Misguided Vows: Chapter 27

Honey invited me to a small gathering for Dawson’s birthday. I considered visiting my mother instead, but with the schedule and changeover of workers on Monday for the shop, I didn’t want to jeopardize anything by being out of town in case something happened at the last minute.

Tonight, I decided to dress up, considering Honey and Dawson are still technically my clients, even though they’re now also my friends. I’ve kept most of my relationships to a professional level, but recently I seem to not have much of a choice. Starting with Maria and then Honey and Rya. But I’ve enjoyed it. I’m wearing a light-blue silk dress with black heels. A small part of me wonders if I’ll see Will tonight, but I doubt it. I don’t like that my mind keeps wondering about what he’s doing and where he is. I insist it’s my own paranoia after he upped and left when I won our bet. And definitely not the fact that I’ve dreamed about his face between my thighs almost every night since.

It’s a cute restaurant that I walk into, and when I tell the hostess who I’m here for, she guides me to a private section with a few faces I recognize.

Honey stands up, waving, wearing a flowing pink dress that emphasizes her stomach. She’s probably the cutest pregnant person I have ever seen. When I spot her, she sits back down, and Dawson’s hand naturally gravitates to her stomach. He’s always touching her, not just her belly; it could be her shoulder, her hand, or even her lower back. It’s cute even though most of the men sitting at this table are deadly and anything but cute.

I met Rya’s husband when I moved into Honey’s old apartment. Crue barely looks my way, and I don’t take it personally. I’ve come to realize he doesn’t curry favor with many people. His gaze is only ever on his wife. With an exception for Dawson and Honey, at times. He’s cold and not overly friendly, but the way he watches Rya is nothing short of uncomfortable because he devours her with his gaze.

I stop short when I see Anya and River. I didn’t expect them tonight, but I keep my composure, hoping there’s no bad blood with regard to the prank Will set me up for. Either way, I got a plane out of it, so it wasn’t all an entirely wasted effort. The Russian beauty is eyeing me as if she wants to chop my head off, but I have the sense she’s more like Crue and chose not to take it personally.

I haven’t seen Anya since that day, and I gathered from that encounter she’s a very powerful woman. I would say she would be someone I aspire to be, but I think I’ll still be afraid of her.

“You can sit beside me,” Honey chirps as she pulls me toward the chair beside her. The chair on the other side of me is empty. And although it’s nice to sit among these powerful people, it’s also a reminder of my single status. Something I’ve never been bothered about before.

“You’ve met everyone, yes?” Honey asks.

I nod with a smile as I eye the table.

“We were in cahoots to get her a plane. Did the little fucker honor your bet?” Anya asks, and I’m caught off guard.

“He did. I sold it.”

The corner of her mouth curves up into a smile. “Apologies my brother Alek and Lena couldn’t come tonight. For some reason, Alek wanted to take her on a two-week birthday holiday in France. I haven’t heard from either of them since.”

River laughs. “I think she’s more upset about Lena’s disappearance than Alek’s.”

Anya doesn’t respond, taking a sip of her water as a mountain of food is delivered to our table.

“This is River’s new restaurant, and he insisted we celebrate here,” Honey whispers into my ear. “I’ve been dying to try it out.” She smiles happily as she hums to herself over the food.

I glance up, then freeze, when I see Will walking toward us. I almost forget to breathe because, although it’s only been two weeks, I forgot how beautiful he is, especially in his well-fitted suit. The hostess points to our table even though we’re obviously the only guests in this part of the restaurant.

“Thought you could start the party without me?” he says with an arrogant smile.

Dawson smirks as River says, “Here I thought you were dead.”

“You wouldn’t get rid of me so easily,” he replies cheerfully, but I can see the dark circles under his eyes. Then his gaze lands on me. I don’t know what to say or do.

The table falls eerily quiet, and I can sense the others are looking between us.

“Please don’t tell me you two haven’t fucked yet,” Anya says with an exasperated eye roll and throws her napkin. Will’s smile morphs into a smirk.

“Now, Anya, do I ask the last time you took it in the ass? Be pleasant, would you?” Will retorts, his gaze never leaving mine. River shakes his head at them. I’m guessing River is very used to Will’s crudeness.

“I am pleasant,” Anya says, then turns to me. “Was I not?” The table goes silent, and instead of answering, I reach for my wine glass and take a sip.

