Page 33 of Pervade London
James was making a beeline toward us.
It was impossible not to be mesmerized by his sophistication. I wondered if he was a wealthy businessman needing Xander’s help with something tech related. I’d stepped into an interview, maybe? Or a business meeting?
At least Xander’s not cheating, so there’s that.
When he reached us, James’ light cologne stirred something taboo within me and I exhaled slowly to hide the heady effect it was having on my senses.
“I’m coming back,” Xander said, before his friend could speak. “One minute, that’s all I need.”
“Are you going to introduce us?” asked James.
Xander gestured towards me. “She’s leaving.”
James arched a brow.
No, he wasn’t going to get away with pretending I was nothing to him and my glare told him that. Not when I was wearing his diamond engagement ring and certainly not when I was living with him.
“James, give us a second,” Xander said.
“Only wish I could.”
“Don’t do this.” Xander was seething.
“Disobedience is answered harshly,” he replied with a drop-dead gorgeous smile.
My breath hitched and the axis beneath my feet tilted as I reached out to the wall to steady myself. It was the booze, along with the effect this mysterious stranger was having on my fiancé that had me feeling off kilter.
Xander caught my arm. “You okay?”
I nodded, but my lingering stare warned him that I didn’t like his friend one bit—even if my body disagreed. In my alcohol-fueled haze, I wondered how this man’s kiss would feel and if his lips would leave a bruise.
He looked like he’d take a woman roughly, in contradiction to his suaveness. My imagination went one further and played out the scenario of him peeling off that expensive suit so his ripped body could get skin to skin with the woman he’d seduced into his bed.
Oh, God.
And I was worried that Xander was cheating!
“I’m James Ballad.” He held out a well-manicured hand in greeting.
Reaching out, I accepted his handshake. He held my hand for a beat too long; his touch sending tingles up my forearm.My soft flush rose at the way he fixed his masterful stare on me. The way his fingers swept over my palm as he let go caused my breath to catch in my throat.
“And you are Emily, right?” he finally said.
“Yes.”
“The one you gave it all up for,” James added, sending a glance Xander’s way. His focus returned to my face. “Have you set a wedding date yet?”
“No,” I replied.
Xander had gone pale. “She’s leaving.”
James looked at him. “So soon?”
“My friends are at the bar,” I explained.
James smiled. “It’s Kitty’s birthday, right?”
Had I told him that?
