Chapter 5
Chapter Five
PAXTON
This was very unexpected. At least not this soon. Part of my fascination and obsession with Naomi is that while I might be able to predict a direction or even nudge one along when it comes to her, once she gets there, she can be Pandora’s box.
“Apologize,” I order the dumbfuck who is trapped in my hold. He’s been watching Naomi since he spotted her. He was easy to read, and I knew it would only be a matter of time before he got closer to her. He’s undeservedly cocky.
I can’t say I blame him. I’d been taken with her the first time I saw her too. I could have cut him off, but why would I ruin Naomi’s fun?
“I don’t care to repeat myself.” I know his type. The words “I’m sorry” don’t cross his lips unless they are forcefully pulled from him.
It’s a stupid mistake. An apology is easy enough to give, especially if you fucked up. However, men like him believe that apologizing makes them appear weaker, which is why he will not progress any further in life than he already has. Ego is heavy and comes with a high cost.
He’s really starting to piss me off. My attention is on him when it should be elsewhere. I squeeze harder.
“Sorry.”
I release my hold on him, shoving him in the other direction. A few people close by are watching us.
“I would ask if you’re okay, but you had it handled.”
“Then why did you step in?” Naomi’s tone is flat, her face expressionless. I relish in it. It will make it all the sweeter when I can get those expressions from her. I’m not a man who isn’t willing to work for what he wants, and if you want a queen, which she is, you need to act accordingly.
“It gave me an opening to come and introduce myself.”
“You’re Paxton,” Mac says. “Mr. Winks-a-Lot.” Naomi elbows her in the side.
My eyes linger on the choker she has wrapped around her throat. I want to run my tongue along it. I don’t think she knows how erotic she is. She’s a temptation that I could never refuse. It is, after all, why I have led myself on the path to here.
Naomi simply stands there staring at me, tilting her head slightly to the side, making her curls brush against her shoulders.
I’d be a liar if I didn’t admit I was annoyed with seeing her hair down.
No, I’m jealous. She always keeps it pulled back and out of her face.
I’ve had many fantasies about her hair and pulling it free for myself, her letting me do it.
“Yes.”
Naomi gives a stiff nod before turning to leave. Mac lifts a single brow, her silent question clear. What will be my next move?
I follow after Naomi, answering the unspoken question. My eyes drop to her ass and down her legs, memorizing every detail so that I can relive it later when I stroke my cock.
Naomi might be on the shorter side, but her legs are as beautiful as the rest of her. But what she doesn’t have in height she has in natural curves. No matter how hard she trains or works out, she’ll never lose them. Thank fuck for that.
When we make it back to her table, Naomi picks up her empty champagne glass. I grab the bottle to pour her a glass.
“I shouldn’t.” Naomi pulls the glass back. She has had two glasses so far, but that’s not the issue.
“No one tampered with the champagne.”
“Why should I trust you?” I can tell she’s assessing my every move. But also, that she’s curious about me. I want her that way. Her thinking about me in any sense is what I’m aiming for.
“Because you’ll be my wife soon. Why would I cause you harm?”
“I haven’t agreed.”
“You haven’t?” My question silences her, and I know that brilliant, fast-thinking mind of hers is working.
“I had been on the side of yes, but that could change.” As I thought.
“I won’t give you a reason to change it.”
“Don’t be so sure of yourself.”
I step closer to her, plucking the glass from her hand and filling it.
“You’re beautiful,” I tell her when I hand it back.
“It’s the makeup and clothes.”
“I didn’t say you were beautiful tonight. I simply said, ‘You’re beautiful.’” I watch as the corner of her lip starts to pull up. I lean in farther, testing my luck. “I promise if you smile, I won’t tell a soul.” The corners of her eyes soften a fraction.
“Why are you here? Did you follow me?”
“This is the most popular club in the city,” I point out. “And I’ll always follow you, Naomi. Soon it will be my right to do so.” I don’t want to lie, so I choose my words wisely. I’m sure she doesn’t miss that either.
Naomi sits down next to Mac, who is watching us. She downs most of her drink, holding it out for me to pour another.
“So.” Mac leans back. “This isn’t awkward.”
“It isn’t.” Both Naomi and I say it at the same time. Mine isn’t a lie. Naomi’s is; her response is too quick for a woman who thinks before she speaks.
“I merely want to spend time with you.”
“Why?” She tilts her head toward me. “Our marriage will be transactional.”
“Marriage in your family is forever, I’m told.”
“That doesn’t mean it still can’t be transactional.” Her bright blue eyes search my face. They are such a contrast to her dark hair and creamy skin, making them boldly stand out. It’s fitting for her. “I can’t love you.”
“You can.”
Her nose scrunches, the alcohol relaxing her. When her hand lifts, she surprises me by bringing it to my cheek and stroking gently with her thumb. I saw War do it to Tova this morning in his office.
Then her grip tightens around my jaw, and she leans in close. “Don’t be winking at other people.” It’s one of the hardest things I have ever done to not laugh or smile. She’s jealous in her own way.
“Never.”
“You didn’t have any facial hair this morning.” She still hasn’t dropped her hand, but her hold has loosened.
“I shave in the mornings.” It’s gruff by this time of night. If I’d known I’d be going out, I would have cleaned it up.
“I like it. So it will be there tomorrow night at dinner?”
“Your father hasn’t confirmed that it’s happening.”
“That wasn’t the question.”
“My apologies, Sunshine. Yes, if it pleases you, I’d be more than happy to let it grow.”
“You’re very agreeable.” I’m not sure she’s aware, but her thumb is still stroking my skin, and she’s leaning closer and closer to me.
“Yes, I can be very agreeable when I’m getting what I want. Asking me not to shave is nothing.” This time I lean in more, and she doesn’t pull back. She lightly tenses as one of my hands comes down to her knee, and I stroke her the same as she does me. “Do you shave?” Naomi sucks in a breath.
Her hair is close enough now for me to be able to smell her shampoo; it’s clean and fresh. Then I catch the hint of peaches, and I know that’s all her.
“Is this flirting?”
“I suppose. You smell sweet. Like peaches.” That wisp of a smile starts to form on her lips again but not fully.
“Do you really think I’m beautiful, or are you trying to win my favor?”
“Both.”
“I like this.” She nods firmly. “Yes, I think I enjoy your attention.” My hand slides farther up her thigh. “You’re petting me.” Does she not realize she’s doing the same?
“Stroking you. You’re as soft as I thought you’d be.”
A small, low laugh leaves her. “No one has ever called me soft.”
“Good. I don’t want anyone who isn’t related to you touching you enough to find out.”
“You’re possessive.”
“Is that going to be a problem?”
“I’m not sure.” She dips her chin slightly. “I think I might like that too.” Naomi lifts her head back to meet my eyes. I don’t think she meant to say that second part out loud.
“I haven’t found a thing I don’t like about you.”
“Give it time.”
Then she surprises the fuck out of me by pressing her mouth to mine.
It could be a trap. Naomi lured me out to strike. To pull my attention away, but I don’t give a fuck. She can stab me in the gut right now, and I’d keep kissing her until I breathed my last breath.