Fallen Woman(42)
I looked to Drake in an effort to be polite in front of his associates. “I’m going to run to the restroom. Would you like another drink on my way back?” He eyed me apologetically before asking anyone else if they needed refreshers. At this point, I’d be more than happy to play hostess if it kept me from making out with other women.
My sidekick and I took the refreshment requests and left the room. I escorted her to the bathroom farthest away from the group and introduced myself the second I closed the door behind us.
“I’m Kelly.” She stared at me as though she wanted to say something, so I waited. “Do you have any clue what’s going on out there?”
I shook my head and let my guard down.
“I’ve never been out with Matteo before. He seemed like a nice guy. I had no idea this was the type of party we were coming to. Did you?”
“Nope.” I popped the P before I continued. “And I’m really uncomfortable, but I don’t want to embarrass Drake.”
“I feel like I’m auditioning for a part. Matteo whispered for me to feel free to get to know the girls. I looked at him like he had to be kidding, but Gianna, he was serious. I am not that kind of a girl. My mom would kill me if she thought I’d ever been involved in something like that.”
I couldn’t help but giggle. She was sugary sweet and shouldn’t be tied up in this mess of men. I didn’t know any of them well, including Drake, but I knew enough to know she was in over her head. “I feel you. I’m just trying to make it through the night without getting pulled into something I don’t want to be a part of.”
We agreed to stick close to each other and prayed we made it out unscathed. The two of us acted as though we were being asked to commit murder, when really, it was just dirty old men living out their fantasies. And boy were they living out their wildest dreams. When we returned to the group with drinks in hand, I was grateful none of them had requested coffee for fear they’d spill it on their naked skin. Kelly situated herself next to Matteo and attempted to join the conversation, and thankfully for me, Drake just pulled me into his side. He kept his arm around me and toyed with me respectfully—his hand in my hair, on the back of my neck, around my waist. He kissed my temple when he got up to leave the room and held my hand in his lap, but he never made a move that caused me discomfort. He treated me as though he truly cared for me and not like I was a piece of meat on his floor. It didn’t escape me he never watched the action taking place on the floor, either.
Kelly kept nodding, and Matteo finally took the hint. It was late, and it appeared the men would soon be joining the women. I had no idea how Drake and I would get out of this one, but when Matteo announced their departure, my date asked him to drop me off on his way.
My eyes went wide as saucers. I wasn’t sure which was more mortifying—being forced to join the naked, or his friends knowing I lived in The Village. He squeezed my hand as he texted Matteo my address for his GPS and led me to the front door. His lips met my cheek, and just after he kissed me goodbye, he whispered in my ear, “Jase will take care of you. He knows you’re on your way.” I let out a heavy sigh, thankful Drake had kept my secret and felt his hand slip my payment into the pocket of my pants.
I stared back at him with adoring eyes and lifted on the tips of my toes to peck his mouth. I hugged him tightly and thanked him. He knew what I meant, and I was grateful he’d been respectful, even when I’d thought he was asking for a lot more.
Chapter Ten
I sat in the back of Matteo’s sedan listening to him and Kelly chatter. He seemed oblivious to her discomfort at Drake’s house, and I wondered if she’d ever agree to another outing, but I kept my mouth shut. When we pulled up to a gigantic house, my jaw fell open seeing Jase’s home for the first time. He’d left the lights blazing on the front porch, and both Matteo and Kelly commented on the beauty of the structure. All I could muster was a muffled, “Thank you.” I slipped out of the back seat and waved as they pulled away.
Jase opened the door just as I reached the stoop, and I about tripped over my own feet at the sight of his bare, tan chest and jersey shorts hung low on his hips. My eyes started at his toes and crawled up every inch of his body until I was met with resounding laughter. I realized he knew I’d just appraised him like a piece of meat, and sadly, my mouth was open and my eyes were wide.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug as he closed the door behind us. He smelled like soap but with that warm scent of skin. I inhaled deeply and enjoyed his embrace while I listened for children who might still be awake, but the house was silent.
“I’m not really sure how I ended up here, but your house is stunning.” I pulled away from him and took in my surroundings. He had the finest of everything, and it was immaculately clean. He took my hand and pulled me down a hall and up a flight of stairs. He opened a door when we reached the top and put his finger to his lips, indicating my need to be quiet. I peeked into what I assumed was Jase’s man cave based on the stadium seating, enormous TV, and gaming chairs, to see my children sleeping soundly on the floor—and Derrick was in there somewhere. His foot stuck out from under a pile of blankets, but I couldn’t see the rest of him.
A smile erupted on my face when Jase closed the door. He’d pulled off a sleepover of epic proportions. These kids thought he hung the moon, and they’d be high off this experience for weeks. I followed my host back down the stairs, through a maze of rooms, and down a separate staircase. He didn’t turn on the lights as he went but held my hand and led the way. I realized we had ended up in Jase’s bedroom when he turned on the lights.