Page 53 of Covenant

“Put them back,” Matthias growls.

“What?” Dalton says innocently.

“Put the cufflinks back.”

Dalton huffs, but a moment later, the cufflinks appear in his palms and my lips part in confusion. I glance back at Matthias’s cuffs to see they’re missing. How did Dalton do that? I only looked away a moment.

“And his wallet,” Matthias grumbles.

Dalton sighs and produces it, placing it in my hand. “Matthias is no fun. He’s always riding my ass.”

“I’m not riding anyone. I’m just astute and I know what a cunt you are.”

Dalton pouts. “Ugh. You’re so boring. You should have your brother’s back. Let me live my life.”

“Have your back while you steal from my husband?”

He rolls his eyes. “I wouldn’t have taken it for long. Just a while. To ponder it and maybe steal some cash.”

I can’t help but interject. “You’re rich and yet you steal?”

Dalton grins widely and then wrinkles his nose at me. “I mean, I have some vices. Theft is one of them.”

“So is drinking, drugs, and the occasional crime spree,” Matthias adds darkly.

Dalton waggles his eyebrows. “Someone needs to keep you on your toes. You’re far too boring.”

“I’m responsible.”

“Boring.” Dalton rolls his eyes before turning his focus to me. “If you ever need a little fun in your life, call me.”

I take the business card he holds out with a smile. Petty theft aside, Dalton seems interesting.

“You won’t be needing that,” Matthias says, trying to snatch it from me, but I tuck it away.

“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Dalton grins widely, leaning forward slightly. “I look forward to it.”

Matthias’s fingers curl into my side. “Come on. Let’s go mingle before Dalton ends up stripping you bare.”

I flush as he guides me, moving me around several people until we come to a stop near an empty table. He sure likes to touch me. To let everyone know I’m his, I’m sure. If his intention is to make sure everyone knows he’s off the market, he’s certainly succeeding.

“Is this mingling?” I ask, and Matthias turns toward me, pulling my body into his. My hands move up as if to push away but then I remember where we are and I glide them up his hard chest. I feel his heart beating beneath my palm and I force myself to look at him. There are flecks of green in his brown eyes. Flecks I forgot he had.

“What are you doing?” I say, making sure my face doesn’t show the annoyance in my tone.

“Acting like you’re mine.”

Acting.From the possessive way he all but pissed on me with his brothers, I’m not sure if he’s being honest.

“Acting. Remember that,” I say pointedly. My hands drift up his neck, my fingertips sliding into his hair. “This is all a show. Nothing more.”

“And yet, you’re a natural.”

I push forward, taunting him with what he can’t have. This is the closest either of us will get to intimacy until this marriage is over, and I’m going to take every opportunity to remind him of it. Of what he’s demanding we both give up. Hints of what he’s missing but will never get from me.

“I don’t like to lose.” My fingers curl against his scalp. He lets out a small breath and I home in on the way his eyes flicker, the way his pupils dilate.

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