Unraveled (Undone) by Jennifer Dawson Page B

anything else.
    I blink. It’s… a dog collar.
    Or at least, that’s what it looks like.
    Jillian appears about to hyperventilate.
    Leo cups her chin and raises her face to his. “Who do you belong to?”
    “You.” There is complete adoration on her face.
    “That’s right.” He leans down and kisses her lips, and their mouths don’t seem to touch as much as cling to each other. “You’re mine.”
    “Yes.” She breathes the word like a whisper that floats over my skin.
    Have I ever belonged? Anywhere? To anyone? I blink back the sudden sting in my eyes.
    He kisses her again. “I love you, Jillian.”
    “I love you too.”
    He straightens and slips the thin, black leather around her neck. He clasps it at her nape, and then runs his fingers between her skin and the band. She shivers.
    When he shifts in his chair I see there’s a silver circle at the center. He hooks his index finger into it and tugs before whispering something I can’t hear in her ear.
    She closes her eyes as she listens to him.
    The words slip into my mind, unbidden. Uninvited. Unwelcome.
    I want that.
    I look away.
    And catch Chad watching me with a peculiar expression on his face. Watchful. Thoughtful.
    I don’t like it. I feel like he’s caught me, like I’ve revealed something to him. I drop my gaze to stare into my glass. I don’t want to witness any more of what I feel is a private moment. But the picture they make is too compelling and I can’t help but turn my gaze back to them.
    Leo strokes her cheek. “You go have fun.”
    “I will.”
    He kisses her again, deep and soulful, and when he lifts his head, he takes her hand and says, “Up you go.”
    Jillian stands and grins at Layla. “You ready?”
    “I am.” Layla turns to me. “Come on, let’s go.”
    I shake my head, not trusting my own voice. The last thing I can do is dance.
    Layla holds her hands in a prayer. “Pretty please.”
    I pick up my drink and shake it, shoving my emotions down where they belong. “Give me a minute, then I’ll join you.”
    Michael slips a hand on Layla’s thigh and squeezes. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t fall into any evil clutches.”
    As if. I’d think I was a ghost if people weren’t talking to me.
    Layla doesn’t take her gaze off me and I can tell by her expression she’s concerned. “Promise?”
    “Promise.” It’s a lie. But there are a thousand promises she broke to me when she was in the worst of her depression; I feel I’m owed this tiny one.
    Her brow furrows, but then she hooks her arm in Jillian’s and off they go.
    Michael turns to Leo, his expression pained. “At least you take good care of her.”
    “Always.” Leo raises his glass and they toast.
    “Just make sure I’m far away when you… do whatever it is you’re going to do.”
    Leo nods. “I’ll wait until you’re upstairs. But you’ll need to give me at least an hour.”
    “Done,” Michael says.
    An hour? What could possibly take an hour?
    Brandon slips into an empty chair and juts his chin in their direction. “Even marked they’ll have to beat the boys away with a stick.”
    Michael and Leo don’t look too worried.
    Suddenly, Brandon glances in my direction. “And what about you, girl?”
    My stomach drops. “What about me?”
    He smirks. “Are you interested in trying anything out?”
    I shake my head vehemently, trying in vein to will the flush spreading over my skin to cool.
    He laughs. “When they’re busy, how about I at least give you a tour?”
    I don’t want to contemplate being alone, but I don’t want to be an obligation either. I clear my throat. “Oh, well, thanks, but I know you’ve got a lot going on tonight, and I don’t want to be an imposition.”
    “Not at all. It will be my pleasure.”
    “I couldn’t.”
    He pins me with a hard-eyed stare. “I insist.”
    Any additional protests die on my lips. “All right.”
    “It’s settled then.” He gives Chad a look. “You can come too, but Mandy has her eye