Yours Completely (Billionaires and Brides 1)

“Then, I'd like to request the next dance, if you don't mind,” Jace said, pulling her back to standing.

Blood rushed through Ella's head, the dip leaving her lightheaded and giddy. She grinned widely, holding out her hand to him.

“You've got me all evening,” she said, enjoying the coy words.

“Then I'm the luckiest man on earth,” Jace replied, pulling her to him as the next song began.

Chapter Fifteen

Ella wasn't sure if it was the wine or the dancing, but her head was spinning like a top and she didn't want it to stop. Dancing with Jace was like second nature. It was easy and graceful, like she was meant to do it. She wanted to follow wherever he lead.

The song ended and Jace dipped her low. Ella sent a silent thank you up to whoever invented double-sided sticky tape, otherwise the dress would be halfway to the floor. And given the way Jace's hands felt on her, she wasn't half sure that was a bad thing.

Well, maybe not with the other hundred plus guests standing there watching.

A cold, prickling sensation settled between Ella's shoulder blades as she stood from the dip. She slowly turned, her eyes meeting those of Delores. The woman wore a racy dark blue dress that glittered with every move. Not to mention the diamonds encrusting every finger and circling around her neck. Ella wondered where in the world Delores had gotten the money to buy, or even rent, jewelry like that. Especially when the inn so desperately needed new equipment.

Delores narrowed her eyes, their gazes meeting. Icy dread ripped through her stomach. The glare Delores shot her should have been enough to kill and bury her. Twice.

She was not looking forward to going to work. She knew Delores hated her, but the hatred of that stare far surpassed anything Ella had encountered from her. Delores had to be furious that her good-for-nothing stepdaughter was dancing with the billionaire, but Ella didn't care. Not today and not tomorrow. She had the day off tomorrow. She'd worry about whatever torture Delores was going to come up with in a day or two. Whatever it was, she was certain being with Jace was worth it.

Delores turned away and went back to talking with a man in a suit. Ella recognized him as Madelyn's father and nearly threw up in her mouth as Delores giggled and put her hand on his arm and snuggled in closer to the man. Delores was determined to bag one of the Connor men in some way or another.

“Are you okay?” Jace was looking at her intently and Ella realized she had been frozen to the floor. “Do you need some air?”

“Yeah, fresh air sounds great,” she murmured, trying to escape the Medusa glare of her stepmother over Jace's father's shoulder.

Jace tucked her hand into his elbow, guiding her off the dance floor and out of the reception area. Even as she moved, Ella could feel the evil gaze of her stepmother and she did her best not to shudder. Two days from now was going to suck. A lot.

Jace moved her through the party with ease. He knew how to navigate the crowd, murmuring hellos and greeting people without really stopping. It was a talent Ella admired. It was clear that numerous people wanted his attention, yet somehow, he managed to keep her the center of his world as they escaped the party.

All but one person was willing to let them leave without issue.

“There you are, Jace.” The blonde from the previous night sidled up to the two of them, taking Jace's free arm and pulling. It was nearly strong enough to rip Jace away from her.

“Rosalind.” Jace's voice was hard and cold.

“I'm so happy to run into you here,” the blonde purred. The dress the woman was wearing was close to indecent, with a slit coming up her thigh and over her hip while her cleavage hung out for all to see.

“I'm afraid I don't have time to chat,” Jace replied, pulling away and wrapping his arm protectively around Ella. She had a feeling it was more for his protection than hers, though. That woman was predatory.

“Oh, Jace, that's no way to treat your date for the evening,” Rosalind purred, referring to herself as the date. “I thought tonight

was going to be a fresh start for us.”

She managed to puff her already ridiculously displayed chest out a little further. Much more and Ella was sure that the red gown painted onto the blonde would go flying off at the seams and leave her naked.

“Rosalind, we've been through this.” Jace managed to keep his tone low and even, but Ella could see the veins popping out on the side of his neck. “There is no us. There never was.”

“Jacey...” Rosalind ran a perfectly manicured finger up the center of Jace's suit. “There was always an us. Just think of how good that weekend in the Hamptons was. You said it was the best sex of your life. You're never going to get that with the help. A roll in the hay maybe, but not what I offer.”

Ella was fairly sure she was going to melt through the floor with embarrassment. This beautiful woman was talking to Jace as if they were alone. Ella's cheeks heated and she would have pulled away if Jace didn't have her hand locked into his arm. It was obvious that the blonde didn't care. She was completely and utterly disrespecting Ella by pretending that she wasn't even there. Ella should have been used to it, given the way her stepmother treated her, yet this time felt different. Ella was sure that at any moment, Jace would give up and just shrug and leave Ella on the dance floor. It was what people in her life did.

But that wasn't Jace.

“I have a date. And it's not you.” Jace caught Rosalind's hand and tossed it aside. “Excuse us, Rosalind. I'm afraid my date and I are needed elsewhere.”

He led Ella away from the gaping, open-mouth woman in the revealing red dress. It was a good thing he had Ella's arm so firmly in his or she would have tripped over her heels and fallen on the floor.