I have to admit, it’s intense.
And I like it, God help me.
“I was thinking moreoverdressed.”
He waves a hand at that. “It’s a formal gathering.”
“I know, but come on? Floor-length ballgown?”
“You’ll be fine, believe me. I’m in a tuxedo.”
“You’re always wearing a suit. A tux is just a fancy suit.”
“Ricardo and his wife are important people, and his guests will all be powerful and well-connected. I want you on your best behavior tonight, do you understand me?”
I elbow him in the arm. “Worried about me embarrassing you?”
“Not in the slightest, but I thought I should be clear about my expectations regardless.”
“I take it I’m working then.”
“You could call it that.”
“Alright then. I’ll break out my best party jokes. I can juggle too if that’ll be better?”
“Not funny.”
“Oh! Balloon animals!”
He catches my wrist as I pretend to make an elephant. His grip is firm as he leans in close. “Best behavior, wife, or I promise there will be a punishment waiting for you at home.”
“Are you threatening me right now?”
“Yes I am. Any issues this evening, and I will rip that expensive dress off your body and spank your pretty ass until it’s raw andpink and only when you’re shaking and begging will I finally sink my big dick into your lovely, warm, soaking wet pussy, and I will have my way with you until I’m satisfied. Do you understand?”
Oh shit. My mouth falls open and I gape in alarm, heart racing, a tingle buzzing between my legs.
“You… you can’t threaten me with sex!”
“I didn’t saysex. I said I was going to spank and fuck you, Deanna. There’s a big difference.” He releases my wrist and turns back to the window. “Enjoy the drive. We’re nearly there.”
Well fuck. I shift to my side of the car, head spinning. What the hell is with this guy? One second he’s saying how beautiful I am, and the next he’s threatening to fuck me into oblivion if I somehow embarrass him.
This party is important, that’s obvious. Whoever these people are, Prime wants to impress them. But since when does my husband care what anyone thinks?
He’s always been a maverick. Prime moves through the world like he expects it to bend to his ideas of what’s wrong and what’s right. Norms are more like suggestions in his mind.
Despite him breaking every rule imaginable, he’s still wildly successful and popular. Everyone loves him. I’ve seen women literally fall over themselves trying to get close to him and men aren’t that much different.
So why’s he suddenly acting like he cares about anything?
It’s bugging me as the car pulls into a long driveway. A perfectly manicured lawn with cute bushes and gorgeous old trees leads to a massive house. We’re in the Gladwyne neighborhood, a town right in the Main Line, Philly’s oldest and most influentialarea. Old money still lingers in this place, and I’m guessing this Ricardo guy’s got plenty of it. We’re let out before a set of palatial steps outside of which two men in dark jackets are waiting. One comes to my side and offers to help me out of the car.
But Prime’s already there. “I’ll escort my wife, thank you.”
I take his offered elbow, not sure what to say. He pats my hand like I’m his darling and we walk up through a set of double doors and into the most lavish home I’ve ever seen in my life.
Marble floors. Dangling chandelier. Old paintings on the walls. Voices and laughter echo off the high ceilings. I’d guess twenty people are in the entry alone, though there are several other rooms and a sprawling kitchen and living area toward the back of the house. It takes a lot of effort to keep my head from swiveling around like a freaking moron.