Chapter 35
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Novalee
The grand gala room of Harrington Heights is everything I expected—a sea of elegance with decadent chandeliers, glittering dresses, and crisp suits. Everyone’s faces are hidden by masks, which lends an extra layer of mystery to the evening. A string quartet performs in a discreet corner, their music blending with the quiet hum of conversation and the occasional clink of champagne flutes. I catch a whiff of something sweet and tempting from the trays of finger food the servers are carrying, but I ignore it, glancing around the room instead.
I may look calm, but nerves are simmering beneath my skin, making me more agitated than I’d like, and a little nauseous.
I’m standing with Koen, Levi, Sylus, and Ezra, all of them polished and masked, looking every bit as impressive as the other high-society types around us. Koen and Levi wear their confidence like their suits—comfortable and effortless. Levi’s suit, glittering under the lights, is striking, making me miss my usual glitter and shine.
I run a hand down the skirt of my dress, feeling the soft fabric. Tonight, I have to settle for black and feathers, and I find myself again anchoring myself to the bracelet Koen gave me as I scan the crowd, searching for Nicholas.
Koen notices, of course. “Nervous?”
I glance up at him, hesitating for a moment before nodding. “Yeah.”
Levi’s gaze snaps to me, his usual playful expression shifting to something more serious, almost protective. Before Koen can say anything else, Levi leans closer, his breath warm against my ear. “You know, there’s a saying I tell myself before every show,” he whispers. “A bird doesn’t land on a branch because it trusts the branch won’t break.” His fingers reach out, brushing against one of the feathers on my dress, twirling it lightly between his fingers. He studies it for a moment, then lets it fall back into place as his eyes meet mine, almost eerie through the mask. “It lands because it trusts its own ability to fly away if it needs to.”
He straightens, and his smile returns, a touch of playfulness slipping back in as he taps my nose. “Trust that if this all comes crashing down, you’ll be able to fly, Little Bird.” I swallow against the unexpected emotion clogging my throat, even as his words settle a good bit of my nerves. Then, almost as an afterthought, he adds, “You look stunning tonight if that helps.”
I let out a small laugh, my gaze drifting over his glittery suit. “You look incredible too.”
Just as I’m about to turn back to Koen and ask if he’s seen Nicholas anywhere, I feel a presence behind me, a subtle shift in the air, a hint of warmth at my back. Then a familiar voice murmurs, “Gentlemen.”
I turn to find Nicholas standing close, towering over me. My eyes trail up him slowly, taking in the black suit that fits him perfectly. When I make it to his face, his forest-green eyes seem even more striking than usual, perfectly framed by his simple, elegant mask. He looks dangerously handsome in a way that steals my breath.
“Rosie,” he greets softly. I can feel the twins’ eyes burning into the side of my head, but I keep my attention on Nicholas. A smile blooms on my lips when he stretches his hand out to me. “May I have this dance?”
“I’d love that.” I place my hand in his, and we turn toward the dance floor. As we move farther away from the others, I glance up at him. “That took balls.”
Nicholas chuckles, a deep, rumbling sound that makes my stomach flutter. “You have no idea who and what I would face for you.”
His words sink into me, wrapping around my heart, and a shiver runs through me. Not from fear but something else. Something that scares me more than danger ever could.
I push the feeling away and try to lighten the mood. “My knight in shining Armani, huh?”
Nicholas’s lips curve into an amused smile. “If you say so.”
We’re almost to the dance floor when Veronica steps into our path. She smiles, all polished grace and poise, her mask adding an air of elegance to her otherwise sharp features. “Enjoying the evening, son?” she asks while her eyes scan us both with interest. “Have you already spoken with the Blythe family?”
“I will.” Nicholas’s grip on my hand tightens slightly, but he offers her a polite smile. “Mother, may I introduce you to Rosie Lane.”
Veronica’s gaze shifts to me, her expression caught between intrigue and surprise. “Lane?” she echoes, a trace of something else flickering in her eyes.
“It’s Evans, actually,” I clarify. I’m not sure if it’s smart to give her my real last name, but pretending to be another Lane in name, too, could easily unravel if she looked into it. This feels like the safest lie. “But the Lane brothers are my cousins.”
Veronica’s eyes narrow, her smile faltering for a moment before she recovers, offering me a gracious nod. “I haven’t heard of you,” she notes, her tone carefully polite, though I catch the underlying skepticism.
I hold her gaze, offering her a polite smile. “Well, it’s all new for me too.”
