Page 40 of Castle

“The one and only,”

I couldn’t hide my amusement. “I met your grandparents earlier, and they were talking about you, but never mentioned your name. That’s why I didn’t know who you were.”

“I bet they tried to set you up with me.” Jett said jokingly, “I wouldn’t have any problems if they had.”

Jett was a flirt. A big one. He was the type of guy who was charming and hard to turn down.

“Not really. They knew I came with Castle.”

Just then, I felt a little nudge on my back. “Millie…”

Jett’s expressions were unreadable as he stared behind me. Castle was standing by my side, brushing his fingers lightly over my elbow. “Castle, what is it?”

Castle glowered at Jett silently, but that quickly faded as he turned to focus on me. “I want to leave.”

“But we just came to the party,” I said, squeezing his hand.

The way Castle seemed upset, something seemed wrong. I leaned in a bit and could get a whiff of liquor on him. Was he drinking alcohol all this time?

“My head…my head feels woozy.” He complained, rubbing his head harshly and his breathing turned heavy.

“Are you feeling ill?”

He ran his hand through his hair, “Millie…let’s go.”

I looked at Jett. “If you’ll excuse me, Mr. Beckett. It was nice meeting you.”

Before he would answer, Castle’s grip over my arm turned ironclad as he dragged me out of the ballroom.

SIXTEEN

We exited the ballroom together;Castle’s hand was clasped in mine, our fingers entwined. We passed the hallway that led to the ballroom and before we could enter a room, Castle rounded the corner suddenly and pulled me against him.

I gasped as his hands, which were splayed on my waist in a possessive grip, tightened his hold over my body. His touch ignited an inexplicable fire inside me.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

He didn’t listen to me; his lips attacked my cheek and trailed a path down my jaw and my neck as his teeth grazed the sensitive skin softly. The slight bristles over his cheek brushed my skin, making my knees grow weaker. I had to hold on to his shoulders for a better grip, and it was a good thing the high heels were giving me a good advantage here.

He smelled of some expensive whiskey or brandy or some other drink, the scent of it mixed with his signature cologne that reminded me of spice and wood.

He was drunk.

“Castle...” I said, trying to untangle his body from mine for fear of getting caught. “Someone can come here.”

He wouldn’t listen to me. Instead, his fingers dug into my hair as he tilted my face to claim my mouth in a hot, searing kiss.

He kissed me like he was dining on one of the finest delicacies he’d ever have.

And I loved it.

To be showered by so much attention, even if Castle was using me for his pleasures, I couldn’t say that I hated it. It was wrong on so many levels to fall for a man that belonged to the family that was keeping me captive and it had more to do with the previous lack of genuine attention that I’d received.

He and I were almost similar.

He was bound by his twisted family, forced to do what they asked, and I wasn’t any different.

I was hungry for this connection. To be wanted with such passion...

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