Throughout the evening, Hope noticed Colin's heightened awareness of other men's attentions. The way his hand stayed at the small of her back when the investment banker from Jackson Hole complimented her dress. The possessive brush of his thumb against her wrist when another man told her she had grown even prettier over the years.
It was a side of Colin she hadn't seen before. Territorial. Protective. It should have felt stifling. Instead, it sent shivers of awareness dancing across her skin.
The string quartet transitioned to dance music, couples moving to the cleared floor at the center of the hall. Colin extended his hand to Hope.
"Dance with me."
Colin ignored the surprise that flashed in her eyes as he drew her to the dance floor. He already knew she had meant to turn him down.
Being this close to her husband discomfited her, and Hope's discomfort only grew when she caught sight of a lovely blonde making a splash as she entered the ballroom. "Colin? It's Princess—"
"I don't give a damn."
Her eyes widened. "What's wrong with you? She's just arrived—"
"She has her own husband. Lethimdeal with his own wife. I already have my hands full with mine."
"Excuse me?" He was making her sound so wonderfullytroublesome,when all her life she had gotten used to thinking of herself as dull and boring.
His gaze bored through hers. "You heard me."
"I havenevertried to cause trouble—"
"Then that's even worse."
A choked laugh escaped her despite everything. "What is wrong with you, seriously?"
"Jealousy."
Hope rolled her eyes. "No, really—"
"And it's not the kind of jealousy I've ever felt before," Colin grated out. "Not even with Princess."
Hope could only stare now that she realized he wasn't joking.Jealous?Her husband was jealous? Over her?How? Why?
"I finally have your attention." Triumph glittered in his gaze. "Good." And he suited action to words by drawing her close.
Oh no.
Hope's breath caught upon finding every inch of her body plastered against her husband's. Around them, other couples danced, but Hope barely registered their presence. How could she, with the way Colin's hand had now curved possessively around her backside?
From across the room, Hope caught sight of Princess watching them, her perfect features arranged in a mask of polite indifference that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"She's watching us," Hope blurted out.
"Ignore her."
"But—"
Instead of answering, Colin covered her mouth in a kiss, and all she could do was hold on to the massive breadth of his shoulders. The kiss deepened. Her senses reeled.
And when he pulled away, her husband said quietly, "I want you."
She didn't even have to think, with her heart already his. "Then take me." Her words had him jerking. It was obvious she had taken him by surprise. It was to be expected, since she had also surprised herself.
But the more Hope thought about it, the more she realized it was what she wanted, and she then heard herself say, "I'm tired of being a virgin, Colin." This was neither a lie nor an absolute truth. Instead, they were words she was pinning her every hope to. Her every prayer. Because she was hoping, once they made love, he would realize the same thing.
This marriage was right. This marriage could last. If they chose each other.
