“This is an innocent woman we’re talking about,” she whispered. “It is our problem.”
When she said things like that, it made me realize we weren’t different at all. We had the same stubbornness and experienced the same heartbreak. I wanted to tear down the people who deserved it, but I never wanted to destroy an innocent person. “We have to let it go, Lovely. I did my best.”
Her eyes softened when she looked at me. “I know you did…you’re a good man.”
Now my eyes softened. “You really think that?” I was told I was cruel and evil. This woman was my prisoner, and she said the same thing months ago. But now I felt like I was the prisoner—infatuated with this woman.
“Of course I do.” Her hands slid up my chest, and she rose on her tiptoes to kiss me. Her lips were soft against my mouth, and the kiss started out subtle. It was meant to be a quick peck on the lips, but the second she felt my mouth, she remained pressed against me.
My arm tightened around her waist, and I maneuvered her against the wall, pressing her against the foundation with my hard-on right against her hip. My hand moved around her neck, and I gently felt her pulse as I kissed her, forgetting about all the people waiting for me downstairs.
Her hands moved to my shoulders, and she gave me her tongue, that sexy embrace that always made my spine shiver.
If I didn’t pull away now, I’d pull her into a bedroom and fuck her. I didn’t want to screw when it had to be quick and rushed. I wanted to take my time, to peel that away dress before I slid inside that wet pussy for the rest of the night.
I moved away from her and licked my lips, tasting the lipstick she wore. My thumb wiped the corner of my mouth to make sure none of the paint was on my own lips. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t care. But it wasn’t exactly appropriate for the black-tie event. “We’ll pick this up later.”
13
London
I stuck to Crewe’s side for the evening, doing my best to be a good conversationalist with a bunch of sophisticated strangers. My eyes kept wandering to Josephine, and every time I looked at her, she was staring at Crewe.
That pissed me off.
Crewe didn’t tell me what happened between them, but based on watching their behavior, it was obvious. They were together, and he broke it off. She struggled to accept the ending of their relationship, which was why she still wanted him even though she was seeing someone else.
Whore.
She didn’t even try to hide her longing. Every time I looked at her, her eyes were glued to Crewe. Her boyfriend must have noticed the same thing and didn’t care. My arm was usually tucked into Crewe’s arm, and I gave her a nasty glare if she stared for a little too long. When she caught my look, she quickly turned away and tried to act like she hadn’t been staring in the first place.
Crewe finished his conversation before he turned back to me. “What were you doing?”
“Just looking around.”
His eyes narrowed in suspicion.
“Okay, I was giving Josephine a nasty look. She won’t stop staring at you.”
He grinned as he enjoyed my jealousy. “Ignore her. She can stare all she wants, but it doesn’t change the fact that I’m with you.”
It wasn’t a cheesy line, but my heart fluttered like it was.
Crewe turned to the doorway once the next guest walked inside. People were coming and going, and everywhere we turned, that was someone new to greet. “He’s here.”
My eyes moved to the doorway, and I spotted Bones walk inside. He wore a dark suit and blended in with the rest of the crowd. But he came alone. There wasn’t a woman on his arm or anywhere in sight.
Dammit.
Crewe dropped his hand from my side. “I’m going to greet him. Stay here.”
I didn’t want to be anywhere near that man, but I didn’t want to be vulnerable either. It would be easy for Joseph to slip one of his men inside to watch me, waiting for the perfect opportunity to grab me by the arm and point a gun into my back. My brother wasn’t that aggressive, but in reality, I didn’t know what he was capable of. He had been reckless enough to piss off Crewe in the first place. “No. Where you go, I go.”
Crewe looked like he wanted to argue with me, but since we were in a public setting, he let it slide. “It’ll be about business.”
“That’s fine.”
“You can go mingle with Cassandra.”
“No.” I wasn’t going anywhere.
Crewe finally dropped it, and we walked up to Bones, my arm through his. “Kind of you to drop by.” They shook hands.
Bones immediately looked at me once he and Crewe had finished greeting one another. His bright blue eyes looked evil in that twisted face. I’d never forget the way he grabbed my tit like he owned me. He was disgusting, the most despicable man on the planet. I felt even more gratitude for Crewe since I was standing there with him instead of Bones. “Your date looks lovely, Crewe. Very lovely.”