to spew them. They just flew out of my mouth as easily as a “hello” or “goodbye.”

“I don’t appreciate the sarcasm, Ariana.”

I wink at him. “I know. That’s why I didn’t use any.”

And then the stars align because I’m rescued for the moment. Bobbie stumbles over and grabs my dad’s shoulders for balance, her overly made-up eyes bloodshot. Jesus, maybe the woman should eat a sandwich once in a while to bulk up, so the alcohol doesn’t go straight to her head. She’s a waif that drinks like she’s a line backer. “Is-s it time to go yet, s-sweetie?” she slurs.

I bite back a smile. If she doesn’t puke all over his new Cadillac, she’s definitely going to pass out as soon as her head hits the pillow. Sorry, Dad. No nookie tonight.

“Yes,” my father says, still glowering at me. Tomorrow, I may remember and have to make an apology. If I remember. And if I care enough. Both are doubtful at this point.

“Night, Daddy. Night, Bobbie,” I say in a sing-song voice. God, I can’t wait to fall into the plush bed upstairs that I won’t have to make in the morning. My head starts to spin, and it’s definitely time to go. I wave as Dad leads Bobbie out the door, not that he looks back to see it. Whatever. He destroyed our family. He doesn’t deserve respect for that.

I smooth back my hair and head toward the ballroom door. Kate is still standing next to Jeff. I wonder if they’ll leave together. She seems to be trying to cozy up to him, but he’s keeping his distance. I scurry past to avoid anyone else who might want to stop for a quick chat. I’ve done enough of that tonight, and if it’s one thing I hate, its making small talk. Every conversation I have has a purpose, so this kind of thing makes me crazy. I always feel like I have something more important to do. Maybe that makes me a bitch.

Not maybe, definitely.

My heels click on the marble tiled floor of the lobby. The crowds have dispersed, and the sound echoes throughout the room. There isn’t anyone standing behind the reception desk. Good thing I don’t need a room right now. Sometimes it pays to plan.

I round the corner to the elevator bank and stab the Up button, my thoughts returning to Jeff as I step inside. Dammit, why do I have to be so stuck on him and the way his eyes crinkle at the corners when he smiles in that deliciously deviant way? Everything about him exudes confidence and control. He’s smooth, seductive as all hell.

But lusting after him needs to stop. Forget that he’s got to be about thirty years older than me and as old as my dad…ewww, I don’t want to think about my dad right now…

Ding!

My shoulders sag and I slink toward my room, grateful to be away from the circus that is my family. I pull out my key and swipe it over the lock. The light flashes red. I press it to the lock. Red again…and again…and again. Motherfucker. I pound my fist on the door and let out a growl.

“That lock giving you trouble?”

My spine stiffens, the low gruff voice behind me sending tingles over my bare skin. I turn slowly, so as not to appear too eager, and so I don’t topple out of my very high heels. I’m still pretty boozed up, though some parts of me are extremely alert at this very second. “My key isn’t working.”

He puts out his hand. “May I?”

I nod and hand him the credit card shaped piece of plastic.

He swipes. Nothing. He presses. Again, same result.

I’m a tiny bit glad, since I would’ve felt like a complete moron if it’d worked for him. Although then, I’d have had the excuse to invite him inside.

Gah! Enough!

His lips curl upward. “You’re welcome to call the front desk from my room. I’m sure they can bring up a spare.”

I tug at a strand of hair. “It’s kind of late. Are you sure?” Please say yes! Please say yes!

“Definitely. I can’t leave you stranded out here by yourself.” He points to a room three doors down. “Come on.”

He swipes his key and in we go. I follow him into the massive space, deeply entranced by the heady scent surrounding him. I inhale his musky cologne, and the clouds in my mind separate for a brief moment. He shrugs out of his jacket and tosses it onto a chair as he walks over to the phone. I wait for him to move out of the way so I can call, but he turns suddenly, his eyes fixed on mine. I swallow hard past the lump lodged in my throat. His gaze heats every inch of my body from the inside out. A tiny spark in my belly ignites and I lunge for him, pressing my lips to his scotch-tinged ones.

