Adam’s molars grind as he reluctantly places my hand in Truett’s and steps away. The old man gives me a sickening smile that makes my skin crawl. His heavy-scented cologne replaces the sweet and subtle scent of Adam’s as he pulls me against him. I have to force myself to look natural, to smile and move my feet when the music starts playing again.
Even though we’re on a dance floor surrounded by couples in a room packed with hundreds of people, I feel alone with Truett, and it’s not a pleasant feeling at all.
He tugs me closer so my body is flush with his, and bile rises in my throat. Fear and panic create a tremor deep in my bones, and I keep my eyes unfocused as he grins at me.
“Just keep smiling,” he says in a low tone.
“I am,” I reply. Even I know my tight-lipped expression is probably not selling anything. But right now, I don’t care.
“You think you’re so clever, don’t you? How good is that pussy that you’ve seduced my son?”
It dawns on me at this moment that he doesn’t suspect us of lying. He believes Adam and I are a real thing, which means he believes Adam…and blames me.
Just stick with the story, Sage.
“I didn’t even have to try that hard,” I reply, my smile growing wider as I manage to look him in the eye. “I had him worshiping me just hours after you nearly knocked him out.”
“I bet you did.”
“Does it make you sick to know how easily I won him over? How fast I convinced your son to put pussy before God?”
He pinches my back, and I bite back the urge to yelp as tears sting behind my eyes.
“Watch yourself, you little slut,” he mutters lowly, keeping his expression warm and kind as he insults me.
“No, I’d rather not,” I reply, glancing around the room for Adam. But with the crowd on the dance floor now, I can’t seem to find him.
I want to make sure he hasn’t abandoned me with this monster, but also because I don’t want him to hear this next part, where I go a little rogue.
“You know, Reverend Goode,” I say, forcing my voice to stay kind. “I’d stop seeing Adam…for a price.”
“Whores always have a price,” he replies. “Name it.”
My face grows solemn and serious as I level my gaze at his. Being this close, I notice that he looks so much more fragile and weathered in person than he does on TV. When he’s behind that pulpit on the stage in front of a crowd, he appears indestructible. But seeing him like this, I’m reminded that he’s not. He’s a vulnerable little man with a fragile ego and more to lose than the power to protect himself.
“I want the deed,” I say, and there’s a flinch in his eyes as I say those words. I already know he won’t take the bait, but I have to try.
“The deed to the club, you mean,” he replies.
“Of course. Is that how much your son’s virtue is worth?”
The song comes to an end, and Truett only smiles at me.
“That’s what I thought,” I say with a wink. But as I start to pull away, he snatches me by the waist and yanks me against him. My blood runs cold as he holds me in place, putting his mouth against my ear as he mutters darkly.
“Don’t you dare fucking threaten me, you vile slut. You have no idea who you’re fucking with. If you don’t leave my son alone, I’ll find a way to ruin you, understand me? If I ever see you with him again, I won’t play so nicely next time.”
I’m practically shivering as he releases his hold on me, letting me stumble backward. Before I know it, I’m in Adam’s
arms, and he’s staring down at me with concern etched in his features.
“Thank you for the dance, beautiful,” Truett says with a beaming grin. The people around us watch with rapt appreciation, and they all start clapping as he strides away from me.
Adam turns me so I’m facing him, his thumb stroking over my cheek.
“Are you okay?” he mouths silently.
For a moment, I feel so full of rage and anger I could cry on the spot, but Adam’s eyes are tethering me to the moment.
Instead of crying, I grab his arms and pull him closer. I don’t know how many people are watching, but I know we have an audience as I plaster a big fake smile on my face.
Then I lean in and mutter through my teeth, “I fucking hate him, and I want to make him suffer.”
Satisfaction washes over Adam’s eyes as a grin stretches across his cheeks. “Me too,” he replies.
“Then fucking kiss me, and make it good.”
With that, he crashes his lips against mine without an ounce of hesitation or doubt.
Game fucking on.
Fifteen
Adam
S age’s lips are soft and taste like chocolate with a hint of vodka. And considering this is supposed to be a fake kiss for show, it’s strange to me that that’s the first thing I notice.
But as she melts against me, leaning her weight into my arms, I find myself wanting to deepen the kiss from more than a peck on the lips.
The eyes of those around us burn against my back, watching as I hold her, my mouth pressed to hers. If only they knew my heart was beating wildly under my suit and my dick was struggling to control itself. Making out and popping boners at elegant events is definitely frowned upon, but I don’t care.
Having to stand idly by while my father had her in his grasp made me irritable and out of my mind. I didn’t know what they were talking about or what he was promising her.
The feeling of being out of the loop, and having her out of my reach, had my blood boiling like a fever.
That’s why I’m feeling so desperate and frantic now.
After a moment, I gently pull away from the kiss and my eyes meet hers. Warm sky-blue orbs gaze up at me and I lose my sense of time and space. I forget I’m surrounded by my parents’ friends. I forget about the plan. For just a second, I want to kiss her again.
So I do.
With my hands on either side of her face, I drag her mouth back up to mine and press my tongue against the seam of her lips. I think, for a second, she’s going to fight me. Instead, she opens gracefully, letting me lick my way into her mouth. Our tongues brush together in soft friction as she lets out a gentle hum.
On my back, her fingers are gripping tightly against my jacket, pulling me closer. And somewhere in my mind, I keep
reminding myself that this is for show. We’re doing this for a reason that has nothing to do with my heart or my dick.
However, my dick doesn’t seem to get that message. She brushes against it, and a hot buzz of arousal shoots through my body. I’m painfully aware of just how hard I am and how much she keeps shifting against me, which has me wanting to fuck her right here on the dance floor.
I’d love to see the look on my father’s face then.
There’s a bright flash distracting both of us from the kiss.
Sage and I flinch at the same time as we pull apart and stare into the eyes of a young man holding a large camera with a flash bulb attached to the top. He gives us an awkward grin.
“Can I get your names for the publication?”
My brow furrows and he notices, shrinking into himself.
“Sage Astor,” she says proudly, and I have to relax my clenched jaw.
“Adam Goode,” I add.
“I know who you are,” he replies with an awkward chuckle.