Page 60 of Reckless King

“Oh, uh…” I’m still disoriented from the moment we shared before Aaron interrupted, so it takes me several seconds to formulate a response. “Do you want to leave, or…?”

He ghosts his fingers down my arm, leaving sparks in his wake. “I’m not sure I’m done with you yet.”

My heart accelerates again, pounding out a staccato rhythm against my breastbone. “If you’re not going to be long, I’ll just stay here.”

He nods and half turns so he can address the bartender. “Another Cosmo for the lady, please.” He leans closer, filling the space around me with his scent as his jaw brushes my cheek. “I’ll be back, butterfly.”

The bartender pours the drink in front of me, and when he slides it across the bar, I smile my thanks and pick it up. As I take a slow sip, I survey the crowded bar. Halfway through, I unintentionally catch the eye of the man who was just talking to Tate. I look away quickly, but a moment later, he’s back at my side, as if taking that second of eye contact as an invitation to chat.

“Tate gone to find out if I’m telling the truth?” he asks, flashing me an obnoxious smirk.

I shift uncomfortably and play dumb. “I’m not sure what he’s doing. But he said he’ll be back soon.”

“You know.” He licks his already wet lips in a way that sends a tendril of disgust through me. “I’ve always admired Tate’s taste in women. And you’re no exception, beautiful.” He presses forward as he says it, and I step back, avoiding contact. Clutching my drink close to my chest, I scan our surroundings in hopes that Tate is on his way back, suddenly wishing I’d gone with him instead of staying here on my own.

Aaron edges even closer, his breath hot on my skin. “I may not be a billionaire,” he says, that last word almost a sneer, “but I bet my dick can give you just as good a ride as his. When he’s done with you, why don’t you take it for a test drive?” He clamps a hand down on my waist and squeezes.

I leap away from him with a shudder. “Don’t touch me!”

His eyes go wide then, and he takes a step back.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

TATE

Ifinish the call to Roman after giving him the information Aaron just foolishly boasted about. Several of Paladine Construction’s investors have been wary of a takeover. Now that we know it’s happened, Roman will want to get on the phone to them ASAP. See if they want to invest in a larger and more stable option instead.

Before I make my way back to Violet, I take a moment to clear my head. I let myself get too carried away with her tonight. With her soft body pressed against mine and her peaches and cream scent filling my senses, it’s been too easy to forget what this is and what I promised Mark—that I’d take care of his sister. I’m pretty sure taking care of her doesn’t include offering to make her come again.

I’ll go back, we’ll have one more drink, and then I’ll take her home.

I’m returning through the crowd to the bar when that thought flies out of my head. That asshole Aaron is back at the spot where I left Violet.

I don’t like the slimy expression on his face, but the trepidation and disgust on hers have me speeding up and shouldering people out of the way.

A heartbeat before I make it to them, Violet jumps back, holding her drink in front of her with both hands, as if it will shield her from that piece of shit.

Anger blazes through me. In two strides, I’m there. “Get your hands off her,” I bark.

His eyes go wide, but he quickly tries to hide his shock by laughing. “Come on, Tate. No need to be greedy. We both know she’ll be warming someone else’s bed tomorrow. It might as well be mine.” He leers at her again, his tongue slicking out to wet his lips. “Maybe we could tag team her.”

When he reaches out as if to touch her again, that protective urge I felt before rips through me. He thinks he has a right to lay a hand on her? That I’ll give her up tomorrow and he can make a move? He’s wrong, and I’ll make sure he gets that through his head.

I grip his wrist so hard he lets out a pained grunt. “Touch her again, and I’ll break your arm.” I let him go with a shove that sends him stumbling back.

He cradles his wrist, eyes wide, then lets out an incredulous laugh. “You can’t be serious. I know you, Tate. Everyone knows you. There’s no way she’s more than a one-night good time?—”

I take a step closer, fisting my hands at my sides. Red washes my vision, and the need to make it clear Violet is off-limits pummels me. “Keep a civil tongue in your mouth when you’re talking about my future wife.”

Aaron’s jaw goes slack, and his beady eyes dart between Violet and me. “Your futurewife?”

Violet clutches at the back of my shirt. “Tate, what are you doing?” she hisses. Her voice is just loud enough for me to hear over the music.

I hook my arm around her waist and pull her to my side. The truth is, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m operating on sheer instinct. And what my instinct is telling me is that I broughtViolet into this. Now I need to protect her, and this is the best way. “I don’t plan to let her go.” The words are for Aaron, but I’m looking at Violet.

Her lips part, and her eyes go wide.

Come on, butterfly. Just go along with it.

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