Bait for a Gentleman novel Chapter 40

"Obviously," Zachary slurred, casually resting his hand on Audrina's waist. "I have to make sure my girl has a good time tonight."

Sitting directly across from them, Sebastian cradled a glass of whiskey, his knuckles stretched taut.

His icy gaze flicked over Zachary's hand before zeroing in on her face.

She refused to look at him.

But she knew exactly where his eyes were.

Right then, a new figure approached their table.

Vera, wearing a clinging silver slip dress and sporting flawless makeup, approached with a practiced, elegant smile.

"Sorry I'm late," she announced, stopping at the booth and scanning the seating arrangement.

Zachary sat beside Audrina. Beside Audrina was Willow. Beside Willow was Carter. The only empty spot was directly next to Sebastian.

She hesitated for a split second before walking over and claiming the seat.

"Zachary," she called out over the table, "I didn't get a chance to toast you at dinner. Can I make it up to you now?"

The atmosphere was already bizarre enough; her arrival plunged it into pure chaos.

He grunted a response, a dark scowl crossing his face, before turning completely away from her to focus on his fiancée.

Vera's smile shattered.

Willow leaned into Audrina, whispering, "What the hell is she doing here?"

"No clue."

"Unbelievably shameless."

"Ignore her."

Carter clapped his hands, trying to spark some life back into the group. "Alright, let's play some games. Drink up, people."

They started a few standard drinking games. It was a bizarre assembly of people, and everyone's mind was completely elsewhere.

Every so often, Zachary would lean in and ask, "Darling, when are we going back to the room?"

Before Audrina could answer,

Sebastian raised his glass in a silent challenge. "Zachary, we rarely get to hang out. It's far too early to turn in."

Beaming, Audrina pushed full glasses of liquor toward her fiancé. Unwilling to back down, Zachary took every shot.

Sitting opposite them, Vera chewed her lower lip raw as she watched the display.

Right before she'd gone on stage today, he had been coaxing her in bed.

He had insisted that today was a massive corporate event, begging her to be good and keep a low profile.

"Yeah... bed. I wanna... sleep with you."

He couldn't even stand straight, yet he still remembered what he was after.

A mocking twist curled Audrina's lips. With how wasted he was, could he even get it up?

Still, he was tall, and half his weight was crushing her.

She had drank quite a bit herself, and her wobbly steps made carrying him incredibly difficult.

Sebastian, looking intensely displeased, finally reached out. "Let me."

"Thanks."

Willow and Carter remained at the table, watching the trio leave.

Carter muttered in disbelief, "Since when did he become such a lovesick fool?"

Thinking he was insulting Audrina, Willow glared at him.

Carter met her glare. "What are you looking at? Still want to go, lightweight?"

"...Who are you calling a lightweight? I am going to drink you under the table!"

"Bring it on!"