Page 130 of Guarded King

“Have you been taking charm lessons from Tate?” Violet asks, narrowing her eyes in faux suspicion. “Because that was smooth.”

My lips quirk. “Believe it or not, I am capable of being charming on the odd occasion.”

Beside me, Chloe makes an almost inaudible noise in the back of her throat, which I take as a sign of agreement. It makes me want to smile. It makes me want to pull her close and kiss her.

It makes me want more than I know what to do with.

And I can’t do any of it. Not yet anyway.

“Roman!”

At the sound of my name, I turn away from the temptation Chloe represents.

Sean Prescott is striding toward me, wearing a grin. I shake his hand, then introduce him to the group of women.

“Of course, I remember your lovely assistant,” he says when his eyes land on Chloe.

His words are polite, but they make me bristle, nonetheless.

“Mr. Prescott, it’s nice to see you again.” She smiles easily.

It’s the same smile she gave me. The pretty but polite one, not the one I’ve come to crave. It grates on me, that here, in public, I’m relegated to the same status as this man.

“Have you just arrived?” I ask. “Let’s get you a drink. If you’ll excuse us, ladies.”

I catch Chloe’s gaze as I steer Sean away from them. The vulnerability swimming there pierces my ribs with sharp claws. This pretense isn’t easy, for either of us, even if it’s necessary. Guilt weighs heavily on me. She’s in this situation because of my life—because of my family, the company, and the endless pressure and expectations tied to it all.

After Sean and I grab a whiskey and discuss our current project, along with others that might be in the pipeline, I move on, doing the rounds, still keeping an eye on the woman who takes up far too much space in my mind. Dinner will be served soon, and, unfortunately, I couldn’t think of a good reason to sit my assistant at the family table.

I let out a harsh breath. I only have to make it through a few more hours before she’s all mine for the night. The tension pulling at the back of my neck has only just begun to ease when I catch sight of David. He’s approaching her and Sophie with a too-broad grin on his face. Fuck.

Chloe smiles up at him, the look a genuine one, not the professional one she gave me.

Possessiveness rips through me.

It’s not rational. She’s not flirting with him, even if he’s obviously flirting with her. It’s not David’s fault, since he doesn’t know she’s mine.

Yet all rational thought has gone out the window when it comes to Chloe.

I turn away from the crowd and slide my phone from my pocket.

I need to discuss something with you immediately. Go down the hallway to the restrooms, but take a left before you get there. Wait for me around the corner.

A moment after I hit send, she reaches into her clutch, still talking to David, and pulls out her phone. She glances down at the device, and a moment later, her head snaps up and her eyes lock with mine.

When I tilt my chin, she bites her lip, then slips her phone back into her bag. She smiles sweetly at Sophie and David, chats for only a second longer, then moves into the crowd.

I give it three minutes, then I follow her.

When I round the corner and see her waiting for me, I don’t hesitate. The alcove where the elevators are located is out of sight from any of the public areas, so without hesitation, I cage her against the wall and crush my mouth to hers.

Her lips part on a gasp, and I take the opportunity to stroke my tongue into her mouth. I demand her submission, and she gives it to me willingly, kissing me back as if it’s the only thing that’s been on her mind all night.

Hard and aching, I press myself against her soft stomach. Fuck. I need so much more from her than this.

I break the kiss and punch the up button on the elevator. The moment it opens, I pull her in.

“Where are we going?” she asks, her mouth swollen and her voice breathy.

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