I spread my lips into a small smile and slowly turn to the side until I can see my husband’s angry gaze. “Gabriel.”
“What are you doing here?” His question shouldn’t hurt me. He would have told me if he had wanted me to be here.
“I’m dancing.” I glance toward Sinclair. “With Sinclair. He was nice enough to invite me to dance.” I look between my husband and Sinclair. “Sinclair, this is my husband, Gabriel.”
Sinclair swallows. “Mr. Savastano. I didn’t know she was your wife. I didn’t know you were married.”
My brows raise, and I look at Gabriel. His jaw ticks. “Not that that is any of your business, but this is my wife, and if you know what’s good for you, you will forget you met her.”
I want to argue with him, but I don’t. I just smile at Sinclair and let Gabriel lead me toward the other side of the room.
When we stop, I turn to him. “So, only family knows you're married?”
“There are others who know. Those who are close to me. Sinclair is employed by the Lotus Group. He doesn’t even work here.”
“I guess the blonde who was at your side a moment ago also doesn’t know.”
I look him directly in his eyes so I can see what passes through them. He exhales. When I see nothing in his eyes, I shake my head.
“She does know, actually.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Wow, I’m not sure how I feel about that. But I guess this is one of your walls.”
“It’s not like that.” Gabriel starts to speak, but we’re interrupted when a man slightly older than Gabriel approaches us. He is handsome; his salt and pepper hair gives him a serious look, for which his boyish face compensates as he smiles at us.
“Gabriel. The party is lovely as always. Pity we couldn’t see Salvatore around. I heard what happened to his wife. Hope they get through it.”
“They’re both going through a rough time.”
“And who is this lovely lady?” The man smiles at me as he takes my hand in his without waiting for me to extend it.
“Valentina,” I say.
Something like an animalistic growl sounds from beside me, and Gabriel’s hand that was at the small of my back wraps around my waist and pulls me to his side.
“This is my WIFE.” Gabriel punctuates the word, and the man pulls his hand from mine like it’s on fire.
“You’re married?” His face turns serious.
“A few months ago. Not that it’s any of your business.”
“Well, it was nice to see you. I will be in touch so we can talk about that project.” He lowers his head and turns to me. “I’m sorry, Mrs. Savastano.”
What did he mean? I glance at Gabriel, whose expression is deadly, like he is looking at his worst enemy. I shake my head.
Unbelievable.
“You didn’t have to be a prick.”
He looks down at me, his dark eyes pinning me. “He was ogling you like I wasn’t standing beside you.”
I meet his dark look. “Maybe if he knew you got married, he might have actually thought you brought your wife tonight. Not that it would matter.”
“Valentina.” He says my name like a warning. I open my mouth to give him a piece of my mind but decide against it. I’m not doing that; I need a different approach. I try to pull away from him, since I’m still pressed to his side, only his grip on my waist tightens as growling sounds rumble from him. “Pull away and see what happens,” he warns, and two men I’ve never seen before approach us. I ignore them; my attention is on the reaction of my body and my brain. Both would like to test him and see what would happen. I really like to push his buttons. Only then can I see underneath his perfect mask.
Gabriel introduces me as his, and I make an effort to keep up with the introductions without thinking about how to shift from one leg to another and not feeling like I’ll combust. Gabriel’s hand is no longer on my waist but my hip and partially on my butt. He’s making circles with his fingers. Wetness pools between my legs, and I bite my lip just so I can’t moan or lean into him. Because I need more.
I want more.
