“Vera,” Alistair’s velvet voice slid close. “You look beautiful tonight.” His thumb traced slow circles against my skin, and when I turned, his mouth hovered just shy of my neck, daring me to close the distance.
My heart kicked hard when I finally looked at him. The notorious player in a tux that fit like sin. His cologne wrapped around me, warm spice and danger, and those green eyes locked on mine with a heat that left little room to breathe. My fingers twitched with the urge to sink into the soft curls at his nape, but I forced myself back a step. He followed, closing the distance, his body tipping toward mine until the space between us vanished.
“Ladies. Gentlemen.” Alistair’s voice slid into the circle, smooth and commanding. “I trust you’re enjoying the evening.”They lit up at him, eager nods all around. His hand brushed the small of my back as he added, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to steal this beautiful woman for myself.”
The group laughed and murmured their approval, their bobbing heads granting him permission as if anyone could stop him.
Sycophants. Thinking of my boss and the firm’s reputation, I gave a fake smile that would make Mona Lisa proud. Alistair was the type of man who would say, ‘Jump,’ and more than half the guests would holler, ‘How high?’ I watched his eagle eyes sweep over my body while his lips quivered into a dirty smirk.
“You are a Greek goddess, Vera. You’re stunning tonight,” he complimented, taking me by the arm to a quiet corner. He spoke like a civil gentleman, but his eyes revealed he was hunting for a fuck, and I was his prey.
“So, we meet again, Mister Scott,” I said, eyeing him warily.
“You smell delicious. Edible,” he hummed, sneaking a kiss on my soft cheek. He brushed the back of his hand against my arm, caressing it. “Your skin is smooth and supple, as always.”
“We can’t do this,” I hissed. I wanted to take another step back, but I was already cornered, practically touching the wall.
“Why not? Hmm?” Alistair asked. A half-grin rested on his relaxed face.
“You have a fiancée,” I scolded, placing my hands on his chest to stop him from coming closer. “Mister Scott, I’m here on behalf of my law firm, and the last thing I want to do is embarrass my boss.”
Alistair laughed, his eyes pinning me with a glint of amusement. “Who do you think asked Brenton to send you here? If you believe he doesn’t know what’s happening between us, you don’t know him.”
“What?” The word tore out of me, sharp with shock. Heat rushed up my neck. “What did you tell him?”
Alistair’s grin was wicked. “That I plan to marry you.”
“Alistair Bryce Scott.” I hissed his full name like a warning. “Stop feeding my boss lies. You’re about to marry another woman. Where is she?”
“Haven’t you heard?” he asked, fingers toying with the curve of my waist.
“Heard what?” My quivering voice betrayed me.
“Do you trust me, Vera?” His tongue swept across his lower lip, a move calculated to undo me. Dangerous didn’t begin to cover him, and the worst part was that everyone knew it. Everyone but my traitorous heart.
Do I trust this playboy?
His hand slid lower, fingers grazing my hip, the touch branding. His gaze locked on mine, heavy and intoxicating. “Yes,” I whispered.
Mint curled from his breath, sweet and close enough to taste. His lips hovered, the world narrowing to that single point of almost… before he stepped back.
Reality slammed into me, leaving my pulse wrecked.
Am I a fool?
“I kicked Rebecca out,” Alistair said. He stood tall, legs braced, hands sliding into his pockets like he owned the room and me. The tux didn’t hide the fact that he was built like sin, radiating danger and control.
“What?My lips barely shaped the word, my eyes searching his for a tell.
“I’m a free man.” His hand found my elbow, light but grounding.
“I have to admit, I’m surprised.” My face flushed pink, and it wasn’t from champagne.
“Rebecca lied.” His jaw flexed, anger simmering beneath the calm. “I asked her about the night you and I met. She admitted to deleting your messages, your calls. Did it while I was in thebath.” He leaned closer, voice dropping. “I don’t share my space with strangers after sex.”
He reached for my palm, but I pulled away. He had fucked another woman in my darkest hour when I needed him most.
“You shared your space with me,” I said tightly. “Back when it was just a fling.”
