Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 96802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 484(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 323(@300wpm)
He whistled low. “The teasing was worth it. Can we stay home now?”
I giggled and shook my head. “This party is important to Katherine.”
“I might get handsy,” he warned me in advance.
“I’d find this acceptable,” I said mischievously.
Court circled my waist and drew me in for a sensual kiss that made me reconsider his offer.
“Okay, okay,” I said breathlessly. “You might actually win if we don’t stop now.”
“Then, don’t stop.”
I hastily stepped around him and went back for the small clutch that went with my outfit. I checked my phone and saw I had a missed call from Taylor. It was from a couple of minutes ago, but she hadn’t left a message. If it was important, she’d have left a message. I stuffed the phone into my clutch and followed Court downstairs to meet the Percy limo.
Thankfully, it was already waiting for us, so I could just skitter across the sidewalk and get inside without needing my jacket, which I had no intention of carrying around tonight.
Gavin whistled as I stepped into the limousine. “Our angels are complete!”
Katherine looked me over and then nodded. “Dark is fitting.”
I grinned at her and then took a seat with Court next to me. Katherine along with Whitley and her date, Robert, sat along the back wall. Sam and Gavin were next, dressed in “costumes” that appeared to just be suits. Next to Gavin were more of Katherine and Lark’s crew—Lewis with his girlfriend, Addie, and then Rowe with his boyfriend, Nicholas. We had to have been the last stop because the limo was packed full.
It seemed that the only people missing were Lark, who was busy on campaign, and Camden, Penn, and Natalie. And after the interaction between them all at Penn’s wedding reception… maybe this was better.
The limo pulled up in front of Club Marquee, which had the full red-carpet treatment for the attendees. Katherine’s Halloween party was the biggest event of the season. She’d sold out the massive club months in advance and raised millions for an animal charity. I was surprised to find out that she had a particular charity that she always worked with, but also, it made sense, considering this was the Upper East Side.
This felt so familiar to me though. Even if this was the Upper East Side and I was the outsider, I’d been to enough premieres and award ceremonies to know the drill. I’d been in this world for six months, and I still couldn’t get over the fact that I was part of this and not just on the sidelines.
And this event felt even more unbelievable.
It was my first event with Court.
Not just as his publicist, but as… his. No hiding in the shadows tonight. This was our debut. And I had a feeling that he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands off me. Not when I was in this outfit.
Katherine was herding everyone out in order, saving the three of us for last. We wanted to make an appearance, of course.
Court firmly kissed me once on the mouth. “I’ll wait for you after Katherine steals your attention.”
I laughed and kissed him again. “Can’t wait.”
He disappeared, exiting behind Nicholas. I pulled my phone out, intent on sending him a sexy picture when I saw I had a text from Taylor.
Anna, I need to talk to you. Call me right now.
I huffed. I hadn’t heard from Taylor in weeks. She hadn’t called or texted or met up with me since she asked me for money. And tonight of all nights, she wanted to try to reach me. Not even a, Hi, how’s it going? Just a, Call me right now.
I can’t talk right now. Busy. I’ll call you tomorrow.
I snapped the shot for Court, sent it to his phone, and returned my phone to my clutch.
“Ready?” Katherine asked us.
I nodded.
Whitley grinned like a fool. “Fuck yes, Katherine.”
Then, Katherine stepped out of the limo. I could hear the intake of breath at her appearance. She was clad in red lingerie with red Louboutins and bright red angel wings. Her dark hair fanned all around her. Her muscles were toned to perfection, as if she had been killing it in the gym lately. She looked like a goddess. And tonight was her night.
Whitley went next, ironically clad in virginal white. The light to Katherine’s devil red. The light to my darkness as I followed.
Katherine stood with her hands on her hips before the photographers clicking away, flashes blazing. Whitley moved to one side, and I stepped up on the other. A mirrored set. Katherine red with her dark hair. Whitley white with her current red dye job. And me black with my platinum-blonde hair.
Applause came from the awaiting crowd as they took us in. I picked out Court nearby. He looked hungry. And it made me giddy. This was real life. It was hard to believe that we’d made it to this moment. That we were here.