Page 10 of Under His Control

She wasn’t in the mood to hear me out, though. She wasn’t interested in asking me about how I’d come to find out I had a daughter, either. Walking off to join Romeo, she didn’t seem excited about talking to me at all.

I growled under my breath as I walked back toward one of the bars. I wouldn’t fit in here, but that wouldn’t stop me from drinking their booze and numbing some of these shocks that kept coming my way.

Ordering a shot didn’t take me long, and drinking it lasted even less.

“Another?” the bartender asked, one brow raised.

I had a high tolerance, but I was doing this to forget for a moment. That I was a father responsible for a toddler. That I hadno clue where my life would go. That my friend was intent on marrying into the Mafia.

Before I could reply, my phone chimed with another update from Danicia of Olivia sleeping in a crib.

Danicia:Nothing wrong with lil Olivia trying out one of the cribs for Nina’s baby. :)

Danicia:Enjoy the party. She’s good for a long while in your guest room with me.

I nodded. Hell, I probably wouldn’t have another chance to drink for a while. Then I shook my head. “A double.”

He didn’t judge. With a curt nod, he got my drink.

“Looks like the beverages are still to your liking.”

I glared at the wall at Eva’s taunting voice.

She sidled up to me at the bar, disdain still evident in her eyes and disapproval clear in her frown.

“Fuck.” I shook my head. I didn’t know why she’d singled me out. Of all the men and women in this big-ass ballroom, she had to target me, to makemylife more miserable than it already had the potential for. “Not you again.”

“Don’t make yourself comfortable.” She kept looking forward, giving me her profile to scowl at. It wasn’t a hardship to gaze at her from this angle. Eva had the classic sort of beauty that would be gorgeous no matter which way I stared at her.

I didn’t listen. I did make myself comfortable, taking in every detail. Those regal high cheekbones, the smooth sun-kissed skin, and the cascading wave of her glossy brown locks as they tumbled over her shoulder. I dragged my stare lower, appreciating the toned definition of her arm and wondering how long it would take for her flesh to break out in goosebumps from my caress there. If I were to tug that thin strap off and lower her dress…

I exhaled all the pent-up frustration I didn’t want to hold in any longer. She was frigid, an icy woman who made it nosecret that I couldn’t affiliate with her, but fuck, was she sexy. The attraction between us had flared up as instantly as our annoyance with each other had. Potent and quick to flame.

I wanted her on a visceral, physical level, but now wasn’t the time. And she wasn’t the woman to lose myself in.

“You belong less than he does.” She tipped her chin at the bartender.

Less than the hired help.That was fucking precious.

I stood, buoyed with this infuriating lust for her. She was hot. She was tempting. But way, way too irritating for me to want to spend another moment near her.

“Shut up,” I told her, “and stay out of my fucking way.”

I knew which battles to fight, and she wouldn’t be one. Not if she was a member of the goddamn Mafia I wasn’t sure Tessa should marry into. I tried my best not to start a scene with Tessa when I asked her about this family she was interested in joining. And I would try my best not to start a scene with Eva here. Instead, I turned and walked away with the last drink that I’d allow myself for the night.

“You can’t talk to me like that,” she said, seething as she hurried after me.

I sipped my drink, not giving her the satisfaction of a reply as I headed toward the door that I hoped would lead out of this ritzy, glamorous ballroom that I didn’t want to be in.

“I’ll talk to you however I want.” I glared at her grabbing hold of my sleeve. “And if you don’t leave me alone, I’ll make you regret it.”

She narrowed her eyes. The dark brown in them swirled and glittered with desire, and I resisted the allure of turning her on. She wanted me, just the same as I lusted for her.

“Is that a threat?” She just didn’t know when to stop pushing.

I clenched my teeth, fighting the urge to snap and show her how close I was to losing control.

I was mad. Confused. Rootless and angry. From so many fronts. And faced with this teasing need to see if her bite was a bad as her bark, I bordered on wanting to strangle her or fuck her.

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