Page 72 of Sugar

And then he stretched his arm across the back of the chair.

I was surprised by the possessive position until someone excitedly cried, “There you are.”

Oh.

Duh.

The whole reason I’m here.

His hand reflexively squeezed my bare shoulder, and I sharply inhaled at his touch.

“Fuck,” he drawled quietly.

I looked over to see his gaze was on me and not whomever approached. If he was apprehensive, he didn’t need to be. I understood the assignment and offered him a reassuring smile.

It’s showtime.

The woman didn’t notice she didn’t have his attention because he didn’t have hers. Not really. She was scanning the room as she rambled. “Easton Wells, leave it to you to make a fashionably late entrance when you’re the main honoree. I thought you weren’t going to show. Vanessa would’ve had a conniption. But all that matters is you’re here. I have someone I want you to meet.”

“Me, too,” Easton said.

The woman finally dropped her gaze to look at him. At first, she didn’t seem to even notice me sitting beside him until she took in how tightly I was pressed to his side. Her wide eyes moved to his arm around me, and she did a double take.

“This is Maddie,” he introduced, pretending nothing was amiss. “Baby, this is Violet Augustian.”

I knew the pet name was just to sell that we were together—the whole purpose of our arrangement. I still liked the way it sounded far too much.

She plastered on the fakest smile I’d ever seen—which was saying something in LA. “Well, aren’t you lovely?” She swatted his arm playfully, but her tone had an edge of suspicion. “I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

Setting my hand on his thigh, I nearly forgot what I was doing at the feel of the thick muscles twitching beneath my touch. I gave myself a mental shake and laughed up at him. “I told you that you would have to stop hoarding me to yourself eventually.”

There was nothing amused about his expression when he lifted his arm from around my shoulders to palm the back of my head. “But I don’t like to share.”

Pretend or not, this man is going to melt my brain.

And my panties.

One of the other women at our table let out what could only be described as a swooning sigh—I could relate—but Violet wasn’t as moved.

She sounded disgruntled despite her pleasant words. “Well, hopefully this means you’ve learned to not be so greedy, and we’ll be seeing more of her. Like at my Davey’s birthday next weekend.”

Easton had asked for me to give him only that one night, but he didn’t hesitate to nod at the woman. “I’ll always be greedy, but we wouldn’t miss it.”

“Great.” She looked like she wanted to say more, but her panicked gaze landed across the room. “Enjoy your night.”

She didn’t wait for a response before rushing to head off a woman who was approaching. Violet spoke animatedly before they both glanced over.

They didnotlook pleased by the turn of events.

Yikes.

I leaned into Easton and tipped my head back, giving the appearance I was being affectionate when I was actually trying to ensure that no one would overhear. “Is the matchmaking always that bad?”

“No.” He gave a dramatic pause before tacking on, “It’s usually worse.”

Now I get why this agreement was worth it for him.

“Who is her Davey?” I asked.