Unexpected Eva (Triple Trouble #3)(63)

Leaning against the glass balcony, I look down at both Lincoln and Knox, who are both propped against the bar. They're both similar, but so very different.

“I’m not telling.” I bite my straw seductively.

As if Knox senses me, he looks up and throws me a knowing smile.

“Lincoln’s old man is sexy as hell. Fuck me, is he hot. What I wouldn’t do to get a taste of his man-meat.”

I know what she’s doing. Beth's trying to gauge my reaction. But I don’t give her what she seeks.

“You’re no fun.” She nudges my shoulder. I do enjoy the daily sparring between us all.

“What are we looking at?” Ella joins us.

“We’re ogling. Millionaire playboys.” Beth swirls the ice around in her glass tumbler.

“Oh, now let me see.” Ella peers over the balcony. “I knew it. Eden, Toni,” Ella calls them both over.

We become a party of five.

“Roulette style, place your bets now, girls. Knox or Lincoln? Who will Eva be going home with tonight? Make your decision now.” Mouth drumming, Ella beats invisible drumsticks against the side of the balcony.

Well, that’s a given. I already left my stuff there from the other night so I could stay over at Knox’s tonight again. I’m loving my newfound freedom and balance in my life again, time with my boys, work, and love life.

Er, not love. Sex. Sex life is what I meant.

Ella points her imaginary drumstick at each of the girls as if it’s a microphone and they all say Lincoln, apart from Ella. She’s fixated. I need to divert her off the Knox path.

Synchronized Knox, Lincoln, Lincoln’s two friends, Jacob and Owen, along with Knox’s buddies, Shane and Corey, all look up in our direction.

“Or is it Jacob or Owen?” Eden raises her voice over the music. “Shane and Corey are both married.”

“Could be.” Toni giggles. “C’mon, Eva, put us out of our misery.”

“Okay.” I move away from the balcony. The boys below follow my every move as I move along the transparent walkway toward the curving stairs to take me to the floor below.

I take my time down the steps and quickly send Knox a text from my smart watch.

Me: Go with the flow. Trust me.

Knox: Okay. You look incredible tonight.





Being sure not to trip on my black and pink embroidered sheer maxi dress, I hike it up, allowing it to skim the floor no more. I’m wearing a solid black strapless corset bodysuit underneath the soft floaty fabric. It’s provocatively boho chic. But classy. I feel like a million dollars. Although I felt like that earlier too before Tabitha rained all over my parade.

Tiptoeing along the outer edge of the bar in my high black multi-strap gladiator heels, I finally reach my destination. I look up one more time, eyeing my line of girls, anticipation written all over their faces. I love those four. I flash them a massive smile, then find my target.

“Hi.”

Hyper aware all eyes are on me now. The boys all stop talking.

“Uh, hi, Eva. Would you like a drink?” He gulps.

I move in closer. “I’m good. Would you like to dance, Lincoln?”

“I’m not very good. But okay.” He thrusts his bottle of beer into Jacob’s chest for him to take.

I shift my focus skyward again to catch Toni, Eden, and Beth clinking their glasses together in celebration while Ella slaps her forehead and I think she mouths, she is lying.

I’m playing a naughty, dangerous game. Using Lincoln as our diversion. It’s a necessary evil for the time being to disguise mine and Knoxs’ affinity.

I’ll tell my friends and family soon about Knox.

Pinky promise.

The entire song, Lincoln, keeps a safe distance between us. But I need this to look real. Looping my arms around his neck, we move together to the happy beat of “Say So” by Doja Cat. Placing his hands on my waist, he moves them down toward my ass, but I instinctively move them back to my waist.

I twirl around and secure eyes with Knox. I jut my chin in recognition as he takes a sip of his amber liquid. He’s not happy. I don’t blame him.

Fix it, Eva.

I raise my hand in the girls’ direction above and summon them down to dance. Within seconds, they’re beside me. Lincoln says something to Toni, and she laughs. Owen and Jacob join us too, and before I know it, we’ve formed a mini circle on the dance floor.

Now that feels better. Less personal.

I continually check Knox, who is still rooted to the spot. Like a stalker, his senses are all tuned into me.

He looks lush in his dark jeans and navy dress shirt, with a tiny white embroidered logo on his chest I can’t quite make out. I guarantee he’s wearing expensive leather Chelsea boots. It’s his statement look when he’s out. Which isn’t very often, but when he’s out, he’s always immaculate and expensive-looking.

For the next five songs, our little ennead dance together before the tempo changes and the first mellow piano notes of “Love Nwantinti” flow through the nightclub.

I shift my focus to Knox. It’s what we danced to in the studio together. Then he made me come.

He sets his glass on the bar. With intent, he propels toward me.

Corey and Shane shake their heads, laughing. They know.

Unable to move, I stand, waiting to greet him.