Page 63 of Blades of Obsession

He takes my right hand in his. “You look…” He draws in a breath, then releases it slowly, his pupils dilating like a match about to strike. “Damn, words can’t even begin to describe howstunningyou look.” With his fingers still locked onto mine, he effortlessly twirls me in a circle.

I bite my lip to conceal a smile. I don’t think I’ll ever get used to his flood of compliments or the way he looks at me—like he wants to set me on fire just to watch me burn for him.

Then his voice darkens, dipping into a low, dangerous rumble. “But it’s not what I told you to wear, Amelia.”

“I know. I wore this so I wouldn’t stick out.” I gesture around the room, showing that everyone else is wearing red and green, except a few people.

“The whole pointissticking out, but sticking out with me. You see the details of my suit—pink. Meaning you were to put on pink, and everyone here would know from first glance that you’re with me and not bother you.”

I glance at what he’s wearing. I was so busy checking him out that I didn’t even notice he has on a pink tie and a little pink napkin in the suit pocket.

“She can wear this if she wants!” Of course, Frankie adds her two cents in. At least she’s sticking up for me.

Blade narrows his eyes at her for a few seconds before pulling out his phone and putting it on speaker. “Frankie’s here, and you would not believe what she’s doing with some other guy, Ash.”

“Liar!” Frankie yells before putting her glass down and running off. “Now I have to go hide!”

I hold back a laugh as Blade hangs up, but the amusement runs out when I’m back facing his cold expression—alone now, with no backup.

“Go change. I’ll be here when you get back.”

“Can I just keep this—”

“No.”

“But I—”

“No, Amelia.”

I’m a little taken aback by the way he growls my name. He drops my hand that he was holding and starts to walk away, expecting me to go change.

Well, he’ll be expecting for a long time, because I’m not changing.

I huff and plant my feet firmly on the ground, refusing to move an inch. I’ve come this far, might as well see it through, right? “No.”

He stops in his tracks, his boots scuffing against the floor as he turns back, eyes narrowing in on me. He nods and chuckles, almost to himself, before tilting his head. Damn his intimidating head tilt. “Not changing, huh?”

“Isn’t the necklace enough?” I ask.

“No, it’s not. Not with the elite here.”

What kind of explanation is that? Like I even know what an elite is, or how it works.

“If you don’t start moving in one second to go change, I’m going to move you myself.”

“I—”

I don’t even get a chance to finish before he grabs my arm and practically drags me out of the ballroom. A few guests take notice, their curious eyes following our movements. So much for not drawing attention to myself.

I didn’t expect him to do anything during the party. At the most, I expected some kind of reaction after we’d already gotten home. And maybe… I kind of wanted that reaction. But not right here, right now.

“You need to understand something, Amelia.” After the door to the guest room slams shut, he reaches into his slacks, and suddenly, the metal of his knife gleams in his grip.

Before I can process what’s happening, he turns me around, the sound of fabric tearing as he slices through the dress. A sharp gasp escapes my lips as the cool air hits my exposed skin. He pushes me forward, bending me over the bed, the heat of his body pressing against me. “You belong to me. So if I tell you to wear a certain color dress signifying that you’re mine, that’s what you’re going to do,” he rasps.

He puts the knife away, and I hear him unbuckling his belt. I gulp. But I don’t feel fear exactly, I feel… excitement? The good kind of rush. But also a little nervous.

The leather grazes along my skin as he lightly taps the belt against my ass. Seemingly on its own, my body jerks upright, a surge of adrenaline rushing through me. Only for him to immediately clamp his hand down on the back of my neck, forcefully shoving me back onto the bed.

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