Page 26 of The Unplanned Wedding

9

Knox

"Is she now?" Connor’s smirk widens. The asshole thinks this is one big joke.

"I mean she is my employee," I growl.

He continues to grin, but steps back. Then half bows to both of us. "A pleasure, milady."

"Fuck off," I snap.

"Very eloquent, big bro, but this once, I’ll do as you ask, and only because we’re in such beautiful company." He winks at my assistant.

What the—!Before I can hurl some choice abuse at him, he turns and glides off. I take his place and hold out my hand.

She hesitates, but when I glare at her, she tightens her mouth then slides her fingers over mine. A tiny shudder grips her. It’s strangely satisfying, knowing she’s so affected by my presence. And when I pull her after me as I make my way off the dance floor, she protests. "Where are we going?"

I don’t answer, continuing to lead her around the dancing couples,then weaving my way through the other guests. The men follow her progress with keen interest. I shield her as best I can from them, glowering at a few in my path until they look away.What the fuck? Why did I feel the need to stalk over and shove Connor away from her? Why do I want to gouge out the eyes of every fool here who’s watching her progress?My behavior is inexplicable. My possessiveness is unfathomable. I spanked her for letting another man touch her. And now, I want to whisk her away from here and hide her where no one can see her. It was wrong to buy her this dress which fits her like a glove and embellishes her assets.

I'm going to ensure I buy the rest of her wardrobe and it’ll be more modest.

"Knox… I mean, Mr. Davenport, why are you so angry?" She has to run to keep up, but the ground is even, and I know she can navigate it, so I don’t let up until we’re through the back door of the grand ballroom. I stalk down the long corridor and past the few other rooms that seem to be occupied. I keep going until the last door at the end of the hallway. It’s closed, and when I shoulder it open, I find we’re in a private study.

I doubt wedding guests are allowed in here, but what-fucking-ever. The Davenport name is meant to "open doors" on occasions like this, after all. We may not be as rich as the Royal Family, but Arthur is known to have a direct line to the King of England which can be used to smooth over any issues that might arise if we’re discovered here.

There are bookcases filled with books stacked against the wall on the right. On the left is a lit fireplace; and in front of it is a rug on which there’s a leather settee with an armchair next to it. Taking center stage before a casement window is a large wooden desk facing the door, a chair tucked behind it. On the desk is a tray with a jug of water and an upside-down glass. Most importantly, the room is empty.

I step in and gesture for her to enter, then shut the door after her. She takes a couple of steps forward, then her gaze darts around the room, before coming back to me.

"Why… Why did you bring me here?" she stutters.

"Why do you think?"

She locks her fingers together. "I, uh, was only talking to Connor. It was innocent."

"If I suspected otherwise, I’d have buried my fist in his face"—notcaring that he's a sibling—"for messing with what’s mine…" I firm my lips. "I mean,my employee."

She wraps her arms about herself, then heads toward the fire and stares into it. For a few seconds, there’s silence, then she says in a low voice, "You confuse me."

I drag my fingers through my hair. "I confuse myself when it comes to you." I’m surprised at hearing the words come out of my mouth.

So is she, for she turns to look at me over her shoulder. "Didn’t expect to hear you say that."

Neither did I.I walk over to the armchair and drop into it.

"You say you’re attracted to me, yet you flirt with someone else?” I give her a considering look. “Something you should be punished for.”

She spins around with an incredulous expression on her features. "Flirting? I was being civil to him; that’s hardlyflirting.”

But I saw the admiring glint in his eyes, and damn, if that didn’t make me jealous. Something I can’t understand. It makes me uncomfortable to feel this way, which is why I’m going to punish you. Yeah, that makes no sense, but it makes me feel better. Not that I say any of that aloud.

“May I point out that you were the one who asked Jeeves to show me around?” She stabs a finger in my direction. “You were supposed to take me along on your networking meetings. Instead, you abandoned me."

Fuck, she’s right.And I walked away from her, wanting to put distance between us. But I wasn’t able to stay away. I barely had a drink at the bar. My mind was on her. So, I finally gave in and headed to the ballroom, where I noticed how every man in her vicinity was ogling her. Worse, she was animatedly talking to my brother. And jealousy reared up and had me stomping over to her before I could stop myself. She's messing with my equilibrium, and I need to find a way to get back in control. I'm in charge here, and it’s time I remind her.

“Did you miss me?” I incline my head.

She huffs but doesn’t deny it. I scan her features, take in the hurt expression on her face, and my heart—goddamn it—melts a little more.

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