Page 63 of Vow to Hate You

Shifting on the stool, I turned until I was facing Grant, who was distracted by his phone. I crossed one leg over the other, causing my dress to ride up my thighs. His eyes cut to my bare legs as he hastily slid his phone back into his suit jacket pocket.

“Where do you work, Grant?” I asked, giving him my full attention.

His eyebrows rose in surprise, but he quickly composed himself, leaning even closer before answering. “I own my own company.”

“Impressive.” I sipped my drink. “So does my husband.”

He faltered for a moment, and I stared at him, waiting to see what he was going to do. His confident grin returned when he cocked his head.

“What kind of husband lets his stunning wife eat dinner alone?” he questioned in a low voice. “Doesn’t sound like he’s satisfying you.”

I giggled. “He tries.”

My pulse thudded, unaware if Damian could hear our conversation or not. I could only imagine how furious he was while watching this, but I didn’t dare look his way. Grant scooted the stool until his knees were brushing mine. I nearly backed away from his unwanted touch, but the defiance running through my veins had me staying still.

“I can satisfy you.” His words came out dirty like he intended, and I barely refrained from rolling my eyes, only further proving I wanted nothing to do with him.

“Can you?” I questioned, smiling at him.

His fingers wrapped around my wrist and dragged my hand away from my drink. My eyes cut to his when his hold tightened.

“Do you not care that I’m married?” I asked bluntly.

“Do you?” he tossed back. “You aren’t running away from me. Don’t worry, I know how to keep a secret. Your husband will never find out.”

Footsteps from behind me had my heart lurching, and Grant’s gaze flicked over my shoulder, a small frown forming on his lips until recognition flared. He released my wrist before hastily getting to his feet.

“Mr. Valentin. We’ve exchanged some emails, but it’s great to meet you in person.”

His greeting cemented the fact that my husband was standing behind me. I swallowed thickly, a shiver running down my spine as I stayed sitting, facing Grant. Damian hadn’t even spoken yet, but I could feel his burning stare on the back of my head. I might have made a mistake doing this right after he already thought I was sneaking around when I was playing music at the club.

“Do I know you?” Damian was using his pleasant business voice, but I didn’t miss the cold edge.

“Grant Hammond,” he replied, sticking out his hand. “I…uh, own Hammond Security.”

He awkwardly lowered his hand when Damian didn’t shake it. My heart hammered against my ribs when Damian’s chest brushed against my back.

“And who is this? Your wife?”

Damian’s question had me biting my tongue as Grant’s eyes narrowed slightly at my husband’s proximity to me.

“No,” Grant answered smoothly. “My date. Our first, actually.”

Oh, shit.

I wasn’t sure if Grant could feel the thick tension in the air, but I could barely suck in a breath. I was all for messing with my husband, but doing it in public? I might have gone too far. Damian’s hand landed on my shoulder, his fingers squeezing me tight enough to promise I was in trouble for this stunt.

“Really?” Damian murmured, danger lurking in his voice. “Because the diamond on her finger insinuates she’s already spoken for.”

I had to give Grant credit—he was smart. The second Damian spoke, his face paled, his eyes darting to me before looking back at my husband. My heart thumped painfully in my chest when Damian brushed my hair off my neck, trailing his fingers down the side of my throat.

“I appreciate you keeping mywifecompany until I arrived. You can go now.”

His cold dismissal had a muscle in Grant’s jaw flexing. His arrogance wasn’t letting him walk away, yet he must really want my husband’s business because he forced a small smile, pulling out his wallet, sliding out a business card.

“I’d love to set a meeting,” he said. “I believe we could be mutually beneficial.”

“You’re mistaking my politeness for me wanting to have anything to do with you,” Damian said, his voice growing harsher with each word. “Let me clarify—you touched my wife. I don’t give a fuck how much your business would help me. This will be the only conversation we’ll ever have.”

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