Page 39 of Taking What's Mine

Is he… jealous? Or maybe just worried?

Either way, I feel the weight of his stare thrumming through me, heightening my awareness of Trey’s hands on my waist and Vera’s body swaying so close to mine. A flicker of heat lights inmy core, an electric surge that’s half performance, half genuine rush of adrenaline. Does he like watching me? Is he turned on seeing me like this?

I can’t deny that the thought excites me. There’s a part of me that wants to show him I can handle this world, that I can be just as daring as he’s asked me to be. So I let myself lean in a bit more. Vera slides a hand up my arm, and I feel Trey’s grip tighten slightly on my waist, pulling me back against his chest. My dress shifts, revealing a bit more thigh. The intimate press of two bodies sandwiches me in place, and my breath hitches.

Vera’s lips curve in approval, and she flicks her gaze over my shoulder to where Lincoln stands. “Your husband’s watching,” she murmurs, voice laced with amusement.

A tremor of excitement courses through me. “I know,” I whisper, resisting the urge to turn my head and look at him again. Instead, I focus on the sensation of the slow grind, the hush of silk and suit fabric, the pulse of the music that makes every movement feel almost hypnotic.

Trey’s voice is warm against my ear. “He doesn’t seem opposed.”

I laugh softly, though it comes out a bit breathless. “No, he’s not.”

The heat of their bodies is cataclysmic, the rhythmic press of hips and thighs a slow, sensual dance that has my heart thrashing in my chest. Part of me wants to break free and rush to Lincoln’s side—to bury my face in his shirt and pretend this never happened. But another part, the one that’s been exploring a daring new side of herself ever since we arrived here, finds the boldness of the moment exhilarating. I can practically tasteLincoln’s stare from across the room, and it’s like fuel to the fire licking at my edges.

Vera slips a hand down, brushing the fabric of my dress near my hip, almost like she’s testing how far she can go. My breath catches. The entire time, Trey’s body remains at my back, his hand steady on my waist, guiding the subtle shift of our movements.

I risk a glance at Lincoln. His arms remain folded, but he’s no longer leaning on the column; he’s standing straight, tension radiating from every line of his body. My gaze locks with his, and a jolt of pure electricity snaps between us. I see hunger in his eyes—raw and undisguised. And though guilt nudges at me for letting Trey and Vera get this close, a thrill I can’t deny flares in my belly. I like that Lincoln’s watching, that he’s seeing me test these waters. A question forms in my mind:Is he as turned on as I am?

Judging by the dark intensity in his stare, I’d say yes. The realization sends a shiver through me. The music slows even further, the beat throbbing like a pounding heartbeat through the speakers. Vera’s body shifts, and before I can process it, she loops her arm around my shoulders, pressing her cheek to mine in a friendly but charged gesture. It’s a move that’s both comforting and provocative, and it draws me deeper into the dance.

My entire body feels like it’s on fire. I can feel Trey’s chest rise and fall with his breathing, and Vera’s soft hair brushes my face. The lights overhead seem to swirl in my vision, or maybe that’s just the rush of blood in my head. Every muscle is taut with anticipation, half expecting one of them to take it a step further.

But I find myself leaning back slightly, letting Trey’s arm support me, all while my eyes remain locked on Lincoln. He hasn’t moved closer—hasn’t stepped in to interrupt—but I can tell he’s battling himself. His fists clench at his sides, his jaw is set, and he looks like he’s debating whether to yank me away or let this play out. The idea that he might intervene sends another spike of excitement through me. If he does, it would confirm just how possessive he can be when it comes to me.

Vera tilts her head, pressing her lips near my ear. “You okay?” she murmurs, her tone gentle despite the warmth of the moment.

I swallow, my mouth suddenly parched. “Yes,” I manage to say, my voice low. “Just… new to this.”

She gives a reassuring little smile. “You’re doing great.”

Trey’s chuckle rumbles against my back. “Definitely. Such a good girl.”

I catch my bottom lip between my teeth, trying to harness the swirl of emotions. The last thing I want is to lose my nerve in front of them—or in front of Lincoln. So I keep swaying, letting the music guide me, letting the sensation of multiple bodies press close. My heart is a drumbeat in my ears.

Finally, the song fades to a soft close, and the lull between tracks leaves my head spinning. Trey and Vera ease back a step. Vera’s grin is playful, eyes shining. “Well, that was fun,” she purrs. “We’ll have to see if your husband’s willing to share you a bit more next time.”

I bite down a shocked laugh, my cheeks ablaze. “We’ll see,” I say, trying to keep my tone flirty.

With that, they slip away, melting into the crowd in search of another couple, another dance, or maybe something more. I’m left standing there, heartbeat still pounding, sweat dewing at the nape of my neck. And then Lincoln’s there, crossing the floor in a handful of purposeful strides.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice tight with concern as he reaches me.

I nod, forcing an unsteady grin. “Yeah. Just… dancing. What did Dean say?”

His frown deepens a moment, but he takes a breath and drops his voice. “I convinced him we’re fine, that we’re just lying low. He doesn’t suspect a thing. How about you?” He glances around, spotting Trey and Vera chatting with another pair in the corner. “You looked pretty comfortable… or maybe uncomfortable?”

A wry smile tugs at my lips, my pulse still fluttering. “A little bit of both. I didn’t want to offend them, and I figured… you know, ‘play the part.’” I shrug, trying to downplay how rattled I feel. “Vera and Trey said they’re close to Morris, but I still don’t know how we’ll get more info if he’s not even here.”

Lincoln’s jaw clenches, but he slips an arm around my waist, pulling me close enough that my chest brushes his suit jacket. “We’ll figure it out,” he murmurs, and his gaze roams over me, the dark intensity still there. “You’re shaking.”

I let out a shaky laugh, realizing he’s right—my knees feel a bit wobbly, either from the dance or from the way he’s looking at me now, with equal parts protectiveness and desire. “It was… different,” I say, swallowing hard. “Having you watch was…”

He leans in, brushing his lips near my ear in a move that mimics what Vera did. But the effect is entirely different. My bodyclenches, a wave of longing surging through me. “I couldn’t keep my eyes off you,” he admits, voice nearly a growl. “Didn’t know whether to break it up or let you… explore.”

I exhale, tension rippling through my core. “I liked that you saw me.”

His dark gaze collides with mine. “Oh, I saw you, all right,” he murmurs, the rawness in his tone sending a spark down my spine. There’s a beat of silence where everything else in the club seems to fade, leaving only the hammering of my heart and the memory of his earlier hunger.

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