Page 26 of The Spare
As she holds it up in front of her, her hand trembles. "Wow," she breathes.
Grasping her chin with my fingers I turn her to face me. "The dress might be on loan, but the jewelry isn't. So when we're done having a good time, I'm going to take these home and put them in my safe. But they're yours whenever you want them. Okay?"
She nods, her eyes sliding back to her hand.
"It's beautiful, huh?" I chuckle. I can't wait until she sees her wedding ring.
She giggles, her gaze catching mine. "You know I'm a sucker for a good piece of jewelry, Mason. What can I do to repay you?"
I pause, not expecting her question. I clear my throat, stepping away from her and dragging common sense back into the game of mentalgymnastics that's currently taking place in my mind. "You know I love to spoil you when it comes to these things."
It's not a lie.
Two hours later we've mingled, ate, politely conversed with all the powerful people in New York, and have even shaken hands with a Prince. Melody looks weary, and I am ready to go. But we're caught in a horrendously boring conversation with a doctor who will not shut up about her art collection.
A young man comes up to Melody's side, tapping her gently on the arm and causing everyone at the table to quiet their conversation.
"Excuse me, miss." He smiles brightly at her. "But you caught my eye from across the room and I wondered if you might care to dance with me?" he asks, flicking his eyes across her face with true curiosity that has me clenching my fist on my thigh. If I didn't know any better, I'd think this was the look of first love.
My brow rises, and I cut my eyes at him in disgust.
He's about mid-twenties, dark chestnut hair, chiseled features, and full of so much charm it makes me nauseated. The cigarettes burn a hole in my pocket, as does my craving for stress relief. I smoke to help keep myself from wanting to fuck, but it's ability to stem those lustful thoughts are starting to wane, and I've noticed I can go through a tin in two days if I'm not careful.
My brother's request for me to lay low plays on a resounding loop in my head, and it's the only thing that's keeping me from leaping forward and punching him straight in his fucking too-bronzed face.
Melody's eyes flick to mine for a beat too long and then back to him again. "Sure, I'd love to."
I stiffen as he holds out his hand. Melody takes it, walking with him to the dance floor where he pulls her close, and they sway to some slow song. A muscle clenches in my jaw, and my mood sours.
The doctor leans forward, with a conspiratorial wink. "They look beautiful together, don't they? Whoever manages to bag her is going to be one lucky man." She sits back with a giggle and takes a sip of her wine. "As a matter of fact, I have a nephew that I'd love to introduce her to if they don't-
Nasty, hate filled energy swells inside me at her words, and she trails off at the stare I level her with. And I can only imagine what my face looks like because she purses her lips together, suddenly turning her attention to the couple next to her.
Fuck Hendrix's rules. I'll behave when I feel like it.
I stand up, weaving between tables and servers, striding to the dance floor. Melody's eyes are bright, and she's laughing quietly at something he's saying.
"Excuse me," I clip in a stern voice. "You can give me my date back now."
The man turns to look over his shoulder, as does Melody, who meets my eyes with a confused expression on her face. "The dance just started-" he says.
Arching a haughty brow, I raise my voice slightly. "Do I look like I give a fuck?" The man’s face flushes as he sputters like an idiot, and Melody blinks rapidly at my nasty tone, but it’s true. I honestly don't give a fuck. "I said I'd like my date back. Now.Unhand. Her."
His eyes widen, but he lets Melody go immediately, turning to face her and nodding his head. "It was a pleasure, Mel. I hope to see you around."
As soon as he's out of earshot she turns furious eyes to me. "That was embarrassing," she grits through her teeth. "Explain yourself."
"Sure. I'd love to." I reach forward and grab her wrist, pulling her along with me. "Come on, let's go take a breather and talk out on the terrace."
I take her hand and lead her across the room to the glass double doors and hold it open for her, jerking my head to let her go first. Her eyes meet mine as she steps over the threshold, and then turns her head as the wind blows, molding her dress tight to her legs and the perfect round globes of her ass.
My fingers itch to run my hands down them.
My cock jerks as I follow Melody into the night breeze, enchanted by the scent of her perfume and something deeper that's inherently her. I whip off my jacket and place it over her shoulders, leading her to the far corner of the terrace where a little lake sparkles in the moonlight off in the distance. Pelicans float on its surface.
A sort of serene calmness blankets the grounds below us in stark contrast to the tumultuous envy and longing that wars inside me for dominance.
I crowd her in the very corner. The parapet almost comes to her chest, highlighting how delicate and small she is. I step all the way to her, just shy of pressing my front to her back. She settles her hands on the concrete, nervously playing with her new ring. Content with the silence between us, I reach into the inner pocket of my jacket and pull out the small tin I store my hand rolled cigarettes in, tapping it roughly a few times.
