Cav shakes his head. “No. Win’s been living in her own little world for too long now. It’s time she rejoins the rest of us in the real world. But Bo’s got his work cut out for him. She’s as resistant as any woman I’ve ever met to the idea of getting into another relationship. That’s why it was so easy for us to be friends.”
I want to ask the obvious question—You really didn’t sleep with her?—but I keep it locked down. There’s nothing to be gained by asking. If he did, it’s going to ruin my mood, and it’s kind of unfair of me to judge because I was sleeping with Tristan, but Cav doesn’t hold that against me. And secondly, I like Win, and I don’t want to feel an urge to claw her eyes out the next time I’m within two feet of her.
Yep, the newfound cray-cray jealous streak is still alive and well. Some questions are best left unasked.
Cav and I finish eating, talking to a few more people who wander by the table. So far, I’ve met more famous people in the last hour than in my entire life. My brother might be well connected, but that doesn’t mean I get to rub elbows with most of his connections. Besides, investment bankers and industry titans aren’t quite the same as larger-than-life film stars.
The best part about tonight? I’m learning a lot about Cav from these interactions. He’s well liked, humbler than most, and seems very proud to have me on his arm. I don’t talk much, mostly saying what I think is the right thing when it’s my turn.
Cav and I leave the table after speaking with a director I think he’d like to work with—gleaned from my mad observational skills. He leads me back outside to the pool area and sits on a chaise lounge before pulling me down beside him. My third glass of red is going down just as smoothly as the last two, and I’m hoping I can discreetly ask Windsor what this incredible vintage is.
Cav is also on his third drink. I can smell the Scotch on his lips when he tucks his arm around my hips and leans down to ghost them over mine.
“You fit in here.”
His words are a boost of confidence I didn’t know I needed. I’ve been telling myself all night that these people aren’t that different from me. I face many of the same challenges without having the same job. And I could probably buy and sell several of them, so there’s that.
“I’m glad you think so.” I pause, considering whether it’s actually the compliment I took it as. “That’s a good thing, right?”
Cav looks down at me, his brow furrowed. “Of course. Why wouldn’t it be?”
I shrug. “It’s clear you don’t like all of these people, so I guess I wanted to make sure.”
He considers before responding. “Do you like all the people in your crowd in New York?”
“Of course not.”
“But would it matter to you that I fit in with them?”
“Yes and no. I don’t care whether I fit in with them all the time, and they can be pretentious as hell.”
Cav scans the room. “I feel the same way about the people here. There are plenty I’d rather avoid, a few I really like, and the rest I can either take or leave. What I was trying to say is I’m glad you don’t feel out of place. This isn’t the easiest crowd to work, but I never doubted you’d be able to handle it.”
Again, his words fill me with warmth. When did it become so important to me to fit into his world?
When you decided you couldn’t stand the thought of letting him go. The voice in my head doesn’t let me get away with too much bullshit.
I drain the rest of my wineglass and set it on the glass-topped side table next to the chaise lounge and stand.
“I need to find the ladies’ room.”
Cav rises beside me. “I’ll lead the way.”
I’m tipsier than I expected, or maybe it’s just the überhigh heels, because I lean on Cav for support to keep me steady.
“You good?” he asks.
“I think so.” The warm glow of a good buzz shimmers over my skin, putting me in a chill and happy mood.
Cav leads me around what seems like a quarter mile of hallways until he pushes open a door and flips on the lights. “I’ll be outside.”
I slip into the bathroom, which, like the rest of Windsor’s home, is perfectly appointed. I’m washing my hands and admiring the cool fixtures when the door pops open and Cav steps inside and locks it behind him.
I meet his eyes in the mirror. “Knocking. It’s a concept.”
“You forget that I don’t ask permission, baby girl.”
That’s when I notice the heat flaring in his gaze and his hand tucked into his pocket.
He pulls out a silky bag and holds it up. “Do you have any idea how hard it’s been carrying this around all night and waiting for the perfect time to use it?”
“That’s a hard question to answer when I don’t know what it is.”
“Bend over. I want your fingertips touching the mirror and your eyes on mine the whole time.”
My body responds on command as my nipples harden against the bodice of my dress. All night, I’ve been acutely aware of the ache he left and his promises about later. Not to mention how careful I’ve been to keep my legs squeezed shut to prevent any accidental flashes of nakedness.
“Here? Now?”