Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Nita sidled up to Vinson Elliott and leaned against him, her voice soft and pleading. "Boss, I didn't mean to."

She rose on tiptoe, drawing close to whisper in his ear. As she spoke, her breath -warm and damp-brushed his skin, sending a shiver down his spine. Instinctively, Vinson pushed her away. "Nita, do you even know who I am?!"

Just moments ago, she'd been flirting with Maurice, and now here she was, getting cozy with him? Vinson couldn't help but think she was acting cheap.

Caught off guard by his sudden shove, Nita nearly stumbled, but Maurice was quick, catching her before she could fall.

"You okay?"

Resting in Maurice's arms, Nita shook her head. "I'm fine. Really, I'm okay."

Maurice nodded, then shot Vinson a sharp look, his eyes darkening. "What kind of man lays a hand on a woman? Have you no shame?"

Vinson stared back, looking genuinely bewildered, a slight frown creasing his brow. "When did I ever lay a hand on her?"

Not worth arguing with a drunk, he decided.

Vinson addressed them both, "We'll talk when you two sober up.”

But Nita and Maurice answered in unison, "We're not drunk!"

Vinson just stared at them. "Right. Of course you're not. Not at all."noveldrama

Effie had drunk the least of the group and was by far the most clear-headed. She stepped in, "Alright, let's go home."

She turned to Vinson, apologetic. "Sorry, they've had a bit too much. They didn't mean any harm."

Vinson looked at Effie, then nodded. "Only because it's you."

Effie flashed him an embarrassed smile and hurriedly tugged her friends away.

As they left, Maurice managed to turn around and call out, "You better remember this if you ever mess with Nita again, you'll regret it!"

Nita chimed in, egging him on. "Yeah, well said! I'm with you!"

Effie struggled to keep the two under control, nearly losing her grip. "Guys, please, quit squirming. I'm exhausted.”

"No way!" Maurice protested.

“Alright, alright, I get it," Effie muttered, dragging them toward the exit.

Vinson watched their retreating figures, a complex expression flickering in his eyes.

Finally, they made it to the car. Effie bundled the two of them into the back seat and climbed into

passenger side, pulling out a

phone to order a driver.

With so many drivers waiting nearby, one accepted her order almost instantly.

"Hello, where to?" the driver asked.

"Just follow the address I entered,"

first, then head home. If the

Effie said. "I'll drop my friends off et

, I'll tip you extra."

"No problem."

Suddenly, Maurice leaned forward, staring at Effie. "I don't wanna go home. I'm coming to your place."

Nita, eyes snapping open, chimed in, "Me too. Wherever you two go, I go."

Effie pressed her hand to her forehead, already feeling a headache coming on.

Her place was big enough for all of them. The question was... would Lyman be okay with this?

Just then, Maurice blew a drunken breath in her face. "What? Too scared to take us home? Am I not good enough for your husband to see?"

"It's not that..." Effie muttered, unsure how to reason with someone this drunk.

Even if she tried to explain, he wouldn't hear it.

Suddenly, Effie felt a strange gaze settle on her.