Page 25 of Shattered

“Nice to meet you, Cameron.I’m Sara.”Still holding my palm in his, he raised it to his lips and placed a gentle kiss upon my soft skin.As he was releasing my hand, Alek appeared behind him, placing a firm grip on the man’s neck.But Cameron didn’t flinch, probably because he expected his cousin’s reaction.

“Don’t even think about it, Cameron.She’s with me, so keep your hands, and eyes, off her.”His smile was deceptive, appearing as if he was happy to see his relative, but the venom in his voice told a different story. There was simply no mistaking his warning.

“Wouldn’t even think about it, cousin. Just being friendly.”Cameron focused on me again before he made his retreat.“It was a pleasure to meet you, Sara.Until next time.”The comment garnered a snarl from Alek.Again, not really a shocker.Although, I would’ve thought he’d act differently around his family.

“Nice to meet you, as well, Cameron,” I said as he walked away.

Alek kept his eye on the man until he was sure he was no longer within hearing range.When he turned to look back at me, he seemed annoyed.

“What is the matter with you?” I asked.“Why were you so rude to him?”

“Just because we’re blood doesn’t mean anything, Sara.I don’t trust him as far as I can throw him.Please, do me a favor and steer clear of him for the rest of the night.”The more he spoke, the more angry he was becoming, and I had no idea why.“He’ll go out of his way to get to you, especially now he knows you’re with me.”

“Don’t you think you’re making too much of this?All he was doing was making small talk.”I knew instantly he was going to answer me, a twinge of anger sure to weave its way into his reply.

“No, I’m not overreacting at all.He wasn’t simply ‘making small talk’ with you.He was feeling you out, to see how far he could push you.Thank God I came over when I did.”

Okay.I had no idea what his issue was with Cameron, but I sure as hell wasn’t going to be caught in the middle of it.I didn’t see anything wrong with having a conversation with someone, especially since everyone else had ignored me so far.He was making me feel guilty for no reason at all.

“Oh, yeah, Alek.Thank the heavens above you arrived when you did.If he was here any longer, he might have been able to convince me to take my clothes off, right here in front of everyone.”I was not going to curtail my annoyance with him.Not at all.

“You’re not funny.Not one bit,” he snapped.His reaction continued to surprise me, even though I knew I was pushing him toward it.His fists were clenched at his sides and he was trying his best to calm down.Doing a good job of appearing unaffected, I knew he was anything but.His face may not have shown any signs of distress, but if anyone paid any attention at all to his body language, they could clearly see he was pissed off.

Since I didn’t want to argue with him and ruin our evening, I sucked it up and apologized.Something which was hard to do because I didn’t really think I was in the wrong.But I knew he was protective over me when it came to other men, so I should have known Cameron wouldn’t be any different, family or not.

“Let’s not argue about something which isn’t even worth discussing.”I reached up and grabbed his arm, pulling him to sit down next to me.If I knew anything about the spectacular, mercurial man, it was how to change his mood.He took my offering and sat in the chair to my right.Once seated, he moved his chair closer, his leg brushing against my thigh.Even through the material which separated us, a familiar chill rack my body.He did it to me every single time.

Sensing my reaction, he leaned closer and whispered in my ear, “The look on your face is enough to make me want to hike up your dress and do delicious things to you with my hand.”He kissed the shell of my ear.“Would you like that?Would you enjoy my fingers teasing you until you came?”His breath tickled my skin.“Do you want me to make you come in front of everyone here, Sara?”

Where the hell is this coming from?Not two minutes ago he was pissed off and ready to fight his cousin.

He was so damn confusing.

“Behave yourself, Alek,” I warned as my nervous fingers played with the decadent gems around my throat.There was genuine consternation in my voice when I addressed him.He wouldn’t think twice about following through on his ideas, teasing me unmercifully under the table.

He smiled as his hand disappeared under the tablecloth, hidden from everyone’s view.I thought he might have been bluffing until the heat from his hand tickled the top of my thigh.He wasn’t looking at me, though.He was engaged in a brief bout of small talk with a gentleman who was sitting opposite us.Every time he made the man chuckle with his wit, the higher his hand would move, closer and closer to my core.Starting to feel a little woozy, I was caught between wanting him to continue and wanting him to curb his teasing.I didn’t fully trust myself.But since I didn’t know which path to choose, I did nothing, continuing to allow him to set my body on fire.

“I love putting that look on your face, baby,” he whispered in my ear again.“But I better stop before there’s no going back.”He removed his hand from under the table and placed it on his drink.

How the hell am I supposed to concentrate on anything now?

~11~

Alek

After a wonderful dinner, which consisted of way too many rich and decadent foods, I was asked to come up and say a few words to everyone about the night’s charity cause.I had my speech all prepared, although with what almost happened with Sara, I needed some time to compose myself.My cock was painfully hard, so much so I didn’t stand up right away, willing myself to soften before advancing toward the stage.With the woman sitting next to me, it was almost impossible, but after some time, I was ready.

What the hell was I thinking?I would never really make her come in a room full of people.Her pleasure was for me and me alone.There was no way I would ever allow another man to watch her as she came with my fingers buried deep inside her.

After I rose from the table, I leaned down and gave Sara a quick kiss.Reaching into my pocket, I extracted a piece of paper as I walked toward the stage.

Once situated, I dove right in.“Good evening, everyone.First, let me start off by saying thank you to each and every one of you for coming this evening.Your presence here tonight tells me you support a cause which is dear to my heart.I can’t tell you how much your generosity will help those in need of assistance, with those requiring somewhere to go to escape domestic violence.Also for those wishing to just reach out and speak to someone, to ask for guidance, to help fulfill the dream of living in a safe environment.

“We’ve raised a total of eight hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars tonight.All of the money will go toward a new shelter which is being set up for victims of abuse.Because of all of you, many women and children will have a place to rest their heads, and to be enveloped in a sense of safety.We’ll have counselors in-house to help them figure out their next move, a decision which will help them achieve the life they deserve, free from violence and abuse.So thank you again from the bottom of my heart, and please enjoy the rest of your evening.”

A thunderous round of applause erupted across the room.I knew it was more for show, but I didn’t care.People respected me, and I would take full advantage in order to raise money for the cause.Sure, I could afford to build the shelter myself, had done so many times before, but I wanted others to contribute.I knew everyone in attendance, and it was time they put some of their money to good use.

Once I reached our table, Sara grabbed for my hand and pulled me to sit down next to her again.“Alek, you were great.I can’t believe you were able to raise so much money, though.In one single night!How remarkable.”She looked astounded, and it was so endearing.

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