“Couple of us sort of know what that’s like,” Dane mumbled under his breath.
“Yeah, well it’s made Zander a bit bitter and a big loner,” Nicolai replied. “I was told by a few of the other guys at school that he didn’t have any friends, before I came, so when he said I’m his only one it’s the truth.”
“I bet Blaine doesn’t think he’s good for you,” Dane said.
“Blaine thinks I’m good for him.”
“And I think I’m going to keep looking for Samara,” Makayla said.
She left the two talking, smiling while she looked around for her sister. She grabbed a glass of champagne while she walked, downed half of the glass and decided to find a restroom since she couldn’t find her sister. Like the rest of the place, the restroom was grand as she expected it would be. She washed her hands, not even noticing that another woman joined her until she tried to leave and found the door blocked.
“Oh, excuse me,” Makayla smiled. “Didn’t see you there.”
“Yes, but I saw you,” the woman stated. Her words slurred a bit, clearly meaning she’d had one too many drinks besides the one in her hand.
The woman was a striking blonde in an elegant silk white gown that reached the floor with a slit halfway up the front. Her hair trailed down over her shoulders in waves and curls, her blue eyes were cold as ice. Makayla nearly shivered at the hatred she saw in them and she didn’t understand why. She didn’t know the woman.
“I saw you walk in with the one and only Darius Alistair,” she snickered. “The one true bastard of the town.”
That statement had Makayla straightening up her spine and glaring at the woman. “Who the hell are you?”
“Who the hell am I?” she snickered, finishing her half glass of wine. “Someone you need to watch out for.”
The door behind her opened, knocking the woman forward, flat on her face. Kera Devon walked in with a smile that quickly left her face when she spotted the woman.
“Well, I was wondering when you’d come out of your hole,” Kera stated in a dry and irritated-sounding voice. “At least you’re in the room where you belong the most.”
“You know, you’d think with the kind of money I put out for this event, the guest list would be selective,” the blonde said. She looked Kera up and down. “Trash like you shouldn’t be let in the front door, no matter who you conned into marrying.” Her cold eyes moved to Makayla. “And now this comes into my circle.”
“Beth,” Kera sighed. “I’ve had just about enough of your shit.”
Kera started to advance on the blonde when Makayla snapped out of her shock and put herself between then. She’d heard the story from her sister how Kera had once punched Beth White in the face at a store for saying some nasty things. From day one, Kera and Beth didn’t like each other, and it all had to do with Devon. Beth White had had high hope that she would be the one to marry Devon, or at least one of the four friends one day. Once the dream of Devon slipped through her fingers, she began to move down the line. Dane was next, followed by Blaine. Beth White had this big fantasy that she belonged with one of them, just because of her birth and her status in town.
“Not here,” Makayla hissed low so only Kera could hear. “She isn’t worth the trouble.”
Kera had the look in her eyes of a woman that wanted nothing more than to kick some ass. She took several deep breaths before nodding at Makayla. “You’re right. This bitch isn’t worth my time.”
With a slight push, Makayla was able to get Kera out of the restroom and back to the party. A waiter walked by and she grabbed two glasses of wine, handing one to Kera. Kera downed about half of it.
“Feel better?” Makayla asked.
“Yes and no,” Kera answered. “That bitch just won’t get over the fact that the guys want nothing to do with her.”
“Mistresses sometimes have a hard time letting go,” she stated, which had Kera looking at her in shock. Makayla rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. I’m not stupid and neither are you. All four of them were nothing more than man whores. They probably did half of the women here.”
Kera shook her head. “I don’t trust that witch. I just know she’s got something up her sleeve.”
“Well, don’t let it ruin the night.” Makayla gave her a big smile. “I’m enjoying myself.”
Kera opened her mouth but got cut off. “There you are and you look great!”
Makayla turned to her sister and instantly wrapped her arms around her, hugging her tight. “I was looking for you.”
“And found Beth instead,” Kera added.
Samara pulled out of the hold to look at Kera, “Not her again.”
“Don’t worry.” Kera put her hands up. “I didn’t touch her this time.”