Veronica’s lips twitch upward, and she gives me a more genuine smile this time, though there’s still something calculated in her eyes. “You’re beautiful,” she comments almost approvingly as if she’s inspecting a piece of fine jewelry.
“Thank you. I can only return the compliment, Ms. Harrington.”
And she truly is beautiful. Her eyes are the same forest green color as Nicholas’s and framed by thick lashes and her dark brown hair, which falls in waves.
“Please, call me Veronica.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Veronica.” Her first name feels strange on my tongue, almost too familiar. Veronica’s eyes sweep over me again, and I resist the urge to fidget.
Finally, she turns to Nicholas, her gaze softening a touch. “Make sure this beautiful young lady enjoys our gala, Nicholas.”
Nicholas inclines his head, his hand tightening around mine once more. “I’ll do my best, Mother.”
Veronica gives him a brief nod, turning away, her figure disappearing into the crowd with the kind of grace that only comes from a lifetime of this charade.
I exhale, the tension in my chest easing as she moves away.
“You handled her perfectly,” he murmurs, low and full of admiration.
“I would face a lot for you, too, you know,” I answer quietly and without thought, glancing up at him. His eyes meet mine, and his answering smile is small but full of warmth.
Nicholas’s hand slips to the small of my back as we step onto the dance floor, his fingers warm through the fabric of my dress. As he takes my hand and holds it up beside us, his touch is gentle, guiding me with a confidence that soothes my nerves enough to allow me to fall right into place with him. Every step flows as if I’ve known this rhythm my entire life, as if he and I were designed to fit together in this exact way. The violins’ notes twirl around us, filling the space between each breath.
“I’ve danced with countless women at these things.” His voice is a velvet murmur just above my ear, so rich that goose bumps erupt on my neck. “But it’s never felt this… effortless.”
I glance up at him, smiling. “Countless women, huh?” My tone is light, teasing, though part of me can’t deny the curiosity swirling inside or the urge to push him and see if his feelings match mine.
He cringes. “That’s not what I meant.” His fingers shift on my back as he searches for words. “It’s… well, my mother insists I dance with certain people. Usually, I just go through the motions.”
I smile a genuine one that he returns with a look that’s almost shy. “I enjoy dancing,” I admit, letting my gaze wander over the grandeur of the ballroom. “And this… it’s the most beautiful setting I’ve ever danced in. And you’re definitely the best partner I’ve ever had.” I hold back the fact that he’s the only person I’ve ever danced with like this.
His gaze softens, and he pulls me a touch closer as if he doesn’t want to let go. “Sounds like you’re the perfect plus-one for every gala coming. ”
“Oh?” I meet his gaze with a smile. “You want to repeat this?”
“For as long as you’ll let me.”
The way he says it sends a flutter through my chest I try my best to ignore. “Your mother wouldn’t be happy about you spending all your time with me.”
He lets out a sigh, a shadow passing over his face. “My mother, unfortunately, has a lot of say in my life,” he admits, his fingers pressing against the small of my back as he leads me into a slow turn. “But it’s been a long while since she managed to tell me who to want.”
His fingers slip up to my cheek, grazing the edge of my jaw. The warmth of his hand, the closeness, leaves my pulse racing.
Fuck. I can’t feel this.
Not for him.
Not for any of them.
“What do you mean?” I ask, searching his eyes.
“This isn’t the place to tell the story.” He hesitates, a vulnerability there I haven’t seen before. “But… let’s just say she once sent someone to lure me in, and I fell for it.”
His words land like a sucker punch. I’m standing here, wrapped in his arms, letting myself sink into the warmth and ease of his touch, and all the while… I’m exactly what he’s talking about.
I swallow thickly as the guilt lashes at me. “That sounds horrible.”
I am horrible.
I shouldn’t care. That was the plan, wasn’t it? Get close to Nicholas. Win his trust. To play my part. I’d promised myself that, but my resolve slips further with every interaction with him.
Because I do c are about him.
“I learned my lesson.” He shrugs, his gaze dropping to my lips, then meeting my eyes again with a grin. “She hasn’t sent you , has she?”
His expression is open, vulnerable, and it’s as though I’ve crossed a line I never meant to. I see him for who he is—a person trapped in a life he never chose, aching for something real.
And I know the feeling all too well.
“I don’t think she’d pick me for something like that.” I force myself to laugh, trying to cover my unease and the response that came a bit too late to be natural. “I’m a nobody with nothing to my name.”
