Page 87 of Pure Recklessness

But it wasn’t an ordinary candle. It was in the shape of a giant dick, with the wick strategically placed right at the tip.

And when I glanced at the stage, giant chilli peppers were suspended from the ceiling.

‘Wowza! You look hot, hot, hot!’ Joe jumped up from his seat and rushed over. He threw his arms around me and gave me a tight squeeze, before letting go, holding my arms then scrutinising me again like a proud parent. ‘That terrible photo Dana sent didn’t do you justice. You look like a princess. How do you feel?’

‘Good,’ I said. ‘Actually, pretty amazing. Thank you both for all your help.’

‘Pleasure!’ Dana said.

‘It was so worth it. You’re glowing, honey. You’re gonna clean up with the men tonight!’ Joe grinned.

‘She already caught the eye of…’ Dana scanned the area to see who was around us. The other people on our table hadn’t arrived yet. ‘Mr BDE!’ she whispered and Joe’s jaw immediately fell open.

‘Of course she did,’ Joe said. ‘There’s not a straight guy in this room that won’t be eye-fucking this babe tonight.’

‘He looked like he wanted to throw her down on the floor and give her a good seeing-to!’ Dana chuckled.

If only that was true.

I looked around the ballroom trying to spot Mr Devlin.

Our table was near the front, so I assumed the other Sated tables must be too. My gaze flicked to the right and sure enough I spotted him at a table directly in front of the stage.

Our eyes instantly locked. Weird that he was looking over at the exact time I was.

For some reason, he was scowling. I was about to smile, but a glamorous woman tapped him on the shoulder and they started chatting.

I turned my attention back to our table where Dana was telling Joe all about our interaction with the Devlin brothers, including the fact that Oscar kissed her hand. When our table started filling up, we sat down. I took the seat between Joe and Dana.

The food came quickly and in what felt like the blink of an eye, I was polishing off my dessert. We’d had four courses and each one was delicious, including this dark chocolate tart.

‘How are you doing, hon?’ Joe put his arm around the back of my chair. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’

‘I’m having the best time. And the awards haven’t even started yet. Thanks again.’

‘Glad you’re enjoying it. The ceremony will start soon,’ Joe said.

‘I should go to the loo,’ I said.

‘Dana will be right behind you, I’m sure.’ Joe smiled. She was in deep conversation with someone, so I left her to it.

When I got up, I looked over to Mr Devlin’s table, but he was chatting with the same glamorous woman he was speaking with earlier.

This time her hand was stroking his arm.

My stomach bottomed out.

Were they together?

I shouldn’t be jealous. But I couldn’t help it.

He was a good-looking man with women falling at his feet so it was inevitable that he’d be taking a woman home with him tonight.

Just a shame that woman wouldn’t be me.

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