Chapter 22 #3
Trey lifts a hand to hover near my other shoulder, not quite touching but close enough that I feel the warmth of his presence. “We can just enjoy each other’s company,” he says quietly, “see how the night unfolds.”
Lincoln’s arm slides fully around my waist, pulling me snug against his side. His voice is tight but controlled. “We don’t share easily,” he warns, eyes flicking pointedly to Trey’s hand.
A small thrill runs through me at Lincoln’s possessiveness, despite the precarious scenario. Vera notices too, a sly grin curving her lips. “Possessive, huh?” she teases. “We like that.”
I swallow, suddenly very aware that we’re straddling a razor edge. We have to maintain the illusion that we’re comfortable in this world—keep Vera and Trey happy enough to remain allies. But if I show too much reluctance, we’ll blow our cover. If Lincoln shows too much aggression, same deal.
So, I force myself to relax into his hold, letting out a controlled breath. “We’re still learning boundaries,” I say, offering a small, apologetic laugh. “Tonight’s… new territory.”
Vera’s gaze softens. “I get it,” she says, glancing at Trey. “We’ll take it easy. Just a little closeness, yeah?” She leans nearer, the scent of her perfume wrapping around me as she lifts a hand and brushes her fingertips over my collarbone.
Lincoln tenses, but to his credit, he doesn’t pull me away. I tilt my head, allowing the touch while scanning Trey’s expression. He’s watching with rapt focus, mouth curved in a slow smile. The air between us hums with tension, the promise of something both electrifying and dangerous.
I feel Trey’s hand settle lightly on my shoulder, and Vera shifts close enough for a gentle brush of her lips at the base of my neck—more a whisper than a kiss.
My pulse thrums so loudly I can’t hear the music anymore.
If I glance up, I know I’ll meet Lincoln’s gaze, see that smolder of jealousy, and maybe desire.
There’s a heady power in realizing I have him at my side, while two near-strangers try to entice us into something more.
For a moment, I can’t help but wonder if Morris is watching. If he is, does he see a devoted couple open to new experiences, or does he sense the underlying tension? The question flickers through my mind like a warning.
Still, my body doesn’t seem to care about logic. The mixture of Vera’s soft touches and Lincoln’s hard presence pressed against my side has me breathing in shallow gulps.
“Isabel…” Lincoln growls softly, low in my ear, and a tremor ignites in my stomach. I don’t need words to guess he’s asking if I’m okay—if I want him to step in or if we keep going.
I let my hand slide up his chest, fisting gently in the material of his suit. My eyes find his, and the unspoken conversation is quick: We’re in this together. I’m all right, but be ready.
He nods once, tension rippling through the line of his jaw.
Then, surprising me, he leans in and captures my mouth in a possessive kiss, forcing a gasp from my lips.
It’s a clear message to Vera and Trey—Lincoln’s reminding them (and maybe me) who I belong to, illusions aside.
I melt into him for a moment, letting the taste of champagne and raw hunger swirl between us.
When we finally break apart, my heart hammers so loud I’m sure everyone can hear it. Vera’s eyes glitter with intrigue, Trey’s brows lift in mild amusement.
“Well,” Vera breathes, “you two definitely know how to keep things interesting.”
My cheeks burn, and I bury my face in Lincoln’s shoulder, if only to hide the flush.
This might be the most bizarre moment of my life—teetering between performance and genuine spark, with two other people trying to inch closer.
But we hold our ground, and I feel Lincoln’s body coil like a spring beneath his suit, ready to snap if Trey or Vera push too far.
In the background, the music shifts to a sultrier beat.
A couple across the room shifts on their couch, leaning back with parted lips and wandering hands.
The entire atmosphere seems to tip deeper into hedonism, and I realize with a jolt that if we stay here too long, we may be expected to do more than just a few stray touches.
I swallow hard. We need a graceful exit—something that won’t offend Trey and Vera but gives us breathing room. “Maybe,” I say, voice unsteady, “we could dance again first?”
Trey hesitates, then exhales a playful laugh. “Of course. We can join you, or you two can have some private time on the floor.”
Lincoln lifts a hand, brushing Vera’s fingertips away from my collarbone with careful politeness. “We’ll meet you out there,” he says, leaving no room for argument. “In a minute.”
Vera and Trey trade looks, then nod. “We’ll be around,” Vera purrs, trailing a final caress across my shoulder before rising. Trey offers a charming smirk as he stands, and together, they move back into the crowd, disappearing among other couples.
The moment they’re gone, I let out a long breath, half relief, half… something else. My entire body hums with the residual charge of the encounter. Lincoln’s eyes are locked on mine, tension carving lines around his mouth.
I force a shaky grin. “That was… yeah, insane.”
He exhales, the hard set of his shoulders easing fractionally. “Yeah,” he rasps. “You okay?”
I nod, sliding my palm over his chest for reassurance—his or mine, I’m not sure. “I’m fine. I just… we need to keep our cover, but also not lose ourselves completely.”
His hand closes over mine, warm and solid. “We won’t,” he promises. “I won’t let it go too far. But we might not have a choice if we want to keep them on our side.”
I swallow. “I know.” It’s a sobering reality. The entire reason we’re putting on this act is to get closer to Morris, and if indulging in these intimate games ensures Trey and Vera’s cooperation, it might be a necessary risk.
Lincoln glances around, then rubs his jaw. “Let’s find a way to slip out soon, see if we can catch a whisper of where Rolfe is, or Delgado.” His eyes darken with protective concern. “But right now, I need a minute with you, away from prying eyes.”
A tendril of warmth snakes through me at the rough edge in his voice. For a moment, I almost forget we’re in public. “Same,” I admit, voice breathy.
He stands, tugging me gently to my feet.
The room spins with energy and pounding bass, but the weight of his hand at my waist steadies me.
Together, we step back into the flow of the party, my heart slamming against my ribs, my mind spinning with the dual challenge of playing a role and confronting the real spark between us.
I cast one last glance back at the plush alcove where Vera and Trey sat, where desire and danger entwined in a dizzying dance.
This is the life we’ve stepped into, I remind myself.
If we’re going to expose Morris’s secrets, we have to be ready for whatever it throws at us—even if it means flirting with the edge of our own boundaries.
And as Lincoln’s grip tightens on me, I vow not to let that edge swallow me whole.