It’s not cold, but chilly enough for most of the outside spaces to be empty. At the peak of summer, it would be overrun with people, but the only movement is a waiter running along the near wall and into the kitchens at the far end.
“What the hell was that?” Crawford snaps.
The door we have just walked through closes behind us, and we’re now alone.
“What?” I ask, staring up at him in amazement. “What did I do?”
“You think I didn’t see Ambrose’s hands all over you?” he spits out, crowding me against the stone surround that lines the edge of the balcony.
“What are you talking about? He was just introducing me to people!” I say.
“Oh, yes? Well then, why was he touching you?”
“He wasn’t.”
“He was. His hand was on your back.”
“Well, that’s hardly?—”
“Your body belongs tome,” he says, a fire in his eyes as he muscles me back against the low wall. “Maybe I should have paid more attention to your jealousy earlier,” he snaps. “Maybe it’s notmewho’s interested in other partners. Been fucking other men behind my back, Amelia?”
The fragile thread of my temper snaps taut, and I shove at him, pushing him away from me.
“Of course I haven’t. Are you insane? He was looking out for me because youdisappeared, so excuse me for spending time with the only other person I know in the whole goddamn place!”
“You stay away from him.”
“What, unless he’s in the corner of a room watching us fuck?” I hiss, anger coursing through me as I glare at him.
“What did you just say to me?” he asks darkly.
“Well, that seems to be the only time he’s welcome to come near me, isn’t it? When you’re in charge, so you can reenact the good times you had with your bitch of a fiancé.”
We both freeze. My mouth hangs open, as I stare at him, horrified.
“I… I’m sorry,” I attempt, but he’s already moving. He crushes me against the corner of the balcony, and now his brown eyes are dark with lust.
“Is that the problem?” he says, as his hands grip my hips. “You’re jealous of my ex?”
He rubs his nose against my neck, and even though I’m still seething at him, I can’t help leaning into his touch.
“Was she rude to you?” he asks, his mouth just beside my ear. “Because I’ll kill her.”
I snort. “Sure you will. That’s why you took her to dinner.”
He leans back, smiling down at me, as he rubs his hard cock against my leg. “Hm, youwerejealous.”
I shove at him again, and his hands come up and grip my wrists, pushing my arms behind my back.
“You don’t like the idea of it, do you? Ambrose watching me fuck Megan.”
I try not to react, but by the low chuckle he emits, I’m not able to hide what I’m feeling. He’s rubbing his cock against me continually now, and I can feel myself getting wet, aching for him despite my anger.
“I never fucked Megan like that, in my bed. Ambrose only ever came to Megan’s place, and it was quick and perfunctory. I don’t think she even enjoyed it. You, on the other hand,lovedbeing watched. Having another man staring at you while I shoved my cock so deep into you, youwhinedwith pleasure.”
I tug at my wrists, but he won’t let me go.
“I don’t want Megan, I want you, and I’m going to make sure every single man in that room knows who you belong to.”
