Forbidden Lust by Jaden Sinclair

people to do as they said they would, like showing up or following through with the contributions they promised and if they wanted to come to the ball then they would have to pay. Now one paid a lot of money to have a nice four-course meal. Once she let Darius know she wanted to go, he shelled out the money. She thought about the menu she’d read on the glossy, embossed invitation they’d received:
    First course: Baked claws sautéed in lemon
    Second course: Lobster bisque
    Main course: Pepper-wine beef tenderloin
    Dessert: Strawberry creme brulee
     
    The thought alone of what awaited her upon arrival had her mouth watering, and the wait to get to the place had her squirming in her seat. Darius chuckled, took her hand and kissed the knuckles.
    The drive felt like it took hours instead of minutes. The whole upper class of the town of Cane attended the yearly charity ball at The Chateau. This was the only time the grand mansion was open for visitors, and it was lit up as if it was Christmas or the Fourth of July.
    They waited their turn as one by one each car and limo unloaded women with radiant smiles on their faces, dressed in elegant dresses. When their turn came, Makayla couldn’t contain her excitement. Looking at Darius, she decided her happiness gave Darius great pleasure, as he grinned in return.  She knew he didn’t really want to attend the event, and was only doing it for her. She would gladly repay him later on.
    Her arm linked with his as they walked up the stone steps into the well-lit mansion. She tried to take everything in as he nodded to a few people she guessed he knew. She couldn’t miss the shocked expressions on some women’s faces, saw them whispering to each other, too, but she refused to let it bother her. Tonight she planned on enjoying herself to the fullest and wasn’t going to let anyone crash her party.
    “Well, well, look who showed up.” Devon Noved smiled big, shaking hands with Darius. “We were wondering if she’d get your ass here.”
    “I’m finding that I’m a bit like you,” Darius said, putting his arm around Makayla’s waist, drawing her closer. “Can’t say no to her.”
    His words had her glowing from the inside out. “Yeah, it happens to us all,” Devon stated. “You look lovely, Makayla.”
    “Thank you. Where’s Kera?”
    “She’s with your sister somewhere, on the phone trying to get Shyla to come.” His smile faded. “She lost the baby.”
    “Shit,” Darius sighed.
    “Yeah, this one she was really hoping would be the one,” Devon went on. “Blaine’s worried she might get more depressed than she had from the last one. He’s very worried.”
    “She hasn’t had it easy, has she?” Darius asked.
    “Nope, but hey, let’s not all ruin the night either. I think Kera said something like, if Shyla doesn’t come here, then we’ll all go there.”
    “That sounds like a good idea,” Makayla said. “I’d love to meet Nicolai.”
    “We’ll see,” Darius said.
    She knew why he might be a bit hesitant to go. Things between him and Dane were still up in the air, but she planned on changing that tonight. They needed to get over this crap about her, and Dane needed to accept that she and Darius were married and accept it.
    “I’m going to go find my sister.” She leaned up kissing him on the cheek before pulling away.
    His eyes were on her, she could feel them and it had her grinning as she walked away. The crowed was thick. It somewhat amazed her how many people attended the charity ball, and how many in town had this kind of money.
    She didn’t see her sister, but she did spot Dane in the middle of the crowd talking to one young man she didn’t know. But then again, she didn’t know hardly anyone in this town. Slowly she made her way towards him and once he spotted her his face lit up.
    “Makayla!” he called out. With a big smile on her face, Makayla went into his open arms, hugging him back tightly. “I’ve been worried about