He leans forward, a look of concern carved on his face. ‘Is there anything I can help with?’
Aurelia Arlington was right, Jayden definitely has a hero complex. He’d have to save himself first before he can save me, because I’d bet my life there’s a reason he can’t commit. And until he gets over that, how can he commit to me?
Stop, Chloe. Stop it. Never going to happen.
‘No, but thank you.’ I squeeze Jayden’s fingers as a familiar voice booms behind me.
‘Well, well, well… Chloe Sexton. It’s been a while.’
My head whips around. Ethan’s the last person I expected to see. His eyes dart between Jayden and me before finally landing on our joined hands on the table.
‘Not interrupting, am I?’
ChapterTwenty-Four
JAYDEN
Chloe’s interlaced fingers squeeze mine in a warning. It’s unnecessary. I’ve spent hours worshipping every inch of her body over the past couple of months. I know her subtle tells better than my own.
This guy obviously makes her uncomfortable.
Dressed in a flashy designer suit and with more gold than any self-respecting man should wear, he’s clearly trying to impress someone, possibly himself.
‘Ethan.’ Chloe greets him coolly.
‘You’re looking well.’ His eyes scour her in silent assessment before returning to me. ‘And who is this?’
‘I’m her boyfriend.’ It’s out of my mouth before I can help it. ‘Jayden Cooper.’
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Chloe specifically swore me to secrecy, and I shoot my mouth off in front of the first guy who asks the question.
Not to mention if this idiot takes out his phone and takes a picture, he could jeopardise everything for Lula, and the vow I made to Sofia.
He extends a hand, but I deliberately leave mine interlocked with Chloe’s in a show of support.
His narrow eyes widen and light simultaneously. ‘Ah.’ He clicks his fingers like everything finally makes sense. ‘Agent and brother to Ryan Cooper, and one of LA’s biggest players, if you believe the tabloids.’
‘Huh.’ I snort. And Chloe callsmesmug. If that’s the case, she has a type.
He waves his fingers between the two of us and sneers. ‘Isn’t this practically incest? Oh wait, you’re not family yet, are you?’
It’s a battle to hold my fist back from punching him in the face.
‘And you are?’ Not that I particularly care, other than something about him incenses my woman.
My woman. If only.
‘Ethan Harte. Chloe’s ex-boyfriend. I’m sure she’s mentioned me.’
So, he’s the one who almost ruined it for the rest of us.
Whatever he did, it must have been really bad for her to make her famous one date only rule. My jaw locks, imagining his smarmy hands on her. Kissing her. Touching her.
Even as the blood boils beneath my skin, I adopt an air of indifference. ‘No, funnily enough, she never mentioned you.’
Ethan leers, finally retracting his hand.