“Good,” Samara laughed and looked Makayla up and down. “This blue dress looks great on you!”
A loud bell rang out and everyone stopped talking at once. “Please head to the dining room. Dinner is served.”
“Now this is another thing I’m not looking forward to,” Kera groaned.
“What?” Makayla asked.
“The food is going to suck.”
“Oh, come on,” Samara chuckled. “You know Devon will fix you something later so just be a good girl for him.”
“I hate clams,” Kera moaned.
“But you love lobster,” Samara pointed out. “Now let’s go find the guys and get seated.
The three worked their way through the crowd to find Devon, Dane, and Darius. As expected, Darius and Dane weren’t near each other and it pissed Makayla off. She put her arm through his and let him take her into the large dining room with one of the longest tables she’d ever seen..
Cards had been laid out with names of each guest. Unfortunately, Makayla didn’t get to sit with Darius and neither did Samara with Dane or Kera with Devon. Makayla was seated about seven seats down from him and across the table. Once she took her seat and found his eyes, she got a very uneasy feeling from the dark expression on his face.
“Well now, I must say, luck is on my side tonight.”
Makayla turned to the man on her right, a clean cut man dressed in a tux like all of the men at the ball. His dark hair was cut short and slicked back from his perfect face, and dark eyes sparkled in amusement, like he was holding on to some private joke. He had to be in his late fifties or maybe even sixties, she wasn’t sure.
“Oh, I’m sorry.” He smiled, stopping from picking up a glass of water. “How rude of me. I’m Mathew Verver, Darius’s uncle.”
Now she understood. Another glance at Darius and she swore his face was turning red with his anger.
The first course came out, but she didn’t even touch it. Instead, she let her curiosity take over and turned to the man sitting next to her. “So, I hear you’re suing your nephew.”
The statement had him almost choking on his clams. “Excuse me?” he stuttered.
“He told me,” she murmured, smiling sweetly at him.
“Did he now?” This time it was his turn to glance over at Darius. “I’m surprised.”
“Why?”
“He doesn’t talk to anyone.” Mathew picked up his water took a drink and set it down. “So did he tell you then about his mother?”
“You mean how she tried to kill him?” This time it was her turn to pick up a glass and take a drink. Once finished she gave him that same smile. “Yes he did. And I have to say, I’m a bit shocked that you would support something like that.”
“I’ve also been on my sister’s side. I was even there to help her through the rape from his father.”
“Were you there for your niece as well?” His face drained of color. “Didn’t think so.” She took a deep breath, caught Darius’s face from the corner of her eye before going on. “What I don’t understand is why would a family member expect another to help support the one that hurt them?”
“She’s still his mother.”
“You make it sound like she’s some kind of saint.”
“What if she is?” He met her eyes. “She’s a victim in all of this.”
“So was her daughter.” Makayla wiped her mouth and pushed away from the table. “Excuse me.” She walked around the table to Darius and leaned over. “Can I have a word with you, please?”
He nodded and got up, excusing himself. With his hand at the lower part of her back, Makayla led the way out of the dining room. Once clear from all seeing eyes, she took his hand and hurried in the direction of the coat room that thankfully was empty.
“What’d he say to you?” he asked.
Makayla gave him a push into the tiny room, then closed the door and locked it. “He’s trying to make me think your mother is a victim in all of this.” With her hands on his chest, she pushed him back against the wall.
“And?”
“And I don’t believe him.” She didn’t hesitate in her actions and went right for his pants, unzipping them and delving her hand inside, grasping flesh that quickly woke to her touch.
“Makayla,” he hissed low. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I agree with Kera about the clams,” she said, rubbing his thickening cock. “The clams don’t look very good right now.”
His rolled his head back on his shoulders, eyes closing in pleasure. “God, you’re killing me here.”
“Am I?” Her answer added softly, “Um-huh. Well, then, this is really going to finish you off.”
She brought his cock out, dropped to her knees and without even thinking about it took the flesh into her mouth. She sucked as much in as she could, moaning when it touched the back of her throat.
“Son of a bitch!” he hissed, both hands going to her hair for a moment, then back to the wall. “Here? You want to do this here?”
