Page 143 of The Price of Forever

“I told you. Change of plans. I’m on duty tonight. Can we proceed?” His voice held an edge, which tasted like honey to me. God, it was a relief to be near him again and basking in this energy that pulsed between us, even when I was angry, even when we were distant.

“Besides,” he added, “you’re not frivolous.” He gestured toward the front door, and I walked alongside him, crossing my arms over my chest, like the gesture might contain the emotion inside that was desperate to burst out.

“Well, if that isn’t the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard in my life,” I muttered.

He sent me a sharp look. “You’re the most important thing there is, Jordan. Not just to your brothers. To me.”

I rang the doorbell, looking over at him quickly before it swung open and Eli’s attendant greeted us. I gave him an air kiss—Eli’s staff were what I liked best about his place—and glided into the foyer, spotting Eli through the crowd in one of the front rooms.

“Oh, I see Eli,” I announced, to no one in particular. My act was beginning for the evening. I slid my leather coat off my shoulders and handed it to an attendant nearby. “I’ll go say hi.”

I didn’t make it two steps before a strong hand caught my wrist. Seven stilled me, leaning in close.

“Can we talk?”

I shook him off. “Not now. I’m busy.”

He angled himself in front of me, looming in my path. “Let me rephrase. We’re going to talk.”

“Not now,” I hissed, glaring at him before brushing past him, adding, “Your time to talk came and went.”

I hurried into the party, lifting my hand to catch Eli’s attention. He grinned across the room at me, his green eyes already glassy. I rushed over to him, throwing my arms around his neck.

“There you are,” I murmured into his ear.

“Been waiting for you, gorgeous.” I felt his hand at the small of my back and, for the first time, I didn’t care. I just hoped Seven was watching extra carefully. Not because I was in danger. Because I wanted to piss off Seven in every way possible.

“I’m finally here,” I purred before kissing his cheek. I could feel a portion of the breathable air in the room disappear, likely Seven’s fists tightening as he watched us, though I couldn’t see him to confirm. Eli smiled even wider, slinging an arm over my shoulders.

“Let’s make the rounds,” he said. “And we need to get you a drink…”

I tagged along, tucked under his arm, as we drifted through the party, much like last time. We mingled with politicians, paused to chat with Eli’s friends, and I watched as he took occasional lines from passing mirrored trays, downing whatever drink or shot a server handed to him. I drank my white wine slowly, taking as many peeks at my bodyguard as I could.

Seven stayed stoic and looming against the far wall of whatever room we were in. A couple of times our gazes met, and my body was consumed with shivers. I hated how his being here was exactly what I’d been desperate for. He wanted to talk. Well, so did I. But only after he suffered first.

I stuck extra close to Eli. When he came in for a peck on the cheek or more, I didn’t shy away. I played up the bubbly lover part as needed, and from Eli’s constant grin, I could tell he was lapping this shit up.

After an hour or so at his side, I needed to pee. I disentangled myself from him, slipping away to the bathroom. Seven stepped out after me, keeping his distance as I hurried down the hall to the bathroom. Before I could shut the door, Seven was in the doorframe.

I frowned. “Worried I forgot how to pee without you?”

He stepped inside, causing me to stumble backward. He caught me by the wrist.

“I need a few minutes with you. Alone.”

“Does it have to be when I’m on the brink of emptying my bladder?”

He pushed the door shut behind him then leaned against it with a smirk. “I’ll wait.”

“Oh. Inside. Thanks.” I huffed, shuffling over to the toilet as I lifted my skirt.

“Not like I haven’t seen it before,” he replied coolly.

“Yeah, well, I’m not in the habit of peeing in front of my close protection officers,” I snapped as I sat on the toilet and did my business. The tinkling filled the bathroom air, seeming aggressively loud as his attention sizzled on me. It sounded like I was peeing off the top of a building, for God’s sake. I sighed, willing this to be over. I’d never had such intense focus on my urination before.

“Do you have to stare at me?” I finally asked, tearing off some toilet paper.

“Just getting you back for all that staring you liked to do in the mornings.”

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