#lustsfuls

Tabitha was getting used to her situation. She wasn't always comfortable with it, but it was astounding what you could get used to when you didn't have a choice. But that meant she was getting more comfortable around Alessandro. Not others. She'd come back into her bedroom and froze in the doorway, looking confused. She didn't just have free reign of the whole house. She had just been to the kitchen to get her drink. Her bottle clattered to the ground, startled, glancing back where she had come from, wondering where Alessandro was..and why somebody was in her room, touching one of her stuffed toys.

She swallowed, nervously, and went down the hallway, down towards Alessandro's quarters, fearfully. "Ale-Ale.." She tried to get out but it didn't quite work, whimpering instead.

she was sitting at a corner table, back straight, chin lifted as though daring someone to make something of it. her hair caught the dim light of the lanterns, and her eyes, bold as brass, were locked onto him. he wasn't used to that—not from a stranger, not from anyone. jesse smirked under the brim of his hat and tipped it in acknowledgment, surprised and a little intrigued when she beckoned him over with a flick of her wrist. now, what in the hell was she thinking? didn't she know who he was? maybe she did, and maybe that’s what made her smile like that, a little too sure of herself for a woman sitting alone in a place like this. he made his way over, slow and deliberate, eyes never leaving hers. he could feel the tension thickening in the air around him, the other patrons' unease growing by the second. nobody in here wanted trouble, but trouble had a way of finding jesse, especially in quiet, out-of-the-way towns like this. he slid into the chair across from her without asking for permission, resting his hands casually on the table, his fingers tapping lightly on the wood.

"well, now," he drawled, his voice low, rough from years of barking orders and dodging death. "you got a name, or should i just keep callin’ you trouble in my head?"

"You know, you really didn't have to come over. It's fine." Leighton sighed, although was it? Was it fine to be spending her birthday alone when her husband was who knows where? All of her friends had told her to leave him plenty of times but it wasn't that easy - especially not with the Miller family. "But I am grateful I don't have to spend the day entirely by myself, that would be pretty pathetic." The blonde tried to tease, though it didn't land quite right. The fact was, she wasn't sure if Raven being here was a good idea, especially with the wine and the fact that his brother, her husband, was unaccounted for, and the kiss...not that either of them talked about that ever. But it didn't stop her from thinking about it.

The last few weeks had been a complete whirlwind which somehow had resulted in Colton attending an engagement party; his engagement party to someone he barely knew. But from what he'd seen from Philomena, she wasn't a horrible option and if they both got something out of this marriage, it was worth it. What was he getting from it? Outside of his parents goodwill and continued access to his trust fund, he wasn't entirely sure. Settling down into a seat next to his now-fiancé, Colton took a deep breath and gave her a warm look. "How are you holding up?"

turns out both chandler and daniel had been hiring the same girl for events. a high-end escort who could blend seamlessly into their crowds, and always offer a good time. they figured it out when chandler showed up with hyejin on his arm to daniel's gala. and then the two figured instead of fight over her, they could come together for some fun.