Page 116 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

He lied so you’d marry him and now here you are.

I couldn’t lie to myself. There were serious risks that I could have faced if I went to court alone. First, I wasn't a British citizen and my financial situation was bleak. I was almost positive no judge would have found my financial situation as stable for raising a child. If he’d only been honest with me, instead of lying and manipulating. He had so many chances to come clean about all those lies.

I felt betrayed by his deception and lies.

I hushed my mind and focused on now. We entered the grand ballroom hand in hand, and I swore all eyes turned towards us. I felt out of the place here, not a single friendly face in sight. I wanted to plead with Alexander not to leave me alone, but I was still hurt from our earlier argument and my pride wouldn’t let me.

He squeezed my hand in comfort and it helped me to calm down. I should’ve despised this man, not love his comfort.

We mingled and I occasionally threw glances around. Alexander introduced me to everyone we talked to. Women threw either envious glances my way or seductive glances Alexander’s way. If only they knew the truth, they’d probably push me out of the way to get to him. It was mind blowing to me that they didn’t care at all that his wife stood next to him.

We stood around with yet another group of men and their wives. I wondered what was the point of this party. It seemed like a gathering of snobs and I was exhausted. It had been a trainwreck of a day. By this point, I didn’t even pretend to listen to what women and men were saying. I had to stifle a yawn several times.

Alexander’s arm was around me and I hated that I relished in his heat. My heart would shudder from every look and touch he gave me. Even worse was that I wanted more of it. His body so close promptly caused an ache between my thighs, my clit throbbed with need. My heart was bleeding but my damned body still wanted him.

A woman who was throwing seductive glances at Alexander all night spoke up to me for the first time.

“Tired?” she asked. She really would be beautiful if only she had a kind smile, instead a mix of this cruel and seductive smile as she ogled my husband. “You should call it a night. Many wives end up leaving much earlier than their husbands.”

Really? Is that why you are still here?

“I’m a little bit tired,” I answered instead, smiling sweetly as I leaned against Alexander. “Alexander kept me up half the night. You know how it is. I’ll just have some coffee on our way home so we can continue tonight.”

She opened her mouth a couple of times, but nothing came out before she turned on her heel and left without another word.

I should slap myself for being jealous, but instead I chuckled softly. That should teach her a lesson.

I felt Alexander’s hot breath in my ear. “Having fun?”

I rolled my eyes. “Tons,” I whispered back, heat spreading through my face at being caught by him.

“I love when you blush.” He kissed my neck and went back to talking to a gentleman on his right.

There was something seriously wrong with the two of us. Maybe we both needed a really good psychiatrist and therapy. We just fought like sworn enemies three hours ago and now, here we were flirting.

“Hello, Livy,” Alexander’s grandfather greeted me and I couldn’t help but smile at him. I really liked him, despite everything. After what happened earlier, there was no way he didn’t start to get the idea of what was going on between Alexander and me.

“Hello, Mr-” He gave me a stern look and I immediately corrected myself. “Grandfather.”

He hugged me and smiled. “That’s better. And can I just say… you look stunning.”

“Thank you,” I replied with a slight blush. “You look very handsome too.”

“For an old, ill man, you mean,” he teased. “Now, can I have this dance?”

He referred to our earlier conversation and I wondered what he thought of all this. He’d probably take away that gift of the publishing house. It felt rotten having that gift linger.

“I would love to.”

“Grandson,” he addressed Alexander. “I’m taking my lovely granddaughter for a dance.”

I felt everyone’s scrutinizing eyes on me. I felt they had been watching every move Alexander and I made all night.

To heck with everything,I thought to myself.Everyone here was acting so I can act too.

I leaned over to Alexander and kissed him on the cheek. His arm wrapped around my waist and took my mouth into a kiss. It ended too soon, leaving me breathless and blinking as I tried to clear the haze of desire out of my brain.

Damn this man.I loved him too much. I loved Alexander’s touch and kissing him, feeling his eyes on me.

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