She looked up at him and nodded, moving her head back and forth. Oh, the taste of him was addictive! Power and freedom in her hands at last and, another emotion she didn’t know if she was ready to handle yet.
Love.
Did she love him?
“Okay, okay, okay,” he panted, pulling away from her. “You need to stop before things get out of hand.”
Slowly she stood up, licked her lips and leaned into him so he had to put his arms around her instead of fixing his pants. “Maybe I want things to get out of hand.”
“Do you now?”
She nodded, rose up on her toes and kissed him. “Stop being so proper and give me what I want, right here, right now.”
He groaned when she kissed him again, pulled back and turned her around so fast that if he hadn’t had a hold of her by the waist she might’ve fallen on her face. Her dress rose up, panties went down her legs and before she could grasp that he was giving her what she wanted he was thrusting inside her.
Makayla didn’t suppress the moan of pleasure, or stop herself from pushing back against him. Darius rode her hard and fast she took it all. Her orgasm built quickly and before she could control it, she exploded. Darius groaned loudly behind her, gave three more hard thrusts and stopped, holding her tight and close as his own pleasure poured out of him.
They stayed like that for a few tender minutes before he slowly withdrew. Makayla wanted to whimper at the loss, picked up her panties, slid into them and smoothed down her dress. The quick zip of his zipper had her turning with a big smile on her face.
“Well, Mrs. Alistair I must say you amaze me.”
Makayla nearly laughed aloud at the stunned, yet still aroused expression as his face as she wrapped her arms around his neck, pressing her body close. “And you, Mr. Alistair, are still as hungry as I am.”
One eyebrow went up as he looked down at her. “Is that so?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “I want more.”
“Then I will see about that, after this party.” He bent down and kissed her, lingering over her lips.
Hand in hand, they left the coat closet, made their way back to the dining room just as the main course was served. Darius walked her over to her seat, gave his uncle a glare and went back to own seat giving her a wink when he sat down.
“Everything alright?” Mathew asked.
Still smiling she turned to him, picking up her glass of wine as she did. “Everything’s perfect. Thank you.”
Chapter Nine
“She’s lovely,” Mathew remarked to Darius. “A treasure I didn’t think you would ever find,” he finished with a smile, then took a drink of his wine. “But then again, I’m not at all surprised the apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”
Darius kept any eye on Makayla, trying to ignore his uncle who’d approached him after dinner, likely to try and irritate the hell out of it.
“I’m not my father, Mathew,” Darius told him again. How many times now had he had to say those words? Ten? Eleven?
“So you say, and yet I see what you don’t,” Mathew smirked. Darius gave his uncle his full attention. “I see a young man collecting something very beautiful, same as his father. Then one day, she’ll be nothing but a shell, the life sucked right out of her.” He fisted his hand in front of Darius. “You can’t keep the pure ones, son. Evil like you will only taint their souls.”
Darius snorted and turned back to watch Makayla. “Save your damn preaching for the church. I’m not interested in it.”
“She won’t save your soul,” Mathew went on. “She won’t take away the stain upon your name.”
“And what about the stain on her shoulders?” Darius said, turning again to face him. “Surely all that she’s done can’t be forgiven either.”
“Your mother has only behaved as a victim might,” Darius said with a snort and rolled his eyes. “She isn’t to blame for what your father did.”
“No, she just turned a blind eye on it all. Do you remember Sara, Mathew, or have you also turned a blind eye to her?”
Mathew waved his hand with a condescending smile as if that part of the past didn’t matter. “Your father’s forbidden lust and weakness was all that was.”
Darius narrowed his eyes on the man. “Amazing how you can act just like him. Act like she never existed. You’re no better than him, covering up lies and keeping secrets.”
“I’m not your father,” Mathew hissed with his finger pointed at Darius.
“No, you’re not, thank God.” Darius took a drink. “But it does have me wondering who is the greater bastard. At least my father didn’t deny his faults.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he looked his uncle up and down. “If you came here thinking that you can push me to do what you want, you’re wasting your time. I plan on taking this to court if I have to.”