I have to swallow the urge to tell him more, to pull back the mask, if only a little, but I can’t. I’m not here for honesty, confessions, or anything close to real. I’m here to do a job, one that will ultimately rip away whatever trust he’s offering me now.
Nicholas’s eyes darken, his hand drifting from my cheek to the nape of my neck as he leans close. “You have no idea how breathtaking you are. And you not being part of this circus makes you even more intriguing.”
I let myself sink into the moment, savoring the warmth of his hand and the quiet strength in the way he holds me, leading us smoothly across the dance floor. Unfortunately, reality quickly creeps back in, and I catch myself glancing around, scanning the crowd, searching for familiar faces, a hint of glitter from Levi’s suit, Koen’s sharp gaze, or Sylus’s knowing grin.
Nicholas’s hand shifts on my waist, pulling me closer. “Hey,” he whispers, bringing my gaze back to his. “Stay with me.” His thumb brushes over the back of my hand. “They’re not here. It’s only us.”
I nod, taking a breath and letting it settle between us. His touch, his calm, it’s a balm cutting through the noise in my head .
After a few moments, he asks. “What are you doing Tuesday night?”
His question catches me off guard, a slight jolt that sends a small thrill through me. “Nothing… why?”
“I thought… maybe I could pick you up. We could drive around a bit.”
Drive around?
Fuck.
“Grab something to eat in the car, somewhere where the view’s pretty, casual…” He pauses, a bit of uncertainty crossing his face when I don’t respond right away. “I mean, I could take you out to a fancy restaurant if you prefer. I just…” His fingers tighten around mine, and he lets out a small sigh, looking down before meeting my eyes again. “It’s complicated for me to go out without… drawing attention. And honestly, I’d rather be somewhere where it’s only us.”
This is what they want from me. This is the plan.
So, why do I feel sick?
“There is nothing I would rather do, Nico.”
Sylus
Jealousy usually bores the hell out of me…
… until I see her giving Harrington that look.
The look that’s supposed to be mine.
The guy is a walking cliche of privilege and money, plus that whole I’m tortured and mysterious vibe. She falls for that ?
Sparkle looks absolutely breathtaking, dressed in black and feathers, elegance wrapping around her like a second skin. Her moves are so natural and confident that it gets under my skin. I’d normally feel proud, maybe even a little smug, knowing this beautiful woman moaned my name a few hours ago.
Watching her give Harrington that soft look, though, the one I’ve caught her flashing at me and even Koen lately? It stirs something in me I’d rather not feel. I don’t usually get this possessive.
Except, I know that gaze, and I know my girl . It’s the one that tells me she’s feeling something real. That’s the exact look that made me fall even harder for her the last few days because it shows me that she wants me back .
When she leans into me, lets me be her rock, her person, it’s the greatest feeling in the world. And with Koen, I’ve seen the same flickers, the way her smiles become softer, and her laughs come easier. I get that. I want that for her. For all of us.
But having her look that way at Harrington ?
Hell no.
Not fucking cool.
I don’t even know the guy. Sure, I’ve heard the stories, but I wasn’t around when the worst of it went down. I only know the version Ezra, Koen, and Levi told me, and their opinions couldn’t be clearer. They see him as a traitor, an asshole, the enemy .
So that’s what he is.
I lean back against a pillar and cross my arms over my chest, watching as they move together, tension and intrigue coiling between them as if it has a life of its own. She’s good, but I’m not blind. She’s not playing a role. She’s just her. And it doesn’t surprise me that the best way to snare him was to be herself. She’s that magnetic.
She’s letting him in just enough to risk getting tangled up for real.
My phone vibrates in my pocket as I watch Sparkle and Harrington twirling closer, her laugh slipping into the air like she’s enjoying herself. I check the message from Alaric, barely taking my eyes off her.
How’s it going?
I press the video call icon without thinking twice, and after a few rings, Alaric’s face fills the screen, shadows casting over him from the near darkness of his room. The contrast between his setup and this goddamn masked party couldn’t be sharper. As the call connects, I change to the back camera, pointing it toward the dance floor so he can get a good look at the show.
“It’s going a little too well for my taste,” I mutter, but they’re too far away for the camera to be able to catch the soft smile she sends Harrington’s way.
“That’s her? Fuck, she’s gorgeous.”
“Tell me about it.” I let out a sigh, shaking my head. “These damn masks… can’t see her face properly.” I flick the camera back to face me.
