Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77857 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 260(@300wpm)
“Come on. We’re friends now. We derby’d together,” he teased.
I stepped forward and took his arm. This day had been nothing like I’d expected.
We left the suite and turned to head in the opposite direction as the winner’s circle. My eyes, however, landed on Trev as he whispered in Eliza’s ear, making her smile. Cameras flashed around them, and for a moment, I envied her, but I knew that I couldn’t have done that. The actual Kentucky Derby winner would be all over the media. Photos splashed everywhere. That was a risk I wasn’t taking.
Apparently, there was a winner’s circle party that we would be attending, but after it was over, Garrett had his own private party that we would move to.
I was limited on time to get changed and refreshed for the winner’s circle party. Saxon had said he’d be back for me and escort me there. He had seemed to want to do it, so I didn’t argue or tell him he didn’t have to. After all, I did feel as if we had forged a friendship today. One I wished I could keep. Maybe I’d feel safe enough to do so soon.
The soft, shiny chiffon of my dress hit just below mid-thigh and clung to my body. The back was a low drop with spaghetti straps that sparkled even more than the black shimmer of the rest of the material. Thankfully, there was no hat tonight. I pulled my curls up with a silver clip that was hidden under my hair to get it off my back and neck.
Mom had stopped by on her way to make sure I was having a good time and ask me about Saxon. She’d met his parents, and she said his mother had seemed thrilled that he was spending time with me. It had been a short visit, but she’d been so vibrant and ready for the evening that I hadn’t wanted to keep her.
The doorbell startled me. I’d never known hotel rooms to have doorbells, but then this was more like an apartment. Slipping on my shoes, I headed for the door.
Opening it, I smiled at Saxon, then held up a finger. “Give me one minute,” I told him, then bent down to fasten the strap around my ankle.
When I managed it, I stood up and started to apologize for not being ready when my eyes locked on Trev walking out of his door across the wide hallway. The smile that lit up his face was completely different from the angry Trev earlier.
“My friends!” he called out.
Saxon turned then to see Trev heading toward us. “Ready to go celebrate?”
“Hell yeah, I am,” Trev replied. “I think I’m supposed to pick up Eliza, but I can’t remember where I left her. Besides, I have my dates.” He walked up to Saxon and threw his arm around his shoulders. Then, he smacked a loud kiss on Saxon’s cheek and threw out his other arm. “Come here, Lollipop.”
“Lollipop?” Saxon asked.
Trev grinned. “Yep. Lollipop. Her lips are fucking sweet. Taste like candy.”
My gaze swung to Saxon, and he raised his eyebrows.
“It wasn’t like that. I was supposed to kiss his cheek, and he turned his head at the last minute,” I explained, feeling my face heat up from even having to explain this. I probably hadn’t needed to, but it’d made me sound bad. Or maybe Tyde’s words were still controlling me.
Trev laughed. “I got moves.”
Turning away from them, I closed the door and took a second to regroup before facing them.
Trev held out his arm. “Come on, Lollipop. This is your side.”
Not wanting to make this weird, I walked over to him, and he slung his arm around my shoulders. Then, he pressed his lips against my cheek. The scent of whiskey on his breath was intense. Saxon had been right. Trev was drunk.
“Let’s go do this thing,” he announced and started walking us to the elevator.
I wasn’t sure how long we were supposed to walk like this, but it was going to be difficult for us to get into the elevator this way.
“Do I need to text Eliza and find out if you’re supposed to pick her up?” Saxon asked.
Trev turned to look down at me. “Is that what I should do?”
Why was he asking me? “Yes, if she is expecting you to pick her up, then that would be a good idea.”
He frowned. “Sax always does the right thing. He’s good like that.”
The elevator opened, and Saxon moved out from under Trev’s arm. “Come on in, and I’ll text her. Is she staying here?”
“No fucking clue,” Trev replied, then laughed as he dropped his arm from around my shoulders, letting it go to my lower back. When his hand touched my skin, he stilled, then peered over my shoulder to look at my back. “Damn, Lollipop. I like this dress.”