Page 23 of The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée
And when a wave of heat washes over me, trickling down between my thighs, I'm sure he can feel that too.
His nostrils flare. Can he smell my arousal?
It's a rude reminder that I'm attracted to a man who'd been hugged by another guy as if his very life depended on it. Jace doesn't reciprocate the other man's attentions. And yet, I'm jealous.
"Why did you really want me to come here with you?" I blurt out.
Jace doesn't reply, merely stares into his drink. He's still gripping my hand.
I know then the reason I'm here, next to Jace, offering comfort, is to do with the man outside.
A burst of anger has me jumping to my feet. I tug my hand from his.
He lets me go so suddenly I fall back—right into the person standing behind me.
10
Sienna
* * *
Hands grip my upper arms, steadying me on my feet. I turn around, look up into a face I don't recognize.
Yet, something in the layout of those features is familiar. He's of medium height, stocky. Not even the tailored, tasteful suit he's wearing can quite conceal the bulge of muscles of his arms. His fingers holding me are thick, but gentle.
"Hey, Sienna." A wide grin lights up his pale brown eyes.
"Tom?" I gasp.
Am I dreaming? My childhood friend who I'd grown up with in Gainesville. The last time I'd seen him was before I'd moved to Silicon Valley. What's he doing in London?
Tom pulls me to him and kisses me straight on my lips.
Next to me Jace stiffens. Tension emanates off him. He hasn't said anything. And yet the space between us pulses with emotion. Jace's pissed off.
It makes me very conscious that I am standing here, in front of Jace, within the circle of another man's arms. I hadn’t set out to make him jealous. But a part of me is pleased.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, trying to wriggle out of Tom's hold.
"Sienna honey, you look amazing," he croons. Then he moves me back in position. Right. Against. Him.
I giggle.
It's a very Tom gesture. Over the top. Demonstrative. Not quite meaning it.
"What are you doing here?" I ask again, then answer my own question as I remember. "Your family did move to the UK, so I guess it's not a surprise you are in the country. But still, meeting you here?"
His hand works down to my butt, and I reach behind me to slap him away.
He'd always liked to flirt.
A pair of hostile eyes drill into me and I can't ignore Jace anymore.
Jace's eyes veer from me to Tom and back.
He doesn't move, but his hands fist at the side. The violence mixed with rage inside him reaches out to me, forcing me to react.
I push against Tom, pinch him in the arm till he releases me. Then I move back, till I feel the bar behind me. Putting enough distance between us, so it's clear we're not touching.
