Page 29 of On Her Terms

Her gaze goes to me, and I give a casual nod, showcasing indifference. At first it seems to take her by surprise, but then she accepts Jared’s outstretched hand. I stare after them until they’re lost in the crowd, and when I turn back I find Summer grinning at me. She shifts closer and puts her hand on mine.

“You like her,” she says after the others all go off to find dance partners.

“Of course I like her. I wouldn’t be helping her out if I didn’t.”

“Oh, is that what you’re doing? Helping her out?”

“Yeah.”

“And sleeping with her. That’s helping her out, too?”

I shake my head and Summer goes quiet when the server comes and distributes our drinks. I pay for them all and glance up to see Tate arrive. Thankful for the distraction, I ask, “How is James?”

“Good. I didn’t get him to his room, though.”

Summer, who used to be his doctor, frowns. “What happened?”

“We entered the lobby, and Deloris, an old friend of the family, stopped us. Apparently the two are going to the rooftop for a drink.”

I laugh at that. “Leave it to James. In his nineties and still getting action.”

Tate holds his hands up, palms out. “I don’t want to even think about this.”

“Luca,” someone screams, and I turn to see Jess rushing toward me. She’s wearing a tight black dress that barely covers her ass. “You didn’t call,” she says. “I’ve been waiting.”

“I...uh...lost your number,” I say and don’t miss the way Tate and Summer are watching me, their eyes narrowed.

“Well, you’re here now and that’s all that matters.” Before I can protest, she pulls me out of my chair and drags me to the dance floor. She wiggles her ass at me and shakes her breasts, and I move to the music and glance around for Brianna. When I find her, her eyes are locked on mine, a surprised look on her face when she sees Jess. The music changes, slows, and I’m about to walk off the dance floor when Jess drags me to her, sliding her arms around my body and touching my ass.

Jared pulls Brianna to him and moves her hair from her neck to whisper something in her ear. A vicious growl catches in my throat, and Jess must mistake it for something else. She rubs up against me, and I feel her hard nipples through her dress.

I put my hands on her shoulders and pull her off me. She pouts and places her palms on my chest. One hand slides lower and closes over my cock, giving me her best massage. My gaze flies to Brianna. Our eyes meet, hold for a second, then she’s back to laughing at something Jared says to her. Sparks of jealousy fire my nerves, and I bend, put my mouth to Jess’s ear and excuse myself.

I stalk through the dance floor and then slide my arm around Brianna’s waist, tug her to me. “I need to talk to you,” I say, acting like a goddamn caveman.

Incredulous, her eyes go wide. “Can’t it wait? I’m dancing.”

“I need to talk to you now,” I say.

Our eyes lock, hold and then something in her softens. “Okay.” She apologizes to Jared, and I lift to my full height as I face off against the other man. “Come on.” She begins to lead me back to the table, when I give a little tug to change directions.

“It’s not what you think,” I growl.

“What are you talking about?”

“With Jess and me. It’s not what you think.”

“What is it I think?” she asks.

“She grabbed my dick, making it clear what she wants from me. You saw it.”

“Hey, you can do whatever you want with her,” she says with a tip of her chin. “Leave with her if you want, for all I care. Granddad isn’t here to see it, and we’re not really engaged, remember?”

“I asked for a one-week commitment from you. It’s obvious to me you’ve been hurt before and don’t trust guys. I’m not an asshole who’s going to go off with someone else and deepen that distrust.” Trust? Who the hell am I to talk about trust? She doesn’t even know who I really am. “Besides, I told you I’d be ending tonight by keeping you up and totally satisfying you, and I meant it.”

I cup her elbow and lead her down the long hallway to the staff lounge. Once inside I set the lock, grip her by the waist and spin her until she’s pressed against the door. Her eyes are wide, her shock evident in the way her chest is rising and falling erratically, but I don’t miss the lust as I step back and take in her curve-fitting dress, consider what she might be wearing underneath it.

She slides her hand along the door and grips the doorknob. “Don’t,” I warn in a soft but commanding voice.

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