Page 134 of If You Claim Me

“Adorable,” Tristan agrees.

“Don’t encourage him.” I scowl as Connor beams.

Half an hour later I’m wearing a dress that shows off every curve I have and a pair of shoes that probably cost as much as a month’s rent. I won’t even think about the price of the dress.

Connor’s hand is placed protectively—and possessively—on my back as we enter the club. His brow is deliciously furrowed, and his jaw is tight.

“You’re rather tense,” I observe.

“I wonder why,” he grumbles.

“If you didn’t want me to wear the dress, you should have said something.” I’m poking the bear. Intentionally.

“I thought when I said I liked it the best you would choose something else.”

“So youdon’tlike this dress?”

“No, I love this dress. You look fucking edible. I hoped the reverse psychology and honesty would work in my favor and push your defiant little buttons.”

“Guess that backfired, eh?”

“Immensely, yes.”

“Does that mean you plan to spend the night broody and glowering?”

“It’s quite possible.”

The air around us is now vibrating with bass.

“Oh! This is my favorite song! Let’s dance!” Tally grabs my hand, and I wave over my shoulder, my smile widening as Connor’s expression darkens.

Quinn claps him on the shoulder and hands him a drink.

“Connor looks like he wants to eat you alive,” Tally shouts.

“He’s pretty annoyed that I’m wearing the dress he said he loved,” I reply.

She frowns. “I don’t get it.”

“I think he’d rather she just wear it for him, and not for everyone else,” Rix explains, motioning to all the bodies surrounding us.

“Oh! That makes sense. I can’t wait until I have someone who gets all territorial over me.” Tally flips her hair over her shoulder and glances toward the guys. “And not the way my ex was.”

“Gotta say, I’m glad you’ve moved on from him.” Hemi side-hugs her.

“Me too. I know he wasn’t everyone’s favorite. Especially not my dad’s.” She rolls her eyes. “At least I never had sex with him.”

“Small mercies.” I exchange a look with Rix.

“Not that he didn’t try…” Tally rolls her eyes. “They always try. Half the reason he wanted to date me was because he knew I was a virgin. He did the whole candles-and-sex-soundtrack thing once. He wanted to be able to tell his friends he popped my cherry. And then he lied and told them he did anyway—and also that I’m a shitty lay.”

My eyebrows rise. “This guy sounds like a high-level douche.” Flip better never find out about this or he’ll bury him.

“I got him back by telling the girlfriend of one of his friends that he was a premature ejaculator.”

Rix wrinkles her nose. “Was he?”

“Oh yeah. He always came in, like, under two minutes. And I never got to come.” Tally crosses her arms and pouts—but only for a moment before the beat is too much to resist and she’s dancing again.