He pulls me close, wrapping his strong arms around me. His fingertips press into the small of my back, and my legs weaken as his cock hardens against me. Good God, I need this. I drink him in, our tongues coiling with need – hot, hungry, and desperate.

Wait! This is crazy!

My body melts into him, hands tangling in his hair as his tongue plunders my needy mouth.

No. Stop thinking, just kiss him. Mm, let him make you feel like you’ve never ever felt before…

Those hands, oh God, they’re so devilish, roaming over my ass and down to my thighs.

He’s going to be family in a few weeks. He’s as old as Dad.

Oh shit. Guess I’m going to hell.

I pull away, gasping for air. “Stop, I can’t…we shouldn’t…

But Jeff says nothing. It seems like my mind is the one doing all the talking.

His eyes are dark with lust, but there’s an amused twinkle in the depths. He starts unbuttoning his shirt, never breaking his gaze. My breath hitches as he slides it off. Those abs. Jesus, they’re amazing. I want to touch. I need to feel. My fingers twitch for a chance to trace the outline. His fingers move to his belt buckle, the muscles in his biceps flexing as he unfastens the belt and pulls it off.

Breathing is just about impossible at this point. This man, that body, fuck the consequences. I need this. Isn’t alcohol supposed to silence the stupid voices? Make me do things that I know I shouldn’t, but that will feel so good I don’t care?

Nothing. No response. My brain has finally turned to mush. Everything is muted. Finally.

“Do you want to make that call now?” The corners of his lips turn upward as he unhooks his pants, so slowly and deliberately. He’s making me crazy right now. And I’m pretty sure he loves watching me watching him. Sick fuck.

Screw it. “No!” I launch myself against him once again, attacking his mouth while his fingers work the zipper of my dress. He slides the straps off my shoulders, never breaking the spell that has me so captivated, and pushes it to the floor, where it pools at my feet. I step out of the dress, but I leave on the heels. Every guy wants to fuck a woman in heels and nothing else. His warm hands massage the places that have been neglected for far too long, and my legs turn to Jell-O. He unhooks my strapless bra with the flick of his fingers, letting it fall to the floor. I gasp when the cool air hits my bare breasts. Then the moaning starts, and dammit if I can help it.

“You’re so fucking beautiful, Ariana,” he growls, flicking one of my nipples, the motion firing every single nerve. I all but lose it from his hands alone. Holy crap. Then those delicious lips move away from mine, leaving me desperate for air from a kiss so deep, so long, so needy, that it ruins me for any other. Yes, it was that intense, and no, I’m not exaggerating. Buzzed as I am, I will remember every dirty, salacious detail, and will replay them all over and over and over.

He dips his head, taking my breast into his mouth, his tongue and teeth working the taut pink bud. It’s gentle at first, but then it gets more harsh. And it makes me wet, so damned wet. Nipple play is definitely a hot button for me. My knees buckle as he kneads my flesh with those strong hands, and then his mouth is on a determined path to something definitively more naughty. My stomach clenches. He lowers himself to his knees, looping his fingers into the elastic G-string and pulls it away from my body. His tongue scorches a path to my abdomen and then beyond.

I rake my fingers through his hair, gripping tightly as his tongue teases my slit, probing the soft folds. My chest heaves as breaths come fast and furious. He nips my clit with his teeth then follows with long strokes that have me ready to collapse on the carpet, writhing with shockwaves coursing through my body. All from the sensations that his masterful tongue has stirred up inside of me.

My heart flutters. Holy fuck, this can only get better.

I press his head against me, my hands urging him to probe deeper. And he takes direction well, very well.

This is wrong. So wrong.

