Twenty Four

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I wake up next to Preston and my body feels like it's on fire. My skin is damp with sweat. My stomach is twisted in heavy knots. My thighs are clenched tightly. My entire body is throbbing with an ache I've never felt before.

I feel as if the flame is so close I can taste it, but it never burns me. It only stokes the need deep inside of me.

My mind is torn between pressing my body further into Preston's and never letting him go or fleeing his room before he wakes up to save myself from having to face him.

I do the latter. I'm too confused and too on edge to face him in the bright light of morning.

So I quietly untangle myself from his body and head home with a restless heart. I enter my apartment only to find my roommate and her cousin sitting at the kitchen counter waiting for me with raised brows and suspicious smirks hanging on their lips.

With a sigh I tell them that nothing happened. Just as I had suspected. But of course that doesn't appease my nosy friends so I tell them everything else that surrounded the nothing. The fight. The drunk dial. The clean up. The talking after. The falling asleep.

It all meant nothing, and yet it meant everything all at once.

It's confusing and maddening.

It's distracting as all hell honestly. So I shove it aside and pretend none of it happened. Because at the end of the day I told Preston I'm done and I need to act on that or I'm always going to be hanging on to him waiting for his half truths.

And I deserve more.

So after spilling all the details and swearing up and down that nothing happened between Preston and myself I finally head to the shower to try and cool down my overheated skin. But even the cool water doesn't help. If anything it only makes the blood in my veins run hotter. The heat is overwhelming and sweltering and it feels as if nothing can fix it.

I'm not accustomed to being so warm.

But in a twisted way it's fitting for the night ahead of me.

Lust night.

After last night a part of me wants to find an excuse to back out of the evening. But I know I can't. I promised Elizabeth I would go and I can't go back on my word to her.

Plus we went shopping for stupidly expensive lingerie that if I'm being honest I'm extremely excited to wear. It's like nothing I've ever owned. It's exquisite, delicate, and sexy. It makes me feel beautiful in a way I've never felt and it's something I know my mother would hate.

Which only makes me love it even more.

The day passes quickly as we all take our time preparing for the night. We shower, shave, exfoliate, pluck and tweeze away in attempts to look our absolute best. We even do face masks while sipping on rosé together. It's the perfect girls day that will end in a night that already has goosebumps tattooing my skin.

The sun is setting before we know it, and my heart continues to race in my chest with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

I take another sip of the wine Elizabeth keeps pouring into my glass. It helps to keep the nerves that want to swallow me whole at bay.

I've finally finished getting ready and my fingers can't help but play with the gold pendant resting on my chest as I glance at myself in the mirror. I almost don't recognize the woman in the mirror.

The black bra I wear is opaque and covered in intricate black lace with an open strappy back. The lace extends below the wire of the bra in a pretty scallop shape before connecting to a sheer piece of black fabric that flows from my waist and ends at the top of my thighs.

The underwear matches with the strappy detail crossing my hips and lace fabric that covers most of my ass.

It's sensual without showing too much.

I slip on a pair of black Jimmy Choo ankle strap heels that tie the entire look together in a way that has confidence pulsing through my body.

The only jewelry I wear is my Joan of Arc necklace, but for makeup I go heavier than I usually do on the eyeshadow going for a more Smokey look. But I keep my lip simple with just some clear gloss. I even paint my nails black to match the lingerie.

"Shit!" Elizabeth shouts from my bedroom door making me jump at her sudden appearance. I still thought she was in Annabelle's room getting ready.

"What?" I question running my fingers down the fabric, suddenly worried something is wrong with my outfit.

I lift my attention to her wide brown eyes as she continues to stare at me with her mouth agape. "You look fucking hot."

My cheeks flame at her words. "Shut up Liz," I murmur waving my hand at her in dismissal.

She shakes her head as she walks over to me. "No no no. I will not be shutting up about this Jameson. You look amazing," she gushes and while her words do embarrass me, because I've never been one to take compliments well, they also make my heart sing with happiness.

"Thanks," I reply with a soft smile. I flip around from the mirror, fully taking in my friend. "You're the one who truly looks amazing."

