5
Erika stewed through the first part of dinner. Two of the three men brought their wives and the one woman brought her husband. They were all very nice, but Erika struggled to interact much with any of them knowing Edward was using her interactions to judge them.
After a glass of wine, which she drank in three sizable gulps, she loosened up. Enough that when Edward leaned into her, she didn’t pull away. “I apologize for upsetting you. I was simply answering your question with honesty. Forgive me for not lying to you.”
Erika pulled back, her pulse kicking and her temper flaring. She saw amusement in his eyes and a grin teasing his lips. “How dare you?” she hissed.
He leaned back in, turning his face to whisper directly in her ear. “I thought that might bring you back.” He licked the sh
