The term ‘boyfriend’ felt weird slipping off my tongue, but it ignited something deep in my belly that warmed my entire body. I liked the idea of calling Rowenmine.
“Here you go.” My drink appeared.
I tossed back the shot quickly and decided it was time to find my way back to myboyfriend.
“So where’s the lucky guy stupid enough to let such a gorgeous woman walk around by herself?” Aaron grabbed my arm gently—nothing threatening, but just enough to make sure I was still aware of his interest.
“Look, I—”
“He’s watching her carefully for fuckfaces like you.”
His voice sent shivers down my spine. I was so needy for him, so desperate for his touch, I would’ve stripped naked right there in front of everyone had he asked.
Rowen’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me close.
“Hey, you.” I looked up at him, biting my bottom lip. “Decided to join the party?”
There was nothing soft or sweet about the way he looked down at me. His eyes weren’t playful; they wereferal, so intense, they pinned me in place.
He was holding himself back, barely restrained. I could tell he needed to rip me apart and take what belonged to him just as badly as I wanted him to.
I raised a daring eyebrow, and, judging by how his jaw ticked, he took the hint.
“Let’s go,” he demanded, pulling me toward the doors.
“Hang on.” Aaron grabbed my arm, playing tug-of-war with Rowen. “She didn’t say she was ready to go, man. Have some respect for the lady.”
I giggled, but it wasn’t because I found anything funny. It was more of a maniacal laugh, knowing Aaron had picked the wrong girl.
Rowen grabbed my wrist and wrenched me from Aaron’s grasp. “Is she yours?” Rowen asked, stepping into his space, nearly nose to nose, though Rowen had a few inches on him.
“She isn’t property,” Aaron told my stepbrother with a flat face.
Rowen looked at me. “Is that true?”
I was drunk on lust and alcohol, and Rowen was my only relief. I needed him badly, and I wasn’t sure if we were even going to make it to the car.
I shook my head, and he smiled triumphantly. “Who do you belong to, kitten?”
The sound of my nickname made my stomach flutter. “You,” I answered.
“Good girl,” he praised.
Despite what our words might have implied, Rowen didn’t look at me like property. He looked at me with all the care in the world, like I was something precious and untouchable, something he cherished and worshiped.
So what if he also fucked me like I was just a toy he wanted to ruin?
I was everything to him.
I didn’t care that people were watching, listening, probably even judging. All I cared about was getting home as soon as possible so I could be under Rowen for the rest of the night.
“Bernard is outside,” he told me without looking away from his enemy. “Go to the car and wait for me.”
“Row—”
“Now, Avery.” He left no room for argument, his voice sharp and uncompromising.
My legs moved, navigating the crowd until I reached the doors. The cool night air was like a slap in the face, sobering and dizzying all at once.
