Page 7 of Untamed Protector

Yeah, I don’t know about that. I feel more like a prisoner in these clothes, but a ball at the Casino and the chance to follow through on my plan with Lucas are worth the pain.

Another guy with an earpiece shows up next to Dominic, and they mumble something to each other for a few seconds. Then Dominic comes over, pulls me in for a quick hug, and leans in to whisper in my ear.

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t making fun of you earlier. It’s just that Gabriel forgot his cool act when he saw you at the entrance and then only mumbled something polite into his earpiece. It’s fun seeing him all flustered.”

“I doubt he forgot it. I think you’re just teasing him. He can still hear us, right?”

“Yeah, he can hear both of us now.” Dominic looks relaxed and amused by this whole thing—the exact opposite of Gabriel.

This dress must have a superpower. Two of the hottest guys in the Casino hugged me in less than fifteen minutes. How did that happen?

Okay, Lexi, so we’re calling Gabriel hot now… My brain’s stuck on replay, tracing every detail of his face: sharp jawline, carved cheekbones… and those eyes, deep chocolate pools. An intoxicating mix of warmth and mystery. The way his beard shadows his face just adds to the entire rugged thing, making my pulse quicken. And then there’s that citrusy spice that sends shivers down my spine. An imposing man who wears his scowl like a badge of honor, his clothes threatening to burst at the seams over broad shoulders and biceps. It all screams raw power.

“There’s my girl. Hey, Lexi. I lost you earlier.” Lucas storms in between us. Dominic takes a step back, and I swear I hear him growl. I take it they can’t stand one another.

“Dominic, my friend, are we keeping you from something?” Lucas never thanks people and never apologizes.

Dominic waves me off and walks away. And with him, I feel Gabriel leaving, too. That little earpiece was connecting us. Weirdly, I get a sense of loss. This stranger, who made me feel out of place at first, wrapped his powerful arms around me and safely led me through the crowd with a care that sent a warmth blooming in my stomach. It felt like a secret, a tenderness reserved just for us.

I turn to Lucas. He smiles at me and gently supports my arm. He looks tired, and his smile doesn’t hide that he’s not paying attention to me. Lucas being Lucas. His perfectly tailored suit and tousled blond hair make a good match. The air of sophistication is just a cover, though. Despite his best efforts to seem put together, he looks messy and like he hasn’t slept well in a while.

The music stops, and Dominic takes the stage to announce a special guest performance by an orchestra I’ve never heard of before. Everyone else seems to know them and starts clapping. As the musicians take their seats and raise their instruments, the first notes of a slow waltz fill the air. Lucas guides me a few steps closer to the center of the dance floor, seemingly inviting me to dance. A waltz in the Casino’s Grand Ballroom feels like the most amazing thing that’s ever happened to me. I turn to him and gently lift an arm, grasping my tiny clutch.

But instead of dancing, Lucas scans the room and says, “Go wait for me at the bar. I’ll be there in fifteen. This music is way too cheesy. We’ll get back here when it’s over so we can take part in the auction. Run along, gorgeous. The bar’s just there on the right.”

He flashes a smile and disappears, leaving me stranded in the center of the room. Couples begin to waltz, their movements fluid and graceful. Suddenly, I feel awkward and out of place, like a lone buoy bobbing in a sea of synchronized swimmers. I weigh my options. If I go right, as Lucas said, it’ll be a long walk, and I’ll bump into everyone. Walking back toward the stage seems even more exposed and noisy. I’d look awkward in front of the orchestra by myself.

I hesitantly take two steps to the right, muttering an apology as I bump into a couple who come to a surprised stop. A high-ranking officer in a gala uniform throws me a polite smile and turns around, leading his partner past me. I feel my cheeks turn red, a heat wave spreading like an aura around my head.

“I hate this place,” I grumble to myself.

“Don’t hate it,” I hear a voice behind me. Gabriel turns me to him, his grip firm on my waist as he pulls me close. The world blurs around us as we move, my feet skimming the floor like I’m defying gravity. I’m glued to him, and his scent envelops me. He holds my hand tight while his other presses my back, his fingers guiding my body toward the only place that feels right… in his arms, shielded from the world. Every scowl, every tense line in his body screams dominance, but it’s a dominance that ignites a fire within me. He owns the room, the music, and, at this moment, maybe even me.

“Why are you dancing with me, Gabriel Ross?” I whisper.

“Let’s make peace,” he says.

“I didn’t know we were at war.” The hell we’re not. I can’t forget how annoying he was earlier, almost ruining my plans for Lucas. Even now, he’s messing things up for me. If Lucas comes back and sees me with him, it’s going to look bad. But I’ll be damned if I want to leave his arms.

“It’s just a figure of speech. You enjoy teasing me. It’s okay, I can take it. I know you’re upset with me,” he whispers in my ear, but I can hardly hear him. Instead, I hear myself continuing to talk to him in my head. Only now, it’s my body talking to his, getting closer and pulling away slightly, just to feel the pressure of his fingers bringing me back to him.

The music dies down, and applause fills the room. The musicians in the front row take a bow and start getting ready for the next song. A few couples keep dancing, swaying to the fading melody, while others head to the edges of the dance floor.

It’s just us now. I’m still glued to him when Gabriel whispers, “We should move.”

“Are you seriously dragging me out of the room again? What is wrong with you?”

“Are you always this argumentative?”

“I don’t know. Are you always so bossy and relentless?”

“I am, actually. And I suppose your answer is you are, too.”

“I defend myself. There’s a difference.”

“You don’t have to defend yourself in front of me. Relax.”

“That wasn’t the case earlier. What’s changed?”

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