“In all honesty, though, I really don’t think it will matter too much. As you saw tonight, Clifton Phillips had no issue with my reputation as he took me for a spin around the dance floor. I think he could be husband material. He’s a little arrogant, but I suppose everyone has their faults.”

“Are we back to this again?” Judge sighs, but it quickly turns to frustration when I look up at him deadpan.

“I’m not joking,” I tell him. “I know the whole purpose of me coming here to stay with you was to reform me, but let’s not kid ourselves. I am who I am. They may have broken the mold with me when it came to creating a perfect Society wife, but it doesn’t negate the fact I still need to wed. I have a legacy to carry on. A duty to the De La Rosa name.”

Irritation pinches his features, and I almost wish I could believe it means something. But I’m not falling into that honey pot again.

“Let’s not make this complicated.” I toss his shirt aside and reach for the zipper of his trousers. “It’s time for me to grow the fuck up, right? And don’t get me wrong, I enjoy this. I really, really enjoy this. But at some point, preferably soon, I’ll find someone else to take over the responsibility of my care and free you from the burden you’ve shouldered for far too long already.”

He reaches for my wrist, squeezing it in his palm before I can yank down his briefs. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

“What do you mean?” I stare at him, blank.

“This.” He gestures back at me. “It’s like you’ve been reprogrammed. You’re acting as dead inside as your friends tonight.”

“It’s the bane of being a Society princess.” I lift my shoulder daintily, but he doesn’t seem amused.

We stare at each other in tense silence, unspoken truths blooming in the space between us. I could pretend to guess what his might be, but I won’t. If he wanted to say them, he would.

“I don’t like you like this,” he says finally, his tone too acidic to be mistaken for anything else.

“I’m sorry. Was that too much honesty for you?”

When he doesn’t reply, I slide my free hand down between my thighs, toying with myself while he watches.

“I didn’t intend for this to turn into a therapy session. In fact, that’s the last thing I want. So are you going to participate, or are you going to watch? Either way, I’m getting off tonight.”