“Your mask doesn’t look any better, idiot.” His smirk is only faintly visible in the dim light. “Turn the camera back to the good view. I haven’t even seen her properly.”
“You hot for my girl, too, now, bro?”
This shit is getting annoying.
“Koen told me she said she wasn’t your girl at all.” I catch the hint of a challenge in his eyes. “He thinks that it’s all wishful thinking on your part.”
“Yeah, Koen also thinks mustard on pasta is a good idea. I don’t exactly trust his judgment on anything .”
“I think it’s called a honey mustard vinai—” Alaric starts, but I cut him off.
“Let’s just agree it’s culinary blasphemy and move on.” I glance back at the woman who is definitely my girl, catching her as she laughs up at Harrington, seeming quite comfortable in his embrace. “Goddammit.”
“What is it?” Alaric asks in concern, and I focus back on the screen.
He’s concerned for her.
She’s got a way of wrapping all of us around her little finger, and it hits me that Alaric’s pining doesn’t stir up the same irritation as Harrington’s blatant interest does. Not even close.
“Don’t worry.” I wink at him, making him huff a laugh. “She’s fine. I’ll make sure of it.” But when I look back to where they were dancing a second ago, she’s gone.
Scanning the room, I spot Harrington standing alone beside the dance floor, looking a bit lost. My gaze skips over him and continues scanning the crowd, and my heart jumps as I catch sight of Sparkle weaving through people, heading toward the far side of the room, probably off to the restrooms.
“I’ve got to go,” I tell Alaric, already moving in her direction, then cut the call before he can ask questions.
I weave through groups of masked people chatting and sipping champagne. The music fades into the background as I slip into the corridor, catching sight of her as she disappears into the women’s restroom. I hesitate for only a second, then I push the door open and step inside after her.
She’s at the mirror, hands braced on the counter, her gaze fixed on her reflection. She doesn’t even look my way, probably assuming it’s just another woman walking in. I make a quick sweep, noting that all the stalls are empty, then stride back over to the door and lock it with a click.
That’s when the eyes behind her mask snap up in the mirror. Her lips part, her breath hitching. “Sylus…” she gasps, straightening, “… what are you doing here?”
I close the distance between us, then grip her waist and lift her onto the counter. “Reminding you who your person is,” I murmur, maybe a little too roughly. “And who made you scream last night.”
Her mouth opens, ready to argue, but I don’t give her the chance. I’m already pressing her back into the sink and claiming her mouth, having to do my best to hold back a cry of victory when she instantly melts under me.
I might as well tattoo it on her wrist— Property of Sylus.
Maybe I’ll let Koen and Alaric add their names underneath it, only much smaller.
I trail my lips along her jaw, down to her neck, where I nip and suck at her skin until her body starts to tremble.
“Sylus,” she murmurs, breath hot against my ear, a moan slipping out as I graze her collarbone with my teeth. “What… what is this about?”
“This?” I ask as I lick a path to her ear before whispering, “Just a little public service announcement.”
We can’t have her forgetting what side she’s on.
I slide my hand along the slit of her dress and up her thigh until I find my way between them, my fingers toying with the lace of her panties.
“Does he make you hot, Sparkle?” I ask, my voice laced with sarcasm as I run the pad of my thumb over her center.
I know she’s registered the meaning of my question the moment she jerks back, fire sparking in her eyes as her head snaps up. Good.
“This is about Nicholas?”
“I dunno, is it?” I raise an eyebrow. “Or are you finding excuses to bring him up? Are we pining over rich boys now?”
“Aren’t you a rich boy too?” she shoots back.
Meh. Semantics.
“Does he make you hot?” I repeat, watching her closely as I continue to run my fingers over her body.
“What if he does?” she bites back, all defiance.
I pull her panties aside, smirking when I feel how wet she is. “Did dancing with him make you wet?” My finger glides up and down her slit, and I savor the feeling, the way her body reacts to my touch. “Or is this all for me?”
She doesn’t back down. “What if he does? I told you I’m not going to be exclusive with you.”
“I. Don’t. Care. Sparkle,” I growl out, thrusting my finger in and out of her as I enunciate each word, making her gasp. “If you want to fuck Koen, if you want to fuck Alaric, I’d be right there, telling them how to make you scream.” My hand stills as I clench my jaw. “But Harrington? He’s the goddamn enemy .”
She shifts away from me slightly, searching my face. “What if he isn’t?”
