Chapter 49
I glare at him. “Get out p>
He doesn’t.
Instead, he steps closer, crouching in front of me without asking. Too close Way too close.
“Give me the shoe,” he says
“No p>
He looks up at me, eyebrow lifting slightly. “Little spitfire p>
“I don’t need your help, and I told you to stop calling me by that name p>
“You physically cannot reach your foot.” He said ignoring the other thing I said.
“You sound like you’re enjoying this p>
He huffs a quiet laugh, then holds out his hand. “I’m not enjoying this either just hand it over p>
I hesitate. Every instinct in me screams not to let him do this. Not to give him this moment, this proximity.
But my ankle is already cramping.
I shove the heel into his hand. “One shoe. That’s it p>
“So Generous p>
He slides it onto my foot with infuriating ease, fingers steady, efficient. He doesn’t linger. Doesn’t make it weird just tightnes the strap and checks the clasp.
“There,” he says.
I hate how gentle he is about it.
“Don’t get used to it,” I mutter.
He glances up at me. “Trust me. I won’t p>
He reaches for the second heel.
I pull my foot back. “I said one p>
“You said you didn’t need help,” he replies. ” but clearly you do darling p>
I scowl but let him take it.
This time, when he fastens the strap, his thumb brushes my ankle accidentally. A spark jumps up my leg before I can stop it.
I yank my foot away. “Done p>
He straightens, eyes dark, expression unreadable again. “You look… weird p>
“Oh fuck you p>
Silence stretches between us.
Then he turns toward the door. “Be downstairs in five p>
He leaves before I can respond.
I stand on wobbly feet’s.
If tonight is another performance, then fine.
I’ll play my part, on my terms.
Zane’s POV
I hear her before I see her.
The sound of heels on marble carries differently when you’re waiting for it,, like she’s announcing herself without meaning to. I look up despite myself, already irritated that I care enough to do so.
Then she steps into view.
And whatever comment I had lined up dies in my throat.
The dress clings to her like it was designed with her body in mind and no one else’s.Just tight in all the right places, smooth over her hips, pulling my attention straight to the curve of her waist and then lower, to an ass that has absolutely no business looking that good on a woman who supposedly despises me.
I drag my gaze back to her face before it lingers too long on her ass. Her hair is down tonight, loose, brushing her shoulders. Her makeup is minimal, which somehow makes it worse. She looks… effortlessly beautiful.
She stops halfway down the stairs when she notices me staring.
“What,” she says flatly.
I realize too late that my expression must have given me away.
When I don’t answer, she continues down the stairs.
I watch her walk past me, my attention pulled helplessly to the sway of her hips. The dress hugs her ass like a sin I’m not supposed to touch, and my body reacts before my brain can shut it down. Annoying, Inconvenien and Very hard to ignore.
I clear my throat and turn toward the door. “Car’s waiting p>
The drive to the venue is quiet. She stares out the window, legs crossed, posture stiff. I sit beside her, aware of every inch of space between us and equally aware of how little it would take to close it, grab her and have her sit that ass on my face.
We arrive to lights, noise, movement. This is my world Power disguised as pleasantries.
I offer her my arm. She hesitates, then takes it. Her fingers curl into my sleeve, light but deliberate.
We move together through the entrance, shoulders squared, expressions composed. A united front. Exactly what everyone expects to see.
We shake Hands with dozens of people, Compliments are exchanged. Congratulations layered with curiosity, people study her openly, assessing. I feel it immediately, the way their gazes linger.
She handles it well. Smiles when required. Laughs softly at the right moments, plays the role like she was born to it perfectly.
Then we reach her brothers.
Lucas is the first to step forward, eyes sweeping over her head to toe before flicking sharply to me. Noah and Caleb flank him, quieter but no less alert.
“You okay?,” Lucas asks her, pointedly ignoring me.
“I’m fine,” she says. “He didn’t murder me yet p>
Caleb snorts while Noah’s mouth twitches.
I meet Lucas’s stare evenly. “She’s untouched. Relax p>
His jaw tightens, but he nods, satisfied enough for now. Elaine squeezes my arm once, subtle, like she’s reminding them she’s still standing on her own feet.
Once we move on, I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
I’ve already moved on to greet the next guest when I notice she’s gone from my arm.
I scan the room quickly and spot her near the buffet, plate already stacked high, chatting animatedly with David knight.
David’s hand rests lightly on her lower back close to her ass, MY ass.
Something ugly coils in my chest.
Oh no you don’t.
I don’t care that this marriage is an arrangement. I don’t care that I’ve made it clear I’m not interested in affection. I am a possessive bastard by nature, and David knight is a problem wrapped in charm and money. He’s smiling at her like he always smiles at women he intends to bed, and I do not like it.
At all.
I watch her laugh at something he says, head tilting slightly, eyes bright. She looks relaxed and comfortable.
Fire ants crawl under my skin, that’s the only way to describe the feeling.
She couldn’t get away from me fast enough, but with him she’s all warmth and ease. I know I’m being a dick. I’ve been cold and dismissive to her. It makes sense she’d gravitate toward someone friendlier.
Unfortunately for her, I can’t allow it.