Page 108 of As the World Falls

“Perfect. The red one wasn’t nearly sexy enough.” She giggles and struts back into the downstairs bathroom, I’m assuming to change. I was hoping it was to change.

I look back at James, feeling a burning, hot, angry feeling inside me that was foreign to me. “Uhm, who was that, and why was she dressed…like that?”

His jaw tightens as he looks back at me. “She’s my date tomorrow night. I wanted to make sure she looked the part.”

“Oh,” I squeak. “She looked fancy.”

“It’s a ball.”

“A ball…that’s fun.”

“It’s work,” he gripes. “Speaking of, shouldn’t you be going? Marco will escort you out.”

I didn’t want to leave now. I wanted to stay and see what he and Miss Fancy Big Tit Dress were going to do when I left. Were they a thing? She was beautiful with her dark hair and equally dark eyes. She looked like she worked out, too. I wasn’t out of shape or anything, but I was definitely not that toned, that’s for sure.

I hated how threatened I felt over a pretty girl with a pretty body. That’s what he’s reduced me to. A jealous maniac hating on a woman who I’m sure is perfectly nice.

Oh god, what if they have sex when I leave? Would he do that? Just jump into bed with someone else because I wouldn’t be with him. I didn’t know, but I felt sick at the thought. I felt sick as he turned his back on me once again and headed upstairs, leaving me standing alone.

Was he going to wait up there for her?

Jealousy flames inside me as I think about him touching her in all the ways he’s touched me. No one has ever touched me the way he did. No man has ever made me orgasm before, let alone got me there in a matter of minutes.

The idea of him doing that to her made me want to throw up.

I let Marco take me to work today. I was going to drive myself, but after my morning, I couldn’t focus on anything other than wondering what James was doing this second.

I go through my work day in a haze, and to top it off, Lance called off right before he was supposed to come in. I didn’t blame him, though. I could understand why he was upset. But now that meant I had double the workload tonight. I guess I needed it, though. I needed to do something to keep my mind off my heart, which felt like it had been aching all day.

I finally get the library closed after a long night and walk outside, closing and locking the doors behind me. My eyes land on a small envelope taped to the door, my name written in gold font on the black envelope.

I pull it off the door and flip it over, seeing a fancy wax seal on the other side. I pull it open and pull out the sleek black invite, which shows the details of the New York City Annual Masquerade Ball.

Was this the ball James was going to? If so, why would I get an invite if he already planned on Marco taking me straight home while he was there?

Unless…he decided he wanted me to go. Could it have been him who left this for me? I wasn’t sure, but my chest swelled at the idea that maybe he was choosing me over the black dress girl. Even if I made it that we couldn’t be together, I still couldn’t stay away. He was an addiction I couldn’t beat.

I feel a presence behind me, and I spin around quickly, exhaling in relief when I see it's just Marco. “Are you ready to go, ma’am?” he asks as he approaches.

I hold the invite close to my chest. “Yup. Let’s go.”

He narrows his gaze at me. “Is everything all right?” His eyes fall suspiciously on the invite in my hand, and I quickly shove it into my purse.

“Yeah, just a flyer someone left on the door.” I walked down the stairs past him, headed to his car without another word, and got into the back seat.

When I returned home, the house was quiet, and upon inspection, I realized James wasn’t there. I guessed he was probably staying at his city apartment tonight, and the thought did nothing to ease my spiraling mind. Was he trying to put distance between us? Or was he out with that woman? Either way, I hated it even though I knew it was for the best.

I hear the refrigerator door shut, and I go downstairs to follow the noise. I spot Marco with a bottle of water leaning against the kitchen island. I observe him and then glance behind me through the house that leads to the back patio. “Can I ask you something?” I probe, looking back at him.

“You can, but I might not have an answer,” he replies gruffly.

I smirk, pressing my lips together. “You know who James really is, don’t you?” He doesn’t answer me. He glares and takes another drink of his water. I smile again. “I know you do. His security would have to be briefed on any potential threat, meaning you need all information about him.”

“Is that your question?” he asks.

I shake my head. “I want to know who that man was here last night.”

“What man?”

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