“And what if he helped murder one of my favorite people?” I push harder against her then, rubbing her clit, and her hands fly up to my shoulders, fingers digging in. “Enough with your what-ifs, ” I snarl out, my touch relentless. “I’m done hearing them.” Her body tenses as she teeters on the edge, then trembles in earnest as her breaths turn to ragged gasps.
Then, when she’s about to break, I stop.
She lets out a frustrated sound, her eyes narrowing as they meet mine. “Are you… punishing me?”
I let a slow, wicked grin cross my face as I reach into my pocket for the small toy I brought tonight. Her eyes widen when I reach past her and turn on the tap, running the toy under hot water, keeping my gaze locked on hers, daring her to guess my next move.
“What… what are you doing?”
I turn off the stream as I widen her thighs with my free hand. Bringing the toy between them, I brush the lace of her panties aside once more and slip the toy inside, watching her eyes carefully for her reaction.
Except I don’t have to. It’s all in her body, in the way she tenses for the briefest moment before melting into my touch like she did when I barged in here and kissed her.
“This isn’t a punishment,” I murmur, my lips brushing against hers as I press the button on the remote, smiling as I feel the subtle vibration against my hand where I’m still palming her pussy. My pussy. “It’s a reminder.”
“A reminder of wh-what?” She stumbles on her words as she shudders and drinks it in before I push again to increase the intensity.
“Of the perks of owning me.” I love to see her body squirm under my control, but when she reaches the edge again, I switch off the toy.
Her eyes blaze as she glares up at me, breath coming in shallow gasps. “Why does it feel like a punishment then?”
“That’s a new look on you,” I whisper. “Annoyed… and a little desperate. I think I’ll add that to my list of favorite expressions. Now come on,” I instruct as I attempt to straighten her skirt. “Get up and back to the party.”
“Sylus… this is serious business. We can’t play around like this here.”
“Why not?” I challenge, tilting her chin up with my finger when she doesn’t meet my gaze. “You’ve got him where we need him, right?”
She hesitates, then nods almost reluctantly. “Yeah. He asked me on a date for Tuesday.”
“You’re so damn good, baby.” I grin, brushing a thumb over her cheek. “You can think of this as your reward.”
There’s still hesitation behind her eyes as she sighs. “Sylus.”
“What?” I brush a strand of hair from her mask, giving her a challenging look. “You scared? ”
That does it. She shakes her head, adjusts her panties, and slips off the counter. But before she can take a step, I grab her wrist and tug her to me, capturing her mouth in a fierce, possessive kiss. Her hands find my hair, gripping tight, and I’m not stopping until she remembers exactly who she craves.
When I finally break the kiss, I hold up my pinky finger between us, eyes locked with hers. “Promise me,” I murmur, the words a low, rough command wrapped in a question. “That I’m the only one who gets you this worked up.”
She looks at me, breathless, hooking her pinky around mine. “I promise,” she whispers, and I hold her gaze as I brush a kiss across our locked fingers.
“That’s my girl,” I murmur against her skin before letting her go, giving her a smack on the ass. “Now go back to him and try not to think about me.”
I’m grinning like crazy as she walks away with that slightly irritated twist to her lips. Yeah, let’s see if she keeps looking at him that way while she’s dripping for me.
I wait several moments, then head back to the guys, weaving through the party, smug in the knowledge that I literally have the remote to her pussy in my hand. It’s hard to wipe the smirk off my face as I catch sight of Levi and Ezra talking and laughing together. Koen’s watching me intently as I approach, his expression unreadable.
“Where were you?” Koen asks suspiciously as soon as I’m close enough to hear him.
“Bathroom.” I shrug nonchalantly.
“Really?” Koen raises an eyebrow, then gestures toward my face as he adds, “And you look like this because of it?”
I flash him a grin. “What can I say? Bathrooms are underrated.”
Koen lets out a frustrated huff, then admits, “I want to go home. This shit sucks.”
My gaze drifts across the room, and I catch sight of Sparkle as she returns to Harrington’s side. They’re back on the dance floor, picking up where they left off, and while she’s handling herself perfectly, I find that it still gnaws at me, seeing her so close to him.
“Same.”
Koen follows my gaze, watching her with thinly veiled annoyance. “Looks like she’s doing good.”
“Yeah,” I agree, though I feel the prick of jealousy again as she smiles up at him. My fingers find the remote in my pocket, and I turn up the intensity a notch, watching with satisfaction as her shoulders stiffen a split-second before she shudders. A moment later, she casts a glance around until her gaze lands on me, shooting me a death glare.
