Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
Solenn
The weight of Maverick’s hand on my waist still lingered, his touch a brand against my skin, even though he was no longer holding me. My body still buzzed from the possessive way he had pulled me close, his words low and commanding.
"Stay close. You work for me. Act like it."
Like I was going to let that go unchallenged.
I lifted my champagne glass, feigning complete nonchalance, even as my mind replayed the way his fingers had pressed just firmly enough against my waist to send a message to every other man in the room.
I should have been the one feeling thrown off balance.
Instead, he was the one watching me now.
I could feel it—the weight of his gaze, the way his presence didn’t ease, didn’t shift, didn’t waver. Maverick Spencer was a man who rarely let his emotions slip, but there was something in the way he stood now—tense, controlled, waiting.
For what?
For me to react?
For me to break the silence first?
Too bad for him, I was perfectly fine pretending nothing had happened.
At least, until I caught the unmistakable sight of Nadia Greyson standing just a few feet away.
She was watching us, her lips pressed into a polite but razor-sharp smile, the kind that said I’m about to start some shit, but I’ll make it look elegant.
Oh, fantastic.
Here we go.
I barely had time to mentally prepare myself before she approached, the train of her blood-red silk gown flowing dramatically behind her like she had choreographed the entire thing.
"Solenn, isn't it?" she said, her voice honeyed but edged with something far sharper.
I gave her my best-disinterested smile, refusing to let her see even a flicker of intimidation. "That’s what it says on my birth certificate."
Her eyes flickered to Maverick for the briefest second before landing back on me, her expression all practiced grace and condescension. "I have to say, it’s so… refreshing to see someone so comfortable in a room like this. Especially given how… new you are to all of this."
I tilted my head, pretending to consider her words. "That’s a funny way of saying I didn’t expect you to keep up."
Her lips curved, but the amusement didn’t reach her eyes. "Maverick has always had a… habit of picking up temporary distractions. I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised."
Ah. There it is.
I let out a soft, amused breath. "And yet, here you are. Watching me instead of him."
Her fingers tightened around her champagne flute, just barely. "Just making sure you know your place," she said sweetly.
I arched a brow, fully enjoying this now. "Oh, I do. Right next to him, apparently."
Maverick hadn’t said a word this whole time, but I could feel his silent presence behind me, a solid, steady force, just waiting to see how this would play out.
Nadia’s mask finally cracked, the carefully placed warmth in her expression fading just enough for me to see the frustration underneath. "You must be very confident," she said slowly, "if you think you’re anything more than a passing amusement to him."
I took a slow sip of my champagne, utterly unbothered. "You must be very desperate," I murmured, just loud enough for her to hear, "if you’re still trying to convince yourself he belongs to you."
Her entire body stiffened.
And then—oh, because of course she would—she "accidentally" tipped her champagne just enough for red wine to spill all over my dress.
A collective gasp rippled through the nearby guests.
Nadia covered her mouth, eyes wide with fake horror. "Oh no! I’m so sorry."
I didn’t move.
Didn’t react.
Didn’t so much as flinch.
Because if she thought for a second that this would make me crumble, she had no idea who she was dealing with.
I exhaled slowly, glanced down at the dark stain seeping into the fabric, and then looked back up at her with a slow, amused smile.
"Wow," I mused. "That was… incredibly predictable."
She blinked. "Excuse me?"
I tilted my head, letting my lips curve just enough. "Oh, honey. If you wanted to be this obvious, you could have at least tried to make it look convincing."
The murmurs around us grew louder,and more curious, and I knew she was realizing her mistake.
Because I wasn’t embarrassed.
I wasn’t flustered or upset or running to clean myself up.
I was owning the moment.
And then, just to send her completely over the edge, I turned—not to leave, but to face Maverick.
His eyes met mine, steady, unreadable, but there was something undeniable in the way he was watching me now.
I took a step closer.
Then another.
The room hushed, waiting.
And with every single person watching, I reached for his tie, curling my fingers around the silk, tugging him toward me.
The briefest flicker of surprise crossed his features before I tilted my chin up and kissed him.
Heat.
Sharp, instant, undeniable heat.
His lips were firm and warm, and for a second—just a second—I thought he might pull away, might resist.
But then, he didn’t.
He kissed me back.
Not just kiss me back—he took control.
His hand found my waist, gripping firm and possessive, his fingers pressing into my spine as he pulled me closer, tilting his head just enough to deepen the kiss.
My breath hitched, my pulse spiraling out of control, and the room—the whispers, the murmurs, the scandalized gasps—faded completely.
Nothing else existed.
Just this.
Just him.
I don’t know how long we stayed like that before I finally pulled away, exhaling slowly.
I let go of his tie, stepping back with deliberate slowness, letting the moment linger in the air.
Then, with one last smirk at Nadia, I grabbed Maverick’s hand, laced my fingers through his, and walked away—pulling him with me.
Maverick didn’t say a word.
Didn’t question it.
Didn’t stop me.
He just followed.
And for the first time all night, I realized—he wasn’t in control anymore.
I was.