“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m allowed to have conversations with people who aren’t you.”
“Then why is it such a big deal to tell me who it was, unless you have something to hide?”
“I don’t have something to hide. I just don’t feel like I need to tell you every little detail of my life. Didn’t youjustsay I wasn’t supposed to put my nose where it doesn’t belong? Maybe you should take some of your own advice.”
“It’s different when we’re supposed to be showing the party what a perfect couple we are. I can’t have you draping yourself over another man.”
“I’m not doing this with you. We have to go back inside for pictures. That would make us look like the perfect husband and wife, right?”
“We’re not going anywhere until you answer my question.”
“You are such an asshole.”
“I’m still waiting, darlin’. I have all night.”
She scoffs. “Fine. That man? His name is Devin Franklin. My dad’s head of security. There. Are you happy? Can we go back inside now? You’re making a big deal about nothing.”
I grab her arm as she moves to go around me, and she whirls, jerking it out of my grasp. Her mask of indifference slips, just a little, but it’s enough for me to note the mounting frustration.
“No, you can’t go back inside. Why were you talking to him? What’s the big secret?”
“Jesus, get a grip. Just because I have your ring on my finger and we’ve fucked doesn’t mean you can boss me around.”
“I’m afraid that’s exactly what it means. Or do I need to remind you?” She stills, and my blood flashes hot.
“No, you’ve made it perfectly clear what you expect.”
I herd her into the wall, one hand at her belly, the other braced beside her.
“Are you trying to make me jealous? Because those kinds of petty games won’t work on me.”
Catriona leans in a fraction, a shark scenting blood. “Sure seems like it’s working on you. What’s the matter? Daydreaming about having me begging for you again?”
My mouth goes so dry I can’t respond.
“Because it’ll be a cold day in hell before I ever let you near me.”
“If you really want to know what hell is like,bhean chéile, let another man touch what’s mine.”
“I am not yours,” she bites out, eyes glittering and hand tightening around the flute of champagne at her side.
“That’s not what you said the last time my cock was inside you. Remember?”
Her breath stutters against my lips. “Hardly.”
“Need a reminder? How long do you think it would take me to get you off, hmm?” I tilt my head down, skin heating as I reacquaint myself with the curves of her body. My voice lowers of its own volition. “Does it ache for me, love?”
She takes a sip from her champagne, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d say she sounded indifferent to my interrogation. Men twice her size have withered at less. It shouldn’t be sofuckinghot. “Please,” she says. “The only thing I feel for you is revulsion.”
“Is that right?”
Her eyes bounce between mine like she can’t look away. “That’s right. You hate that, don’t you? You hate how much you want me. That’s why you can’t seem to stay away from me,” she taunts.
The haughty smirk falters when I don’t give in to an angry tirade. “A little hypocritical, don’t you think?”
“I think maybe you’re having issues with your English. You don’t seem to understand the definition of hypocritical.”
“Yet you’re the one who melts the moment I touch you. I thinkyou’rethe one who can’t stay away from me. After all, you crashed my wedding because you couldn’t stand to see me marry someone else.”
