“A word. Outside,” I hissed. When we were out in the relative peace of the corridor, I whirled on him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
Surprise flashed in his gaze before he quickly masked it.I’d surprised myself, to be honest. I’d never confronted him before.
“What exactly do you have an issue with?”
“You, acting like that when we’re in public. I’m not naive enough to think that you won’t…be with other women, but you can’t disrespect me like that.”
If I thought he was capable of feeling shame, I would’ve sworn it flickered over his face. As it was, he nodded slowly. “Yes. I apologise, Nova. Serena is… We have history, but that’s no excuse. You have my word that I will be on my best behaviour in public from now on.”
“Is she your type?” I asked, curious now.
“You want to know?”
I nodded, and his lips ticked up. “I suppose I do gravitate towards?—”
“Flirty brunette women?”
“Perhaps.” He eyed me, amused. “That’s no reflection on you, Nova. You are a beautiful woman, but I think you and I are both aware that there is no attraction between us. I am not your type, either.”
I bit down on my lip. The way he had stated those words with utter certainty— Bile rose in my throat as a sudden, horrifying thought hit me. Did he know what had happened with Jay?
“Um. I don’t have a type,” I managed, and his brows lifted.
“Hmm. Regardless, you do not feel anything for me.”
“No,” I admitted. “Look, I know we’re both going into this with our eyes open. Just…keep up appearances in public, okay?”
“Of course.” Holding out his hand, he stepped away from me. “Shall we begin now?”
I slipped my hand into his, and he led me back into theballroom. In the centre of the room, he dropped my hand, wrapping his arm around my waist, and kissed me.
Staking a public claim.
Once again, I felt nothing.
When he released me, I spotted Daniel standing near the open doors, frowning in my direction.What?I mouthed.
In reply, he jerked his head towards the doors. I followed his line of sight to see a familiar, broad-shouldered figure striding across the terrace flagstones in the direction of the maze.
“I’ll be right back,” I murmured to Anton.
Then, I followed Jayesh into the night.
“Jay,” I repeated.
He raised his head, his dark eyes arrowing straight to mine before he tore his gaze away. “Fucking hell,” he muttered, tipping his head back to the night sky. “What did I do to deserve this?”
Carefully picking my way across the gravel, I came to a stop next to the bench. I tried not to let his words hurt me, but they did, anyway.
I swiped my tongue across my lips, staring down at this beautiful man, sprawled across the bench in his black-on-black suit, his throat working as he swallowed back whatever words he wanted to say. “Jay,” I said again.
“What do you want, Nova?” His voice was flat.Nova. No “princess,” no low, teasing drawl…no emotion at all. It was as if a switch had been flicked off.
“I just wanted to talk to you.”
His jaw clenched. “We said everything we needed to say.You need to leave. Your fiancé can’t catch you out here. Not with me.”
“Did…did he say something to you?”