She covered her dark skin in a sparkly body butter and she's literally glowing under the light of my room. She's in a matching bra and thong set that is made of sheer mesh but covered in red applique roses. It's simple, yet stunning.

Her black hair is curled into soft waves, and her lingerie matches her lipstick perfectly along with her stilettos. She's sex on a stick and every guy is going to be after her tonight.

"Yes, but I always look this amazing," she comments as if it's an obvious facts, and I roll my eyes at her playfully.

But she's not wrong. She does always look perfect.

I place a hand frantically on my hip. "Are you saying I don't?" I question as I narrow my green eyes at her.

She doesn't say a word, she just arches an eyebrow at me.

"Bitch!" I laugh as I shove her lightly making her giggle as well.

She tilts her head towards the kitchen. "Come on. Anna is pouring us shots."

I chuckle as I follow my friend to see a line of chilled tequila shots all lined up for us.

Annabelle is all dolled up in an all white lace bra and cheeky underwear set that looks great against her tan skin. It also came with a little lace wrap skirt that barely covers her ass. She looks angelic and sexy all at once in a way that only she could pull off. She has on nude strappy heels and is wearing delicate gold jewelry.

My roommate hands me my glass with salt on the rim and a sliced lime resting on top.

"Is it weird that I feel nervous?" I ask as my teeth run over my bottom lip.

Elizabeth laughs. Loudly. "If you weren't nervous James I would be seriously worried about you."

Good point, I think to myself.

"I for one am freaking the fuck out," Annabelle confesses. Her rosy cheeks flush even more at her words.

"Isn't your frat boy going to be there tonight?" I ask with a wiggle of my eyebrows. She mentioned to us early that they were texting about the night ahead.

"Maybe," she trails trying to hide the smile that wants to overtake her face.

"Maybe." Both Elizabeth and I sing mockingly.

Annabelle sticks her tongue out at us before downing her shot. She winces silently before she quickly pours herself another one. We always have a proper toast before a night out. It's a tradition.

"Whatever tonight brings," Elizabeth starts as she lifts her glass in the air, "we will always have each other."

"Always," I echo with a smile on my lips before I toss back the shot letting the alcohol add to the fire that's already raging inside my body.

I step out of the Uber with my trench coat wrapped tightly around my waist. It's the end of October, but it's not as cold as it should be. It's warm, humid even and the air is too thick. It's eerie and chilling, yet appropriate for a night such as this one.

We're in Manhattan again because the final party of the week is at Everett's apartment. His apartment takes up the entire floor and he has private access to the roof and tents the entire thing and fills it with heaters so the fact that everyone is barely clothed isn't an issue.

Nerves prick all over my skin sharp as needles as we arrive at his apartment and step out of the elevator together. I'm doing it, I'm at lust night, and I'm not going to run away. I'm not going to hide. I'm going to walk in with my best friends by my side and with my head held high.

I try not to think of Preston or my brother or any of the other many worries that want to drag me down.

As soon as we step inside it's like we've been transported. All of his furniture that was here during the last party we attended is gone. Candles and small lights illuminate the entire place with a soft glow that sets a very obvious mood for the party. All of the windows are covered with red and black silk. Even though it's one way glass it makes the space feel even more intimate with them being covered.

Like anything could happen here.

Three poles are placed around the apartment and women are working them in moves I could only dream of attempting. They look graceful and powerful and of course sinfully sexy as they grind and twirl around the poles to the bass shaking music the DJ is playing.

Though I can't see one anywhere so I suspect he is up on the roof or on the other side of the apartment. I almost forgot how insanely huge the place was as I take in the space around me.

Women are dressed in intricate lingerie and men are wearing boxers or briefs as they walk around with drinks in their hands.

With a deep breath we pull our jackets off and hand them to the masked woman working the coat check. There are others like her carrying trays and flirting with guests. A part of me wonders how empowering it would be to wear a mask at a party where you know nobody and work it with such confidence.

"Drinks?" I suggest as I try not to get too anxious at the fact that we are officially here.

Both my friends eagerly nod in agreement.

