“Tell me why you’re so important.”
“I’m a businessman, Rhianna. Play nice. I don’t want to have to send you home looking all miserable because you couldn’t do as you’re told.”
His sister proceeded to stick her tongue out and then walk off as if she owned the place. No matter how much he tried to keep her reserved, she seemed content to simply do her own thing. “You haven’t spoken since we got here,” he said, looking at the gorgeous woman on his arm.
He was going to have to kill his sister. The dress, well, any man within a mile of his woman was going to be drooling. Maybe he should convince his sister to do something in regard to fashion? It was a possibility, and then he wouldn’t have to worry or deal with her being in his life every second of every day.
“I don’t have a lot to say,” she said.
Her hands were clenched at her sides. She looked nervous. Taking her hand, he threaded it around his arm with a smile. “Don’t be nervous. They can always tell if you’re nervous.”
“I really shouldn’t be here, Gabriel.”
“You’re here to make me look good.”
“I’m going to make a fool of myself.”
“You’re not. I won’t leave you alone. How about that? I’ll keep you at my side all night?”
She nibbled on her lip, still seeming nervous. He squeezed her hand.
“No, it’s fine. I can handle this.”
Gabriel moved her to an alcove. Placing one hand above her head, he cupped her thigh. “You don’t have to handle anything while I’m around,” he said. “I’ll take care of you.” He slid his hand beneath the fabric of her skirt and wished they were back at his place. There was no way in hell he was going to analyze why he considered it their place. It was his place. She was merely his plaything.
She tilted her head back and he stared at her full lips. They’d look so good wrapped around his dick. With the way he held her, he couldn’t touch her face, and with their audience, there sure as fuck was no way to push her to her knees. Later tonight though.
“Gabriel, I can’t rely on you. Our time is running out.” She pressed her body against his. “And right now, you need to back up before someone thinks something that’s not the case.” She moved away from him.
Her shoulders were square and she looked tense. Out in the room, she had an air of authority, confidence. She was faking it for all of them. This wasn’t her domain but like a true survivor, she wasn’t going to show any weakness.
He just wanted to take her to the nearest room and fuck her until she screamed his name. As a waitress passed, he took a glass of champagne. The woman stopped, giving him the eye that told him he’d be in for a good time with her, but he wasn’t interested. The only woman he wanted had taken her own glass and stood in the center of the room, watching, listening, and looking stunning.
Rather than invade her air of confidence, he kept her in his sights. It wasn’t long before he was approached by a budding politician. So far, the man in front of him had only made his political intentions in private but if he was willing to fund him, he’d make sure his life would run smoothly for any business venture he needed. Gabriel had dealt with a lot of men who wanted his money. It was all with an agenda and the only way he parted with cash was to make his life easier.
Greed was easier to deal with.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone he didn’t recognize approach Claire. Rhianna had also joined her. He gritted his teeth as the man placed a hand at the base of Claire’s back and walked her onto the dance floor.
That was his back, on his woman, and no one should be touching her but him. Another man danced with his sister. Finishing off his champagne, he left the conversation going on around him midway through. He wasn’t interested in whatever they had to say. The man with Claire had his hand way too close to her ass and if he wasn’t careful, he was about to commit murder. No one touched his woman.
“Leave,” he said, wrapping his arm around Claire’s waist and glaring at the man.
“Let the lady decide who she wants to dance with,” the fucker said.
“Let me make one thing clear for you, this will not end well. You don’t know who you’re messing with.”
Claire tensed in his arms. She let go of the man and spun in his arms. “It’s fine. I’ll dance with you.”
He continued to glare at the man behind her.
“You don’t have to put up with this shit.”