The Wrong Wife (Morally Grey Billionaires #5)(17)

Mira must see the desperation on my face, for she flattens her lips. "Shit, I really am sorry. I'm being indiscreet. I know how much you were hoping for that gig to work out—though you have to admit, it was a far shot."

I lower my chin. "No shit."

"I could loan you money, you know—"

I shake my head. "Nope. Absolutely not. I’m not taking money from you, or Abby, for that matter."

"So, I guess you’re not going to tell her about your run-in with her brother?"

I stare at her. "What do you think?"

"I guess you’re not going to do that but—" She stares over my shoulder and her gaze widens. "I think you might have to talk about it with Knight."

A tingle races down my spine. My pussy clenches. Strange, even his name seems to elicit a weird response from my lower regions.

I flick my hair over my shoulder. "Don’t say that bastard’s name in front of me. Once I told him I had my V-card, he couldn’t get out of there fast enough."

First, he took off his coat and placed it around my shoulders . Then, he walked me out of that room and to his waiting car, where he asked his chauffeur to drop me at home. I was too stunned by the speed of things to protest. Before I knew it, I was back at Mira’s apartment—and broke.

"He could have, at least, paid for my time," I take another sip of my whiskey. "In fact, if I had taken a picture of his face with the expression he wore when I told him I was a virgin, I could have hawked it on the internet. Or made Tshirts with the print of that picture and sold it on Etsy with the caption, 'How to shock a douchebag? Show him your V-card.'" I trace a rectangle in the air with my fingers.

Mira swallows, her gaze trained over my shoulder. "Umm, Penny, I think you should—"

"Go ahead with it? I think so, too. Only, I didn’t take a picture of his face—"

"Probably because you were otherwise occupied," a voice says from behind me. A voice which is low enough that I shouldn’t have heard it over the conversation in the bar, but I do because… it’s his voice. Heat sears my back. Now, I know why I have goosebumps all over my skin. I stare at Mira with horror.

She winces. "Sorry, babe, I tried to warn you."

"You could have thrown something at me, or knocked me out cold, or—" I squeeze my eyes shut. "I’m never going to live this down, am I?"

I sense her shaking her head. She touches my hand, then reaches over and asks, "Want me to stay for this?"

I manage to gather my wits about me, then crack open my eyes. "Go, please, and let me die quietly, on my own."

She has a worried look on her face. "Are you sure?"

The heat at my back turns up to furnace levels, and I know he’s moved closer. My scalp tingles. My toes curl. And all this, because I’m in his presence.

She glances up at the man standing behind me. "The only reason I’m leaving her alone with you is because you’re Abby’s brother and I know you won’t do anything to upset her best friend."

My cheeks catch fire. "Mira, please."

She continues to glare at him. "Well, what do you have to say for yourself?"

I wince. No, no, you can’t talk to that alphahole in that tone of voice. He’s going to say something hurtful to her and—

"I promise I won’t do anything—not without her consent.” He holds up his hand, palm face up.

She blinks. So do I.

We stare at each other, then I lean in toward her and whisper, "He used the 'c' word and I find that hot.” But I’d find it hotter if he took without consent. No, no, no I did not think that.

She cups her palm over her lips. "Real life is not like my spicy books,” she hisses back.

“I don’t read smut.” Only Dramione fan fiction. Something I’ve never told anyone and am not going to start now. "Bet he looks better than any fictional book boyfriend you’ve come across.”

She scowls. "He’s more like a villain."

“Now you know my catnip,” I murmur.

She gasps, "Oh, my god, you did not say that. Also, didn’t the two of you get off to a bad start?"

I bite the inside of my cheek. “That was then—” I pop my shoulder.

“Thought you didn’t like him,” she says in a suspicious tone.

“I don’t. But—I’m curious about him, you know? He intrigues me.” I glance sideways to find said grumphole dark-haired Draco fingering his phone. Lucky phone. What the—I am not envious of his stupid phone. Am not. He meets my gaze and I look away.

“I’m not comfortable leaving you alone with him.” Mira chews on her lower lip.

“I’ll be fine.” I pat her shoulder. “He’s Abby’s brother and he dotes on her. He’s not going to hurt her friend in any way and risk her wrath.”

“Hmm.” Her frown deepens.

“No, no more hmm’ing. I’m a big girl. I can handle myself. Also”—I gesture to the bar—“we’re not alone.”

She doesn’t look happy, but nods. “You’d better text me when you are on your way home. If you don’t, I’ll be calling the cops.”

“Okay, mother.” I hug her. “Thanks for looking out for me.”