Page 8 of Marcel

He did not dance withher again for the rest of the evening, and he did his best to ignoreher, even though his family was surrounding her and including her inthe conversation. They had accepted her, giving him no choice. Hecould see Simone staring at him, something he had to do his best toignore.

He was about to callit a night when Nikki touched him briefly on the arm.

“What?”

Her tapered browslifted at his disgruntled tone, and he had the distinct impressionthat she was laughing at him. “We need to set up a date. I wasthinking about the Renaissance tomorrow at eight. You don’thave to pick me up.”

He was about to tellher to go to hell when his mother intervened. “I think that’sa lovely idea. The place is beautiful and very visible. People willbe in no doubt as to the status of your relationship.”

“Whatrelationship?” Marcel asked bitterly.

“Ourcourtship.” He had to hand it to her; his tone or words did notdaunt her.

Gripping her arm, hepasted a smile on his lips and almost dragged her to the corner ofthe room. Placing a hand over her head and the other against her arm,he gave the impression that they were having an intimate moment.

“Are youplanning on kissing me?”

“I’drather kiss a snake,” he told her coldly. “Let’sget something straight: You don’t get to call the shots—ever.My family is investing a hell of many resources in you, and I willnot stand around and allow you to think that you are in charge. I getto pick the place and decide whether or not we are going anywhere. Isthat clear?”

“Perfectly,”she placed her hands on his chest and felt when his muscles quivered.“So, where are we going, darling?”

For a fewseconds, he could not move. He stared into her dark brown eyes andfelt the hypnotic gaze pulling him in. Before he could move, herhands came around his neck. “Your mistress is coming this way,”she whispered. “Why don’t we give her something toremember?”

His head jerkedslightly, but he was not quick enough and could not avoid her armscurving around his neck and bringing his face towards hers. Her lipspressed against his and almost against his will, and he responded.Her breath touched his mouth and sent a flash of acute awarenessthrough his body.

The hand placedabove her head slid down to wrap around her neck, fingers pressingagainst the pulse beating there. A groan escaped him, andinstinctively, he molded himself against her slender body.

He was dimly aware ofthe sound of laughter somewhere behind them, but he was lost in sucha thick fog of lust that he could not think about anything else butthe feel of her lips against his.

To his mortificationand anger, she ended the kiss by pushing him away slightly. “Ithink we have made our point,” she said huskily.

Jerking his head fromhers, he stepped back and had to take some steadying breaths.

“Marcel?”

“What?”He rasped.

“TheRenaissance, tomorrow at eight.” He watched as she turned andwalked away, slender hips swaying seductively. Leaning against thewall, he closed his eyes briefly, opening them just in time to seeSimone turning away. Swearing beneath his breath, he considered goingafter her but stopped himself just in time.

It would not be agood idea - people were watching. He looked around to see severalknowing smirks, which pissed him off enough to walk jerkily back towhere his family were.

“I am leaving,”he told them tightly, ignoring the speculative looks they threw athim.

“I think Nikkiis leaving as well.” His father pointed out.

Automatically, heturned to watch as she chatted with several males following behindher like dogs in heat. His hands clenched into fists as one of themen put his hand around her waist. “I wonder which one of themshe is leaving with,” he said bitterly before heading to leave.He was across the room when his sister caught up with him.

“I am not inthe mood,” he told her coolly.

Slipping a handthrough his arm, she ignored the warning. “I like her.”

“So you marryher.” He bit out, nodding to several acquaintances.

“I think youlike her too.”

He turned to stareinto the lovely face, his expression softening. “She is a painin the ass and thinks she is God’s gift to the malepopulation.”

Julia grinned, eyesdancing. “It’s like you are describing yourself.”Her expression sobered.

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