“Smart woman,” Rya says, her head leaning on Crue’s shoulder.

“Don’t just stand there. Take a seat,” Dawson instructs, and Will does so, happily considering the only chair available is the one beside me.

He’s here. And I don’t know why I’m feeling all sorts of weird about it. I pretend to be unfazed by his presence as he takes the seat next to me.

He leans in and whispers, “Cat got your tongue, milady?”

“I was enjoying my meal,” I say, rather prickly, as I scoop spaghetti onto my plate. I swear I was an Italian in a previous life because I love everything pasta and cheese.

“Your meal for tonight hasn’t even started,” he assures, and I snap my attention to his arrogant, dimpled smile.

“Anyway, it was Will’s idea for Alina to hit on my husband, and I’m a smart woman, so I’m mad at Will, not Alina.” Her gaze falls to him, and I can’t help but smile. I’m certain Anya is the type of person who, if you cross her even once, will never forget it. But Will continues to wear that shit-eating grin.

“Come on now, love, don’t be mad. I had River first and let you have him,” Will says to Anya, intentionally stirring her. She reaches for her glass of water and puts it to her lips, then looks to her husband.

“I’m always yours, darling. No one else’s. You know that.”

“Pretty little lies,” Will says, shaking his head. Honey offers him a glass of red wine. He takes it, and then his gaze is back on me. I swallow, staring back at him. Tingles erupt over my skin and my dress is feeling too tight. I want it off.

Stop. I look away. How can he have this much hold over me? I told him we were only fucking once. That’s it. So why am I acting like some feral cat in heat?

Everyone is reaching around the table and talking. I casually listen in on conversations, but my full attention is on the man sitting beside me, who has barely removed his gaze from me since he sat down.

Will leans in, his hot breath ghosting over my shoulder. “You look lovely tonight.”

When I turn my head, his lips are close to mine, and I inhale sharply.

He’s always been this imposing, hasn’t he?

“Thank you,” I reply, somewhat clipped. Anyone would think I’m mad at him for not contacting me for the last two weeks. Am I?

“Have you missed me?” His hand slides under the table and over my thigh. I try not to make my surprise obvious to the rest of the table.

“I’ve been busy.” Fuck, he smells good. I’m hyper-focused on his hand as it trails over my silk dress and higher up my thigh.

“That wasn’t a no.” He smirks. I’m conscious of his wandering hand, which is making me all sorts of hungry—and not for food.

His hand pauses for a moment before it continues its path, and I feel powerless to stop him. I don’t want to stop him. I guess he was giving me a chance to push him away or tell him no, and I did neither of those things.

Suddenly, his hand changes direction and moves down to my knee. When he reaches the hem of my dress, he pulls it up, then slides his warm palm up my bare thigh.

“How long do you think until you’re finished with the shop?” Rya asks, and I slam my hand on top of Will’s, trying to keep my expression neutral.

“If everything goes to schedule, in about two weeks.”

“And do you plan to go back to London?” she asks. He squeezes my thigh a little tighter and ignores my hand as his fingers continue to trail between my legs. I’m acutely aware of the moment he begins to stroke the outside of my panties.

Fuck me, this man wants me to soak this fucking chair.

“Yes, I booked my flight already,” I squeak.

“You did?” Will asks, and I turn to look at him.

“Yes, I did.” I avoid looking down where his hand is under the table and up my dress.

“Well then, I guess you’re coming with me tonight.” He pulls his hand from between my legs, offering it to me as he stands. I’m staring at him, confused, trying to avoid everyone else’s questioning looks and raised brows. “If we only have two weeks left to fuck, we’re leaving now, milady.”

“We can’t just leave now; we’ve barely eaten.” I roll my eyes at him, then glance around the table. Everyone is waiting for me to answer, and no one seems overly surprised. I forgot who I’m sitting with here.

“Yes, and I would like to eat as well. So, please stand up, and let’s get going. I can’t continue to slide my hand up your dress under the table all night when I know what’s underneath.” My cheeks go pink at his words, and Honey chuckles.

How the fuck can I stay after he’s announced that to everyone?

I stand, and Will immediately grabs my hand.

“Thanks for dinner.” Will waves at everyone before all but dragging me out of the restaurant.