Page 53 of Reveal Me
I opened up to Layla, revealed parts of myself I’ve never revealed to anyone, I kissed her mouth for fuck’s sake, and here she is, hanging off another man’s arm. A man, who I know for a fact, gets through more secretaries than cups of coffee. The man is a walking sleaze. But that’s only part of the reason it’s killing me seeing them together. The other part, well, that’s the part of me that wants to beat his chest like a caveman and shout ‘she’s mine’ at the top of my lungs. But she isn’t mine. Not really. And she never will be.
To make matters worse, she looks positively fucking edible in a sapphire dress that showcases every single one of her curves. She looks every bit the princess that she is–utterly stunning—and utterly untouchable. But Caspian Ashworth didn’t get that memo. He’s parading her around like the latest car in his collection. Pawing at her like she’s a prize pet, not a woman.
It’s impossible to tear my eyes from her. The second I saw her, I spotted the rigidness to her posture, the tension liningher shoulders, and the way her lips are pursed into a tight line. Ashworth strokes the back of her hand and she flinches.
Either he’s more stupid than he looks, or he’s simply ignoring her body’s cues. What the fuck is she doing here with him anyway? She’s supposed to be on house arrest by all accounts.
I come to an abrupt stop in front of them. The princess’s jaw drops. Her eyes are wild with panic, like I’m about to make a scene. I’m not. I just need to make sure she’s okay, because every fibre in my body is screaming at me that she’s anything but okay.
‘Take your hands off her.’ The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
‘Excuse me?’ Caspian’s green eyes glare at me.
‘I said take your hands off the princess.’ My voice is low and controlled but inside I’m seething. ‘Before I remove them—from your body as well as hers.’
‘Sean.’ Layla steps forward and rests her fingers on my chest, shrugging off Caspian in the process. The second she touches me, the relief is instant, for both of us, if the slackening in her shoulders is anything to go on.
‘Princess?’ Caspian’s curious gaze flits between us.
‘Mr Beckett is a friend of mine,’ she offers her date a cool smile. There’s a silent warning in her eyes.
‘A very close friend.’ I snap. A growl rumbles in the back of my throat. ‘And you’re parading her around like she’s a prize possession. Where are your manners, Ashworth?’
His face falters for a split second, but he recovers quickly. ‘It’s Lord Ashworth actually,MrBeckett.’
Subtext… I’m above you.
‘It’s not a dick measuring contest,’ I hiss. My glare is sharp enough to make him take a step back. ‘But if it was, trust me, I’d win.’ I turn my attention to the princess.
The urge to claim her claws at me. I’ve had years ofpractice wearing this mask of politeness, but tonight is my biggest test yet. Everything about this situation feels wrong. Her being here with him. His hands on her. Us hiding the thing that’s been growing between us for weeks. But it’s what I signed up for. It’s me who insists on restricting activities to Reveal.
Because blurring lines is how people get hurt, but here I am, blurring them anyway.
‘Allow me to get you a drink seeing as your date clearly forgot you’re a person, as well as a princess.’
‘That would be lovely.’ Her shoulders relax a fraction more.
‘The usual?’ I arch an eyebrow. Lord fucking Limp Dick’s head whips up.
I never said I’d play fair.
‘Yes, please.’ A small smile touches her lips.
‘I’m borrowing the princess.’ It’s not a request. ‘She prefers my family’s range to the shit they’re serving here.’ I motion to the bar at the far end of the ballroom. ‘There’s a crate of Beckett’s Black Label in the back bar. It was donated for the toasts, but no one will mind if I open one early.’
Caspian Ashworth’s jaw locks as he watches me guide her across the room. I give him a sarcastic wave over my shoulder then guide her toward the small private bar room, replacing his hand for mine on the small of her back. Even that minimal contact sends electricity through me.
Of all the women in the world, why am I obsessed with the one I can’t have?
It’s fucking cruel.
I usher her into the small bar area. Two of her security detail follow. Funny how they’re paying attention tonight when they miss her sneaking out on a regular basis.
‘It’s fine, Grant.’ She raises her hand, and they assume their positions outside the door.
I close it in their faces. The urge to touch her is overwhelming, but I don’t. I’m vibrating with too many emotions to depict. Emotions that are as unfamiliar to me as they are unwelcome. ‘Are you okay?’ No matter how mad I am, how upset, or disappointed, first and foremost I need to know that she’s okay.
‘I am now.’ She offers me a small smile. ‘Thanks for the reprieve.’ She sighs. ‘It doesn’t get any easier.’
