Page 31 of His to Possess
He tilts his head, studying me. “It’s hard for you to accept gifts, isn’t it?”
It’s my turn to shrug, my discomfort growing. “I don’t like to owe people.”
His eyebrows come down. “Lilah, you don’toweme for anything. I arranged the day for you because I wanted to. I took you out tonight because Iwantedto.”
Suddenly, his gaze on my face feels too intense and I have to turn away. Strong fingers grip my wrist as Philip takes a step closer, my senses immediately overwhelmed by him. He’s so big, standing there next to me. I can smell his musky scent, feel the heat of his body. The urge to let myself melt against him is strong.
“Lilah.” There’s a demand in his voice that my body finds impossible to ignore. I begin to turn my head back to look at him—until my gaze latches on the couple approaching us. They both wear expressions of recognition and big, gleeful smiles.
“Matthews,” the man calls and Philip’s fingers uncurl from my wrist as I hear him sigh.
“Nathan,” he says, voice clipped. The girl laughs, sounding delighted.
“You’re right,” she stage whispers to her companion. “He totally sounds grumpy.”
He glares at her, but still leans forward to press a kiss to her cheek before holding out his hand to the man. I stand at his side, feeling awkward and trying not to fidget. Instinct born from years of practicing at my mother’s side has me standing straight, shoulders back.
Philip turns to me, jaw clenched tight. I wonder if he’s annoyed at the interruption—or if he’s feeling embarrassed about introducing me to his friends. I try not to let that thought sting.
“Lilah, I’d like you to meet my friends Jonathan Chase and Harper Cain.” He gives them a warning glance. “This is Lilah Cartwright.”
They both look way more excited than a simple dinner warrants as they hold out their hands to shake mine.
“It’s so nice to meet Philip’s friend,” Harper gushes, her eyes running over my face. “You’re so beautiful! No wonder he’s getting all cray-cray—”
“Harper,” Philip snaps but his tone does nothing to diminish the glee from her face. Or the laughter clearly fighting to overtake her partner as he holds out his hand.
“Please call me Nate,” he says, taking my hand and leaning down to kiss it. Philip makes a growly noise next to me and I feel Nate’s soft chuckle drift across my skin. Harper slaps a hand over her mouth as if to keep from laughing.
Feeling very confused, I take a step back when Nate releases me, body automatically craving the comfort of Philip’s presence. He places a hand at my lower back and the contact has me relaxing slightly.
“Ignore them,” he murmurs in my ear, sounding cross. “They’re taking the piss with me.”
“Taking the piss?” I whisper.
His eyes warm as he looks down at me, expression softening. “Teasing.”
“Oh my god, they’re so cute!” Harper crows, and Philip sighs, looking back at his friends.
“Are we going to stand here in the lobby all evening?” he asks. “Did the two of you at least check in with the hostess before starting your little fun?”
Nate’s face suddenly turns serious. “Uh, bad news there, friend.”
Philip’s eyes narrow. “What bad news?”
“Benson called when I was parking the car. Apparently, there was some mix up—he thought we were meeting, um.” He shoots me a look. “At the club.”
Philip curses loudly, causing several of the well-dressed couples in the lobby to shoot him disapproving glares. “Why the bloody hell did he think we were meeting there? My secretary told him the name of the restaurant and sent the address when she confirmed this afternoon.”
Nate shrugs. “You know Benson, man. He’s a little…flighty.”
Philip growls again, running his hands through his hair. “Well did you cancel, then?”
Nate looks even more uncomfortable. “I told him I’d check with you, first. He sounded pretty disinterested in rescheduling.” I get another furtive look from Philip’s friend. “Maybe the girls want to stay here and have dinner and you and I can run over and meet with him?”
“Or we could all just go over there,” Harper points out, looking annoyed. “They serve dinner at the club, you know.”
“Are you insane?” Philip snaps, glaring at her. “I’m not bloody well taking Lilah to Wyld.”
