Page 51 of Illicit Games

“I thought you didn’t find it interesting,” I tease.

“I don’t.”

“Then why are we watching it?”

“To see how well you can concentrate while I—” His hand slips between my thighs, pushing a finger between my folds. “—do this.”

I don’t even make it a few minutes before I’m coming on his hand.

Chapter Fourteen

Iris

“I think Nova invited the whole city,” grumbles Rosalie, pacing back and forth. The long black skirt of her cocktail gown swishes on the shiny floor. “Or probably threatened them. No way even half of them care about dogs. They’re just here to get in Nova’s good graces.”

Tonight is the opening of Rosalie’s animal shelter, Paw Army. She began working on it last year with Justin Merchant. The billionaire real estate developer and one of our close friends, who constructed the world-class hospital and shelter for Rosalie.

The gala is not only to celebrate the launch but also to raise funds since Paw Army is a nonprofit. Although she exudes her usual confident self on the outside, I can still sense her palpable anxiety about the grand party.

She isn’t exaggerating when she says the entire city has shown up. I take a peek at the ballroom. It’s filled to the brim. The last time I saw this many people was at her wedding. Unlike that function, this is a happy occasion.

I’ve seen how hard Rosalie has worked on this since last year. She was involved in every step, working day and night tomake sure things ran smoothly. Witnessing her dream come to fruition is nothing short of inspiring. I’m so proud of my best friend.

Despite the tension between me and her regarding Kian, there’s no way I’d miss being by her side.

I met the girls at Rosalie’s place in the afternoon, where Rosalie had invited the stylist and the makeup artist to help us get ready. It was exactly what I needed to get my mind off the other stressful complications in my life.

“Who cares?” Bianca replies from beside me, where we’re sitting on the couch. “As long as they’re writing a big fat check for the donation.”

Two of Rosalie’s pets, Bunny and Maggie, sit near our feet, watching their mommy strut back and forth.

“If I can convince them with my speech first.” Abruptly stopping to face us, she scowls, “My mom says I need to smile more while speaking up onstage. Do you guys think I’m not smiling enough?”

I bite my lip to stop from laughing at her predicament. She utters it like her mom is asking her to jump off a cliff.

“Well, we don’t want to scare the donors away, Ro,” I softly say.

“I don’t know what I should be smiling about. These are some sick and brutally abused dogs I’m trying to raise money for.” Pinching the bridge of her nose, she sighs. “Schmoozing with people is my mom’s and sister’s thing. I am not built for this. Hell, even Nova is better suited.”

“No one is more perfectly built for this great cause than you, Ro,” I tell her fiercely. “Just speak from your heart.”

“I don’t want to mess this up.”

“You won’t,” murmurs Bianca. “It’s okay to be nervous.”

“I want to make Nova proud.” Her stunning features soften at the mention of her husband. “None of this would’ve beenpossible if it weren’t for him. He made my dream come true without asking for anything in return. I have to make this shelter succeed.”

“I couldn’t be more proud of you, Rose.”

The three of us turn our heads toward the doorway.

A handsomely dressed Nova in a crisp tux stands at the threshold, holding their pet dog, Fire, in his arms. His dark eyes stay locked on his wife with nothing but love and possessiveness. Dropping a wiggling Fire to the floor, he saunters straight to Rose without sparing either Bianca or me a glance. We may as well not exist to him.

Pulling an emotional Rosalie against his body with an arm around her waist, he cradles her cheek and smiles. “You will succeed, sweetheart.”

“You think so?” she asks, leaning her face into his palm.

“I know so. You are going to save so many dogs. It’s all that matters,” he tells her, kissing her mouth. “I might have helped, butyoudid this. Once all those guests outside hear you talk up on that stage, they’ll be in awe of you. The same way I am.”