Page 173 of Scattered Glitter

“Koen told me she said she wasn’t your girl at all.” I catch the hint of a challenge in his eyes. “He thinks that it’s all wishful thinking on your part.”

“Yeah, Koen also thinks mustard on pasta is a good idea. I don’t exactly trust his judgment onanything.”

“I think it’s called a honey mustard vinai—” Alaric starts, but I cut him off.

“Let’s just agree it’s culinary blasphemy and move on.” I glance back at the woman who is definitelymygirl, catching her asshe laughs up at Harrington, seeming quite comfortable in his embrace. “Goddammit.”

“What is it?” Alaric asks in concern, and I focus back on the screen.

He’s concerned for her.

She’s got a way of wrapping all of us around her little finger, and it hits me that Alaric’s pining doesn’t stir up the same irritation as Harrington’s blatant interest does. Not even close.

“Don’t worry.” I wink at him, making him huff a laugh. “She’s fine. I’ll make sure of it.” But when I look back to where they were dancing a second ago, she’s gone.

Scanning the room, I spot Harrington standing alone beside the dance floor, looking a bit lost. My gaze skips over him and continues scanning the crowd, and my heart jumps as I catch sight of Sparkle weaving through people, heading toward the far side of the room, probably off to the restrooms.

“I’ve got to go,” I tell Alaric, already moving in her direction, then cut the call before he can ask questions.

I weave through groups of masked people chatting and sipping champagne. The music fades into the background as I slip into the corridor, catching sight of her as she disappears into the women’s restroom. I hesitate for only a second, then I push the door open and step inside after her.

She’s at the mirror, hands braced on the counter, her gaze fixed on her reflection. She doesn’t even look my way, probably assuming it’s just another woman walking in. I make a quick sweep, noting that all the stalls are empty, then stride back over to the door and lock it with a click.

That’s when the eyes behind her mask snap up in the mirror. Her lips part, her breath hitching. “Sylus…” she gasps, straightening, “… what are you doing here?”

I close the distance between us, then grip her waist andlift her onto the counter. “Reminding you who your person is,” I murmur, maybe a little too roughly. “And who made you scream last night.”

Her mouth opens, ready to argue, but I don’t give her the chance. I’m already pressing her back into the sink and claiming her mouth, having to do my best to hold back a cry of victory when she instantly melts under me.

I might as well tattoo it on her wrist—Property of Sylus.

Maybe I’ll let Koen and Alaric add their names underneath it, only much smaller.

I trail my lips along her jaw, down to her neck, where I nip and suck at her skin until her body starts to tremble.

“Sylus,” she murmurs, breath hot against my ear, a moan slipping out as I graze her collarbone with my teeth. “What… what is this about?”

“This?” I ask as I lick a path to her ear before whispering, “Just a little public service announcement.”

We can’t have her forgetting what side she’s on.

I slide my hand along the slit of her dress and up her thigh until I find my way between them, my fingers toying with the lace of her panties.

“Doeshemake you hot, Sparkle?” I ask, my voice laced with sarcasm as I run the pad of my thumb over her center.

I know she’s registered the meaning of my question the moment she jerks back, fire sparking in her eyes as her head snaps up.Good.

“This is about Nicholas?”

“I dunno, is it?” I raise an eyebrow. “Or are you finding excuses to bring him up? Are we pining over rich boys now?”

“Aren’t you a rich boy too?” she shoots back.

Meh. Semantics.

“Does he make you hot?” I repeat, watching her closely as I continue to run my fingers over her body.

“What if hedoes?” she bites back, all defiance.

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