Page 59 of Sweet Wicked Vows

She tipped her head back and laughed at something the bartender said, revealing her slender exposed throat as he passed her another glass of red wine.

Olivier left shortly after their arrival. He didn’t try to convince me to join him. Rather, the grinning dick seemed to enjoy the tension rolling through my spine and the fraying lack of control I was having to stop myself from marching across the bar and claiming what was mine.

I perched myself at the edge of the booth, the darkness of the dimly lit bar keeping me hidden from her. She stayed engaged in conversation with the over-friendly bartender for nearly half an hour, smiling at whatever he had to say—what could be so utterly thrilling that he captivated her attention?

The bartender said something else that made her cheeks flush with more laughter.

What the fuck could be so funny?

I moved before I realized, green waves of jealousy tinging my actions as I approached her. Hand pressing into the small of her back, she instantly seized. A simple look to the bartender was enough to make him finally attend to the other patrons at the bar. “Bonsoir, ma douceur.”

Her pupils dilated. “Jaxon, what are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing.”

Her tongue rolled along her bottom lip, heavy eyes exploring mine. There was a longing brewing in those field-of-green. The alcohol must have been lowering her guard. “We wanted to come out. It’s been a long day.”

“Ah.” I chuckled, watching her scoot closer to me.Definitely alcohol fueling her actions.“How was your first day?”

“She kicked ass,” Lola interrupted. “That’s why I told her to come out. She has to celebrate being such a badass!”

Something like pride swelled in my chest.

Evelyn’s cheeks flamed pink. “I mean, I didn’t tank thecompany, but there is still time yet.”

“You should be proud of yourself.” Lola grinned.

“She’s right.” I smiled, which only grew when she beamed back at me. “The first day is always the hardest.”

Lola slammed the rest of her drink back. “Between dealing with stuffy investors all day who were clearly trying to undermine your ability, total dickheads, and having to deal with your walking dildo of an ex-fiancé, you nailed it, Evie.”

Her ex-fucking-what?

“Your ex-fiancé stopped by?” I tried and failed to reign in my lethal tone.

Evelyn refused to meet my gaze. “He dropped in this morning.”

“Ah.” I saw nothing but unforgiving red. “A scheduled appointment?”

“No, he caught me off guard.”

“I see. Stopping by to wish you congratulations, was he? Perhaps to give you a wedding gift?”

Her throat bobbed. “Something like that.”

“Don’t lie to me, Evelyn.”

The mere thought of another man being close to her, touching her, made the blood pumping through my veins turn acidic. Laurence broke things off with her. He had his fucking chance, and he blew it. Evelyn was mine now, and I didn’t take well to those trying to take what belonged to me.

“Tell me.”

A hint of defiance crossed her face. “It’s not important.”

“Another man who used to fuck my wife shows up out of the blue to talk to her. I’d say that is quite important.”

“I’m notreallyyour wife, Jaxon. Remember what you said? We’re just business at the end of the day. Now, if you’ll excuse me.” She stepped out of my touch. “I’m going to use the restroom.”

She walked away, the hem of her dress writhing along the curveof her ass. I followed her through the dark bar, arm snaking around her waist as I pulled her into the unmanned cloak room.

---