“I guess Estate Styles’latest model is kind of a diva?”
“Kind of?” I laughed at Lou’s understatement. “Let’s get some drinks.” I guided Lou downstairs to the bar, and we watched a redheaded woman ranting at the guy as she dragged the wayward viscount through the venue.
ChapterSeventeen
Louis
Louisa
As I watched Sienna stomp around the place issuing orders to people and snapping at the viscount guy who was doing his best to push all of her buttons, I wished I could’ve been more helpful.
While I wanted to be present with Eric since we were technically on a date, I also wanted to go over and boot Augustus in the balls. Anything that would wipe away the smug smirk that seemed to be permanently etched on his face. I absently sipped my drink as I glared at his stylishly-suited, sharp-jawed, too-perfectly-handsome, royal profile. Did he think he could use his privilege to be a complete asshole to my best friend?
“Oh, Lou-Lou?” Eric whispered from behind me.
I relaxed my shoulders as his hands cupped them. I sighed when his lips touched my bare skin oh, so lightly.
“There you are.” Eric turned me around and pulled me against him. “Ignore him and be with me.”
He was right, of course. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to ruin our night.”
“It’s Christmas Eve in London, and I’m with my favorite woman. You can’t ruin our night. You also can’t fix whatever’s going on with them.”
I sighed. “I know I can’t. I can’t rescue people all the time, can I?”
“Nope.”
I discarded my drink in favor of pulling Eric closer to me. His hands wandered over the sides of my body, and I took my time to admire him in his tux. It wasn’t the first time I’d shamelessly checked him out tonight. He didn’t dress up as often as Tate since his line of work didn’t call for it. “It’s certainly true what they say about a man in a well-tailored suit.”
“What do they say, and who arethey?” Eric asked.
I twisted my mouth as I thought about my answer. “I’m not exactly sure whotheyare. But they say how a man in a well-tailored suit turns us ladies on as much as a woman in lingerie turns men on.”
“Hmm. So what are you wearing under here, sweetheart?” I felt Eric’s hand move to my buttocks.
“That’s your Christmas Eve surprise.” I went to kiss him, but we were interrupted by Cruz.
“Eric, is it? It’s cool to see you at the Estate Styles’ Charity Gala. Are you here to donate, or is this simply a new and exciting place for you to fuck your woman in?” With an arrogant smirk, the Mad Lurchers’ front man slowly waved the donation tin in front of us.
I felt my cheeks burning as Eric cleared his throat.
“Not at all. I have my donation right here.” My fireman drew his wallet from one of his pants pockets and pulled out a check.
Before he could drop it into the tin, Cruz snatched it from him and read the amount. “This is a generous donation.”
Eric smiled. “Thank you.”
“It isn’t going to bounce, is it?”
Eric’s smile fell. “Do you know my family?”
“No. Should I?”
Eric bit his tongue. I knew he wasn’t one to brag about his wealth and only ever wanted to use it for the betterment of others.
I rolled my eyes. “The check is not going to bounce. So, anyway, what are you doing here exactly?”
Cruz lolled his face toward me. “Who are you, the crowd police?”