Page 26 of Be My Brayshaw (Brayshaw High 4)

The second I’m on the other side of the expensive material, strong, fluorescent eyes demand mine and hold, but I force my gaze over his shoulder, and I’m met with my own reflection across the room.

Mirrors all around.

There are no ‘walls’ to be seen—only yourself and everything surrounding you, and more than one of each.

Soft, tranquil music comes from every direction—how it’s not heard outside this room, I don’t know.

A black velvet curved couch makes up all edges, and it takes me a second to realize I’m raised higher than the seating area, higher than the others in the room.

A stage.

I take the three smalls steps to the floor level, a sparkly black tile, maybe even marble. There are a few end tables here and there, ice buckets sitting atop them.

Royce reaches out, taking the two drinks closest to him without a word, so I move one from my right over to my left, now holding a flute in each hand.

Finally, I look to Captain again, his stare still stuck on me.

It takes some masking, but I don’t acknowledge the two girls who have planted themselves at his sides, at least not until they turn to see what’s stolen his attention.

Both stick their hands out, demanding with actions instead of words like bratty children that their drinks be brought within reach.

Captain tips his head back the slightest bit, waiting, so I walk closer, surprising them all when I use the space between Captain’s open legs as my delivery location.

They wouldn’t notice, and I’m betting it was completely subconscious, but his shoulders lift off the cushion the teeniest, tiniest bit, bringing him a fraction of a hair closer.

To me.

My chest is in his reach and positioned right about his line of sight. Sure, my tits don’t spill from my bra and my top is tucked tight into my jeans, but I’ve got shape and it’s a shape he happens to like.

He inhales deeply, holding his breath as I lift my arms out at my sides, my chest pushing higher as I do, and slowly the girls grab their drinks.

Captain’s gaze quickly drops only to come right back as fast.

In my peripheral, the girls’ heads move from Captain to me, their pretty little minds spinning, I’m sure.

My focus falls to Captain’s mouth when his tongue sneaks out, licking across his full bottom lip, but he catches himself and hastily pulls it back in. The thick veins of his neck throb against his golden skin as his eyes angrily jerk left. To the girl Chloe mentioned, the one with the heavy lip gloss who wants what’s not free for the taking.

She leans into him, speaking in a low, seductive tone that makes me want to vomit. “This is my favorite champagne. I can’t believe you have it stocked.”

I scoff and her caked over lip coils, her beady eyes slicing to mine. She takes a second, making a public show of assessing me and deciding I’m less than she.

“What.” She pushes her lips out, her free hand curling over Captain’s shoulder as she tucks herself closer. “Jealous, group home girl?”

I pop a shoulder, letting my hands fall to my sides, the move has my fingertips skating across Captain’s jeans. “Not unless you’ve got a box of dye hidden in your vag.”

That gains the attention of Royce and his little toy.

Amber, as Chloe called her, tugs back. “Ew, what?”

Royce chuckles but quickly buries his face in the girl’s neck to hide it.

I place a palm on Captain’s knee, not missing the way his muscles clench as I do and lean forward, getting in the girl’s face. I flick her hair with my middle finger, and she jolts.

“He’s got a ban on blondes,” I whisper, and Captain twitches under my touch. “Your friend will have a better chance than you... but I’m pretty sure she’s calling dibs on the only other Brayshaw she’s allowed.” I slowly stand, keeping my brown eyes on hers, not much of a shade different. “Guess you’re out of luck unless he wants to take you on, too.” I look to Royce who is now paying close attention.

He shifts in his seat, spreading his legs out farther as if to invite her between them.

Awesome, so he’s gonna fix her little Bray-less problem?

“But uh, good luck with that,” I add, and all their eyes slide to mine. “I hear he only goes for three when it’s another dick involved.”

Royce’s frown is instant, and he moves the girl from his lap as he glares at me, but when I smack the bottom of the drinks of both girls that are in reach, sending the alcohol into their laps, he cracks a grin.

They shriek and jump up—away from my man.

I move toward the stage and up the small steps.

Amber’s arms are in the air as she looks at her soiled clothes in horror. “Who the hell do you think you are, trash?!”