Whatever is going on between them looks intimate—too intimate, if you ask me.
Oh shit.
I bet he’s fucked her. That explains it.
Did he have drinks with her before meeting with me?
With his eyes locked onto mine, Phoenix struts towards me with such confidence, you’d think he owns the place. I straighten my shoulders as he approaches, both hands clenching my new bejeweled black clutch. I congratulate myself on my selection of heels. Five and a half inches don’t put me eye to eye with him, but at least I no longer feel like he towers over me. I pin him with a critical stare—a mix of bitterness, bravery, and… jealousy?
No. No. No.
That’s not even possible.
I’m not jealous. I’m pissed off because he promised he wouldn’t humiliate me or make me look stupid. We’re not even married, and he’s already breaking his promise.
Men.
“Michaela.” He offers a warm smile.
“Phoenix.” I allow my eyes to brush along his tall frame. I should be appreciating the view, but I’m too ticked off for that. So, I let my claws out.
My eyes travel to the blonde shooting daggers at me before returning my attention to him. “Will yourexjoin us for dinner?” I plaster a mocking grin on my lips.
He narrows his eyes at me. Under the lights, they glint like two dark sapphires. “She’snotan ex.”
“And I’m the first female Pope,” I say with a wry smile. “I didn’t expect your love life to slap me across the face tonight.”
Tension settles between us.
A muscle in his jaw ticks and his nostrils flare.
I brace myself for his retort, but to my surprise, he closes the gap between us and leans in until his lips flirt with my earlobe. “I have a past, Michaela. There’s nothing I can do about it. She’s part of it,” he says. “I’m not a cheater. Stop worrying about her. She’s not worth it, trust me.” He pauses. “Tonight, is about you.You’remy present. This is our first date in public. We’re supposed to be madly in love.”
I’m sure I wouldn’t be this affected if he hadn’t murmured those words in his trademark deep, smokey voice.
I clear my throat and take a step back, pulling away from his magnetic field of lust. “Thanks for clarifying that.”
He gives me a onceover. “I’m glad to see you gave my Neiman Marcus account a good workout.”
“I didn’t go overboard,” I say, worried he might think I took advantage of him.
“I didn’t mean it as a criticism. You look stunning.”
My cheeks flush. I’m certain they compete with the color of my dress.
“Thank you,” I say. “I love the dress and the shoes.” Our gazes drop to my feet in unison before we lock eyes again.
“So. Do. I.”
I get that he’s the lead singer of a former boy band and all, but the man’s raspy voice is too sexy for words.
“The shopping spree was generous of you,” I say.
“I’m the lucky guy who gets to admire you.” He winks. “And by the way, hot pink is your color.”
“It’s one of my favorites.”
“You wear it well…” He gives me another appreciative onceover, so slow it’s like a caress. Then, a cocky grin forms on his kissable lips. “I can’t wait to discover your other favorites…”
