Page 67 of Scorch
“It’s just in a nicer cup,” Melanie drawled, looking pleased.
I took a sip and enjoyed the tangy taste.It was just as good without the elaborate cup, but Melanie seemed to think the cup was a big deal, so I didn’t point it out.
“Oh my,” Melanie said, looking over at the group of younger people standing closer to the track.
I saw Gypsi among them.Trev was talking and laughing with an attractive redhead.Gypsi seemed to be in conversation with a tall, nice-looking boy with brown hair.
“Is that your daughter?”she asked curiously.
“The blonde is,” I replied.
Melanie’s grin deepened.“She’s a replica,” she said, then leaned over to me.“And she’s talking to my son, Saxon.They seem to be enjoying their conversation.”
I studied them again and noticed the look in Gypsi’s eyes as she glanced at Trev, who I was going to guess was drunk or well on his way.The redhead clinging to him said something as she pawed at his chest, and Gypsi rolled her eyes, then turned back to Saxon.
Good girl, I thought.The Saxon kid looked mature and well mannered.I wasn’t so sure about Trev Hughes.
“I’m glad she’s making friends,” I said to Melanie.“I was worried about her last night.Afraid she was going to hate this trip, and I want her to appreciate and soak in this experience.”
Melanie’s smile was pleased.“I don’t think she’ll have any trouble making friends.From the look on my son’s face, he might not let her out of his sight.”
I took a drink of my mint julep and tried not to watch Gypsi.She was nineteen, and she didn’t need me hovering.It was just really hard not to.
“Oh!This is our race,” Melanie said to me.“Come on.Let’s get closer.”
Garrett seemed to anticipate this and was at my side almost instantly.“Ready to watch Moses Mile’s Rig win this race?”he asked, smiling broadly from me to Melanie.
“Yes!”I replied, happy to enjoy watching the Houstons’ horse compete.
I glanced down at Gypsi when we reached the edge of the suite to see the track up close.Saxon was near her ear, talking as she nodded her head.She took a drink from the glass in her hand and smiled at him.The redhead was clinging to Trev with a cup that looked like the ones Garrett had brought us.
The announcer interrupted my thoughts, and I focused on the race as my new friend cheered beside her husband.Garrett stood behind me with his hand flat against my stomach, holding me so that I was pressed against his chest in a protective stance.I would be lying if I said I didn’t love the way it felt.
The thrill of victory—the shouts, cheers, excitement—pumped through my system as Garrett opened the door to our suite.Cohiba had done as predicted and won the Kentucky Derby.It had taken much longer to handle the press, get photos taken, for Garrett to speak to those congratulating him.By the time it was over and we were headed back to the room, I was happy to have him alone even if it was for a short time before we were expected at the after-party.Gypsi had left with Saxon, and I knew she was safely back in her suite.I wanted to check on her before we left.
The door closed behind us, and I sighed, slipping off my heels and taking the hat from my head to toss it onto the long dining room table.
“That was fabulous!”I exclaimed as I spun around and smiled at Garrett, who was watching me.
“I’ve never enjoyed a derby like I did today.Seeing the pure delight on your face made it perfect.”
I smiled and tilted my head as I licked my lips.“Are you sure that was me or the fact that every horse you’d brought won their race?”
He raised his eyebrows and stalked toward me.“It was you.This isn’t my first win, pretty baby.”
I loved the way he looked at me.He stopped when he reached me and cupped my face in his hand.
“So fucking beautiful,” he murmured.
His touch was gentle.In fact, his touch was always gentle these days.The way he had once roughly touched me, choked me, spanked me had all stopped.I kept waiting for him to unleash it again, but he hadn’t.The last time he’d been rough with me was the day I walked out of his house.
I was starting to think that he was never going to fuck me like that again if I didn’t do something.He was too gentle.I liked the gentle.But not all the time.There could be a balance.The debauchery of his savage fucking was something I didn’t want to lose.
“Garrett,” I said as he brushed his thumb over my bottom lip.
“Yes, pretty baby?”he asked.
I took a nip at his thumb, biting down hard enough to see the flare in his eyes before letting go.“Do I need to be a bad girl to get spanked and choked?”I asked.
