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Briana
This was worsethan anything I'd imagined. I thought Elroy might show up at the house, harass and threaten me a bit, but this wasn't a scenario that had crossed my mind at any point in time.
“He's not my husband,” I snapped. Even though I was speaking to Dorian – mostly – I kept my eyes on Elroy, not trusting him to not do something even more moronic. Like take a swing at Dorian. “He's my ex.”
“And the father of your child,” Elroy reminded with a smug smile. “Don't act like you're some virgin mother or something. I know for a fact that ain't the case since I popped that cherry myself.”
Heat flooded my face, half from embarrassment, half from anger.
“Don't talk to her like that,” Dorian said, the warning clear.
I noticed that Dorian had put himself ever-so-slightly in front of me, and while I loved the protective gesture, I knew that also meant Elroy would take anything Dorian said as encroaching on his territory. Because that was how Elroy had always seen me. As property.
I needed to diffuse the situation before something bad happened.
“Let's just go,” I said to Dorian.
Elroy's eyes hardened. “You only just got here. Don't let me stop whatever it was you were going to do for your billionaire date.”
I didn't need the emphasis on the last word to know that he'd chosen it specifically because that was how most prostitutes referred to the time they spent with their johns. From the highest-class escort to the streetwalker on the corner. I didn't know if using that word made any of them feel less ashamed or sick, but it never had for me.
He didn't leave it at that though. “It's not like I've never seen it before.”
“I won't warn you again,” Dorian said.
There was nothing particularly frightening about the words themselves, but there was something about his tone that sent an icy shiver down my spine. I could tell Elroy felt it too, as he took a step back. He'd always been a coward.
“This isn't over,” he snarled at me before he walked past us, giving Dorian a wide berth.
When Elroy was out of earshot, Dorian grabbed my hand and turned me to face him. “Are you okay?”
I nodded. I'd already blinked back my tears, not wanting him to know how much Elroy being here had affected me.
We'd been having such a good night before Elroy showed up. Even if my plan not to let Dorian into my heart wasn't exactly working, I was enjoying myself. I decided during dinner that it would be worth the heartbreak to have this time with him, and while I still felt that way, Elroy's appearance had thrown a wrench into things.
“What was that about?” Dorian brushed a strand of hair from my face. His touch warmed me to the core. His mouth tightened. “Is there something going on between you guys that I should know about?”
I almost laughed. Dorian wanted to know if there were still feelings between Elroy and me, but I very much doubted he meant a connection forged by blackmail opportunities.
“He's always like that.” Not a lie, either. “You know what, it's not so big a deal that my voicemail isn't on. Let's just leave it and go up to your room.”
I didn't want him to ask any more questions. They would only get harder and harder to answer. If he broke my heart by leaving again, by being indifferent to how I felt about him, that was one thing. I didn't know if I could survive him being disgusted with me.
We headed back for the elevator. As we walked, Dorian threaded his fingers between mine, gently stroking my palm with his thumb, and I reveled in the comfort his touch offered. I'd noticed him keeping a small distance between us when we were out in public, and I figured it was safe to reason that he hadn't wanted to do anything while I was on the clock. Fair enough, I supposed. Not that I would have minded a little hand-holding every once in a while despite what people would've thought. It was nice to share affectionate moments like this. Sweet moments. I loved our lust-driven touching too, but it couldn't take the place of something so innocently simple.
As we made our way back to the elevators, I kept expecting Elroy to pop back up again. I didn't feel like I could breathe openly until we were back in Dorian's suite, and I didn't start to fully relax until I downed my first glass of champagne while we watched the city sparkle and flow from the balcony, high above the world. I let the alcohol ease the negative tension while it stoked the fire between us.
I sighed. “This is exactly where I want to be right now.” The words popped out without me thinking.
Dorian's response, however, made me glad I'd opened up that little bit.
“I wholeheartedly agree. And I couldn't ask for better company.”
“Really?” I teased. “You're saying out of the whole wide world you'd choose me over someone much more fabulous? Like Heidi Klum or something.”
From his seat on the lounger beside me, he let out a bark of laughter. “I can think of several people I'd be here with over the likes of any model,” he replied. “Not that I have anything against them. But I can't think of anyone I'd be here with over you.”
My heart swelled until it hurt.