Which prompts Harrington to pull her closer to him, his hand a little too low on her back for my liking. I press the remote again, watching as she fights against a tremor, trying to keep her composure, though her eyes flash in my direction again.
Oops.
“Is she okay?” Koen frowns in concern. “She looks rattled.”
“Oh, she’s more than okay,” I assure him, unable to contain my amusement.
Koen’s gaze drops to my hand in my pocket, and his brow lifts. “What are you doing? We’re in public.”
“Shut up.” I snicker, pulling the remote out, and without missing a beat, I pass it over to him. “Give it a go, brother. Let it sparkle .”
Koen twists the dial experimentally, and I watch as Sparkle shifts unnaturally on the dance floor, her previously graceful movements turning a little more erratic as she struggles to hold it together .
“Nothing’s happening.” Koen glances around, his expression puzzled. “What is this?”
“Something’s happening, all right,” I reply, biting back a grin as Sparkle almost trips over her own feet.
“Are you messing with the lights or something?” Koen looks around, his confusion growing as he continues guessing. “Did you steal the remote for the sound system?”
He turns up the knob again, assessing the large room. This time, Sparkle actually jumps, and I see the moment she leans toward a bewildered Nicholas, probably to deliver an excuse, before she practically stumbles off the dance floor, striding directly toward me with fire in her eyes.
She stops right in front of me with a glare, her voice a breathless whisper as she holds out her hand to me. “Give it to me. It’s too much. I can’t—”
“Nope.” I hold up my hands, all innocent, as I cut her off. “Wasn’t me.”
Her eyes snap to Koen, who’s still clutching the remote, frowning down at it. “Koen,” she says sharply, taking a step closer to him the exact moment he absentmindedly twists the dial a notch higher. She gasps, and her knees almost give out, but she manages to grab onto his arm, her fingers digging into the fabric of his suit. Her entire body shudders against him as she presses her face into his shoulder, then she lets out a trembling, breathy moan. “Fu-uck, Koen…”
Koen’s face goes bright red as he stands there, wide-eyed, gaping at Sparkle’s display. His arm hovers awkwardly around her, his fingers twitching as if he has no idea what to do.
I relish every second of it.
Fuck, she came hard.
I shift, trying to keep it together, my cock twitching with each soft gasp she lets out. The urge to reach down and give myself a hard squeeze is almost overpowering—if only we weren’t in the middle of this damn ballroom.
When my eyes flick down, I catch the situation in Koen’s fitted suit pants. Well, well, looks like I’m not the only one she’s got squirming.
I swallow my laugh, but it’s pretty difficult to do as I watch him try to adjust himself without losing his grip on her. Poor guy looks like he’s about to come in his pants.
Finally, she pulls herself together enough to snatch the remote from Koen’s hand, immediately shutting it off. When she pushes off him, her gaze flicks between the two of us, and it’s the burning fury in her eyes that does it.
I let out a deep, full-bodied laugh that has a few people nearby glancing our way. Koen, looking mortified, stammers, “I… I didn’t know… I’m…”
“Shut up.” She hisses, her eyes narrowed to slits. “Thanks to you two, I can’t go back over there.” She darts a quick glance in Nicholas’s direction. “I had to tell him I wasn’t feeling well so I didn’t end up… combusting in his arms.”
“Glad to hear you’d rather do that in Koen’s,” I muse, not bothering to hold back a grin as her glare sharpens even more.
“Fuck you, Sylus,” she snaps, and that’s when Levi, catching the tone, steps over.
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” she answers with a sigh. “Let’s just go. I’ve done what we came here to do.”
“So,” Koen starts, but then has to stop and clear his throat, obviously still a little dazed. “You’re going to see him again?”
She nods, then continues flatly, “We’re going on a date Tuesday.”
“Let’s get out of here, then.” I slip an arm around her shoulders, giving her a squeeze. “You did good tonight, Sparkle baby. Really good.”
As we head toward the exit, I smile down at her, satisfaction simmering beneath the surface. She glares back at me, lips pursed like she’s two seconds from another scathing remark, and it only makes me want her more. She’s fire wrapped in glitter, and I’m more than willing to get burned.
I pull her a little closer, and despite her attitude, she leans into me. It’s one hell of a rush, loving this girl. But it helps to know she can play the game and still come back to us exactly where she belongs.
Let Harrington have his date. I know where she’ll be at the end of the night.