We pregamed a lot knowing we would need the liquid courage, but the nerves ate away at most of the buzz I initially had. And I desperately need it back if I'm going to survive the night ahead of us.

The three of us head to the kitchen that is stocked up like a high end club with an entire shelf of Dom Perignon on display and another masked woman working the counter.

As we look through the selection of liquor I glance up and spot my brother, Everett and Lawrence near a dancer. Everett is sitting on one of the few chairs in the area as the dancer begins to give him a lap dance. A blunt rests between his lips and his hands clasp behind his head as he leans back to admire the woman grinding on him.

My eyes then lift to Aiden and Lawrence who are talking to Charlotte and her cousin Lilith. Annoyance surges through me and I roll my eyes at the way Charlotte trails her fingers down my brother's bare chest. She's openly flirting with him and it pisses me off. Lawrence and Lilith are talking, more like whispering, as they slink into the shadows away from all the prying eyes.

Curiosity sparks within me, but I push it to the side as my eyes continue to flicker around the room. I want to pretend I'm not looking for Preston, but of course I am. I always am.

But I don't spot him anywhere, and disappointment wants to flare to life within me, but I don't allow it because I have to focus on the now.

And tonight has nothing to do with Preston. Or my brother. Or the heirs in general.

So I turn to my friends just as Elizabeth gets three glasses of champagne passed to her. She hands them to us and we all clink glasses.

"This doesn't seem so bad yet," my roommate comments as her eyes take in the scantily dressed crowd around us. And she's right. It doesn't seem so scary yet.

But it's also early.

Suddenly an arm is wrapped around my shoulder and my gaze lifts to see eyes the color of whiskey locked on me. My lips part in surprise to see him at my side and not getting a lap dance across the room.

"That's because it's still so early ladies," Everett says as he slings another arm around Annabelle pulling us in close.

He smells like weed and liquor, but he also smells warm and it's intoxicating to be around.

My roommate's cheeks flush at his touch and Elizabeth doesn't stop herself from openly checking out the man who's only wearing a pair of Playboy bunny printed silk boxers.

His eyes continue to watch me. "Have fun last night Jamie?"

My eyes go cold at the use of the nickname and the mention of the night before. "A blast," I state dryly.

I don't know what, if anything, Preston told him happened the night before but I'm not here to give him any details.

"Well, hopefully tonight is even better."

"Anything exciting on the itinerary?" Elizabeth asks with a mischievous smirk playing on her lips.

"Strippers here all night—"

But Elizabeth doesn't let him finish. "Kind of sexist, there are no male exotic dancers for us," she remarks with a pop of her hip.

Everett lets his gaze fall over every inch of bare skin Elizabeth has on display. "That's what I'm for baby," he flirts and I almost gag. "But they are upstairs in the private room."

"On the roof? Really?" she pushes obviously not fully believing him.

"I'm an equal pleasure opportunist," he insists.

"I'm sure you are," I mumble under my breath.

Everett's gaze falls back to me. "As I was saying, strippers are here all night. The master suite is set up for any kink your heart desires. We are stocked on condoms, lube, toys, and all the drugs you could need. I personally suggest the E if you need to loosen up. People are free to shed their clothes and heavily encouraged to act on any and every fantasy, which means public sex will start at some point. I love to watch, but am always down to participate if the offer comes from the right person."

His attention turns back towards Elizabeth at the mention of the right person.

"Okay, I need another drink away from..whatever the hell this is," I say motioning between my flirty best friend and the slutty heir wrapped around me and my roommate.

"Same!" Annabelle calls out next to me obviously not wanting to be around this anymore than I am.

"There's another bar through the living room and one upstairs also. Rooftop access is on the other side."

I nod at his words and both Annabelle and I duck out from under Everett's hold and down our glasses of bubbly. We then set the glasses down and leave the disgusting flirting behind as we weave through the crowd to the other side of his massive apartment. Past the living room is another open space decorated the exact same as the one we entered into.

A waitress walks by with a tray of pills, powder, and weed and we both shake our heads at her offer and continue to make our way to the bar.