His tongue flicks my now-swollen clit, hands gripping my ass cheeks for leverage. He digs his fingertips into my flesh, making me yelp. Stroking and suckling, the alternating motions making my toes curl inside my heels. I grab his shoulders to steady myself, my body shuddering from the tingles that have since morphed into full-on shock waves crashing over me.

“Oh my God, Jeff,” I whimper.

He wraps his arms around my waist, trailing his fingers up my torso. He rises slowly, still holding me close. “I want you, Ariana.” One hand creeps back down to my quivering pussy and he plunges into me with two thick fingers, eliciting a loud gasp from me. “I want this. Now.” A seductive smirk lifts his lips. “And don’t take off those shoes.”

I nod, breathless, scared, and excited all at the same time. I push his pants and boxers to his ankles and he kicks them away. His cock is hard as an iron fucking rod and so thick, I’m afraid he might split me like a log. Not that I’m complaining. I swallow hard and lick the palm of my hand before gripping him, working his dick with long, hard strokes. Jesus, it turns out he wasn’t even fully hard before. I bite my lip to keep from crying out with glee.

Oh, the anticipation.

“You’re so fucking bad,” he murmurs against my ear, still finger fucking me. “I’m gonna fuck you like the bad girl you are. And I know you want me to. You’re so wet. I think you like being a bad girl. Yeah, you do. I can feel it every time I press into you. I want to feel you all over my dick.”

I’ve never been so turned on. I don’t usually handle the dirty talk too well. Maybe because the tools I’ve been with have never done it right. They sure as shit never made me come this hard from the promise of what’s to come…namely, me.

But Jeff is a fucking pro, and he can feel the impact he’s having on my body. He knows just how to press my buttons; buttons I didn’t even know I had.

I drop to my knees because my legs are just about to give out. I squeeze his dick and stroke it once more before taking it into my mouth. He lets out a low growl, his fingers tangled in my hair, thrusting into my mouth. He’s so big, he hits the back of my throat without too much movement. My gag reflex kicks in, but I squeeze my eyes shut. I need to taste him, need to feel his cock throb as I suck it…just for a minute, before he plunges inside of me and destroys the chances that any poor suckers in the future have with me.

I drag my tongue up and down the shaft, cupping his balls with one hand, gripping his ass with the other. But Jeff doesn’t want my mouth anymore.

His fingers move from the back of my head and tighten around my shoulders, urging me upward. His cock slips from my swollen lips and I rise to meet his gaze; the one that incinerates my insides. My heart hammers against my ribcage, and my pussy throbs. I can’t wait another second, or I might spontaneously combust right here. And that would be a travesty because I wouldn’t get to experience what’s sure to be the most amazing lay of my entire life, past and future.

He reaches over for his overnight bag and fumbles around, pulling out a condom. Tearing off a corner with his teeth, he takes it out and rolls it onto his dick. I bite my lower lip. I know this whole show has taken about five seconds, but it feels like hours are creeping by before his body is plastered against mine again.

I want to sing with joy when he eases me back onto the plush mattress, his lips so soft and sensual. His hand reaches around my torso, caressing the small of my back as he pushes into me, inch by glorious inch. Oh.My.God. His perfect cock fills my pussy, stretching me, forcing me to take him all in. I clamp my muscles, pulling him deeper, and he lets out a low groan against my hair.

Each thrust comes miraculously closer and closer to my spot. His lips are back on my neck, teasing the area behind my ear that drives me insane. My chest heaves against him, and I squeeze with all my might. I never want this to end, but I am desperate, so desperate for release. Our bodies rock against each other in perfect rhythm, both of us close to the edge. His fingers press into my hips as the movements intensify. And that’s when the magic happens…the point where I can’t remember my own name or what planet I live on, when my mind becomes a blank canvas splashed with vibrant colors, and blinding streams of white light flash across my eyes. My body shakes as the tingling that began in the pit of my belly erupts into an unparalleled explosion, firing into every single nerve ending. I’ve never felt more alive in my life.

Nor have I ever been so fucked, figuratively and literally.