The Contract (The Contract 1)

With a smile I hoped was real, I made my way toward Katharine. She saw me coming, and to her credit, she looked happy to see me. When I held out my hand, she took it and let me tuck her close. I’d had enough to drink; I lowered my mouth to hers, nuzzling her lips, and murmuring against them. “Sweetheart, you’ve been too far away for too long.”

She giggled a little, cupping my face easily. It was obvious, she’d had a few glasses of wine herself, and she felt loose and relaxed in my arms. “I was wondering when you’d make your way over.”

“Don’t worry, my lovely, I was watching you.” I buried my face into her neck. I had to admit, she always smelled enticing. It was light and feminine, not overpowering.

And it was true—for some reason, even when I didn’t want it to happen, my gaze drifted to where she was in the room.

Jenna laughed. “The two of you can’t keep your hands off each other.”

I lifted my head. “Can you blame me? I had to hide it so long. It feels good to be able to show my affection.”

Her face creased into a frown. “That must have been difficult.”

Nodding, I pulled Katharine tighter. “You have no idea.”

“Well, I hate to do this to you, but there are other people who want to meet your lady.”

I couldn’t resist. “They don’t want to meet me?”

Jenna shook her head. “They know who you are, Richard. And you’re welcome to come along, but Katharine is the star tonight.”

She tugged on Katharine’s hand, and dutifully, but silently, I followed. My mood had gone from irritated to downright pissed off. Jenna had summed it up perfectly.

I signaled for another scotch, ignoring Katharine’s warning look. If she were to be the star, then I’d be at her side.

The adoring fiancé—who couldn’t keep his hands to himself.

She’d hate it.“Richard!” Katharine warned, moving my hands from her ass again. “People are looking!”

I grinned against the soft skin of her neck. She really did smell good. “Let them look.”

She turned, glaring at me. She leaned up on her toes, and I bent my head down to hear what she had to say. To anyone looking at us we were trading secrets, lovers whispering sweet words to each other. The truth was far different.

“You aren’t paying me enough to let you grope me in public all night,” she hissed into my ear.

I smirked as I yanked her tighter to my side, my arm like a piece of iron around her waist. “I pay you to act like a loving fiancée—so play your part. If I want to grope you, I will.”

“You already got the job. Why are you trying so hard?”

I forced her closer. “I want to keep it—act as if you can’t wait to get me home and fuck my brains out, and we can leave soon.”

Her head fell back, her eyes startled. Up close, I was amazed to see the rim of gold around her irises, small flecks of sunshine in the blue sea. Her hair was loose again tonight, and I buried my hand in the thick tresses. “You have great hair,” I murmured.

“Wh–what?”

I dropped my face lower. I could sense the stares all around us. “I’m going to kiss you now.”

I didn’t give her a chance to speak. I crashed my mouth to hers, holding her head tight in my hand, kissing her hard. Because I was angry and she was the cause, I deepened the kiss, slipping my tongue inside and stroking hers.

What I didn’t expect, was the burst of intense heat that flared between us—or how her hands slipped up my arms and around my neck, holding me just as tight. Nothing prepared me for the flash of desire, or the desperate wish that we were alone, not surrounded by a group of people watching me kiss my fiancée. Hastily, I drew back, my gaze finding Adrian’s and Jenna’s amused expressions. I shrugged, kissed the end of Katharine’s nose, and stepped back, releasing her from my iron grip. She stumbled and gasped a little, and my arm shot out, holding her upright. I steadied her, looking down with what I hoped was a concerned expression.

“Sweetheart?”

She glanced up, her mouth pink and moist from my tongue, cheeks infused with color and her eyes dazed. At my amused face, she shook off my hold, smoothing back her hair.

“I think we need to go home.”

I winked at her. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that.”

She glared, and I wanted to laugh. Whether she knew it or not, she had just made certain everyone thought the same thing.

My plan had worked.

“Oh, no, you aren’t leaving for another hour.” Jenna shook her head. “It’s not even nine. Mom and I still haven’t finished talking to Katy about the wedding. She won’t commit to anything! I swear she’s hiding something!”