I smoked weed once and thought I was dying the entire time I was high, and haven't touched the stuff since. But alcohol, alcohol is always fun.

We step up to the bar and wait for the bartender to come over to us. "Do you think they are going to hook up?" Annabelle asks with her nose all scrunched up in disgust over the idea.

I let out a dry chuckle. Elizabeth has always wanted to hook up with an heir. "Probably, but I really hope in a room cause that's something no one ever needs to see."

Annabelle shudders at my words before the bartender comes over to save us. Thankfully.

We order two shots of fireball and take them with ease as the warmth settles in my chest and joins the fire already flaming in my veins.

I then notice a guy watching Annabelle and I realize why he looks so familiar. "I think Mr. Frat boy is here," I tell her, lifting my empty shot glass behind her.

Her face instantly brightens. "Really?"

"Look," I encourage and she peeks at him over her shoulder as a giddiness radiates off of her.

Worry then paints across her soft features as she faces me. "How do I look?"

She has nothing to be nervous about because she looks beautiful. So I tell her just that. "Perfect."

She chews on her lip for a moment. "Are you okay if I go over there? You can come and meet him—"

But I wave her off. "I'm good, I need to run to the bathroom anyways."

"You sure?" she double checks.

I nod. "Completely."

The smile she shines at me takes up her entire face before she turns and walks over to the guy she is crushing on harder than I've ever seen her crush before. I'm happy for her, maybe even a little jealous of how easy it is for her. I feel guilty for the feeling, but it's also the truth. So it's okay. I've come to terms with the fact that I wasn't born for easy.

I begin to walk towards a hallway where I suspect a bathroom is located because there's a couple girls already in line.

I make my way over and stand behind them as they both go inside and I lean against the wall waiting.

"Hey." At the sound of a voice I don't recognize my head turns to see a guy smiling at me. He's leaning against the wall across from me. He looks familiar but I can't place his name. He's attractive with his light blonde hair and brown eyes and a six pack that's clearly on view as he's only in a pair of boxer briefs.

"Hi," I reply, not completely sure why he's talking to me in the first place.

He steps closer and instinctively I want to back away, but I'm already against a wall. "You want a drink?"

I shake my head but keep a small smile on my lips. "No thanks. I'm good," I say politely as I start to glance behind him for my friends.

Elizabeth is nowhere in view and Annabelle has her back to me as she continues to talk to her crush.

The man takes another step towards me and this time I do attempt to step away by shifting further down the hall. "Why not? I hear the bartenders make a mean old fashion," he tells me as his eyes trail my body, but it doesn't make me feel powerful. Instead my skin crawls at the idea of him even touching me or being anywhere near me.

"I'm sure you do..." I trail. "But I'm really okay," I make sure to emphasize as I finally make my move to turn and leave the hallway.

But he takes a step to stop me from escaping. "You look really hot," he drawls and my stomach flips in revolt at his words but my face hardens.

"Seriously?" I deadpan as fierce irritation strikes me directly in the chest only igniting the fire already alive in me.

"What? Can't you take a compliment?"

My eyes narrow. "I can actually. But not when they come with strings. I don't want your drinks or your empty compliments because I'm not going to suck your dick in return," I spit at him as I walk away refusing to let him ruin my night.

But as soon as I step away a hand lands on my upper arm and forcefully pulls me back.

I'm about to swing around and slap the asshole who thinks he can touch me let alone grab me when a deep voice jumps out of the shadows.

"Leave." The dark voice is abrupt and chilling and one I'd know from anywhere. My head snaps to meet Preston's gaze and I don't miss the way his eyes are glued to my body and the lingerie that covers me.

While initially relief floods me at his presence it's quickly followed by anger as I shoot him a dirty glare. I don't need help.

The guy keeps his hand on me, tightening his grip even under the ruthless gaze of Preston. "Why? You can't stake a claim on every girl here tonight Rothwell."

The smile that stretches over Preston's lips sends a shiver down my spine. It's big but it's cold and intimidating as hell. "I can do whatever the fuck I want O'Brian, and if I wanted to stop you from putting your

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