The whole way to the party, Slade touches and fiddles with every damn button, lever, and nob he can get his hands on despite the Dodge being exactly the same as his old one, but who am I to judge or take away his excitement? I love seeing him like this. It’s the little things in life, I guess.
Slade and I have been through all sorts of hell together and it seems that every step we take just puts us further into the red zone so if something as simple as a new car can make him forget the harsh realities of our lives, then I’m all for it.
By the time we get to the party, it’s in full swing. People are enjoying life, having a great time, and living to their absolute fullest. I get welcomed in with wide-open arms after not seeing most of these people in three weeks.
Drinks are thrust toward my hands but I shake them off. I’m still on a few pain meds and am not allowed to drink for a while but that’s no problem for me. The last time I was drinking, shit went south and I don’t want to have a foggy mind like that ever again, or at least until all this bullshit is over. Once that happens, I’ll be fine to start letting loose, but I need to play this smart. Twice now Lucien has made a move and both times, I’d had too much to drink.
I make my way around with Slade trailing behind me, but it doesn’t last long as he gets pulled away by some guys on the team. I find Nessa hanging out with a few of her girlfriends and she instantly pulls away. “Where the hell have you been? I thought you guys would have been here ages ago.”
“Yeah, Slade just had something to show me first.”
“Ugh, I don’t want to hear about how you and Slade played hide the sausage before coming here.”
I laugh. “No, really. He got his new truck and he was all excited about it, but you know, we played hide the sausage too.”
Nessa rolls her eyes and after pulling me out through the back door, we find Damian, the center of attention as he struts around in nothing but a pair of low riding speedos, sunglasses and a whistle, looking like the yummiest lifeguard I’ve ever seen, despite there not being a pool on this property.
Nessa instantly starts drooling. “Is it wrong that turns me on?” she groans low.
I shake my head, my eyes trailing up and down that tall drink of sun-tanned goodness knowing there’s no way in hell Slade would ever approve of this. “Not in the slightest.”
As if feeling our gazes on his perky ass, he turns around, showing off something else entirely. He stands still and it’s almost as though he’s posing, allowing us a short moment to take him in. He reaches up, lowers the sunglasses down his nose and winks.
“Oh, no,” Nessa sighs just seconds before Damian starts strutting this way.
“You’re fucked,” I laugh. “I hope you’ve been maintaining your lady garden because there’s no way in hell you’ll be avoiding him tonight.”
“I need a drink.”
Damian steps up in front of us and within the blink of an eye, somehow squeezes between us, throwing an arm over each of our shoulders. He pulls me in tight to his side and presses an adoring kiss to my temple, his silent way of checking in. I don’t need to say or do anything for him to understand my response – get your filthy lips off me.
Damian turns his attention on Nessa who’s happily standing at his other side. “Where have you been hiding all night?”
“Basically anywhere that you’re not.”
“Yeah, I got that.”
“Damian,” she sighs, looking up at him and waiting for his eyes to meet hers. “What the fuck are you wearing?”
He sucks in a breath, having the nerve to appear offended. “I’m just doing my civic duty for our community. After all, it’s my fault that girls everywhere are drowning in soaking wet pools of desire. It’s only fair that I offer my assistance.”
She narrows her eyes at him. “So, you plan on sleeping your way through this party?”
He shakes his head. “I could but right now, there’s only one who looks like she needs my help.”
Nessa’s eyes remain locked on his and something passes between them that has Damian’s arm falling off my shoulder and me desperately wanting to step away. He crowds her, his eyes slowly traveling up and down her body, making her chest rise and fall in rapid movements. “What do you say, Hera? You want to play.”
She considers him a moment, fire in her eyes and desire showing in the way she presses into him. She’s a goner. There’s only so long a woman would be able to resist Damian’s charms, especially when he’s coming at her full force and using nicknames like Hera – Queen of the Gods. “Okay,” she finally whispers, raising her chin and hovering her lips just in front of his. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”