Involved?
The sheer ecstasy on Vin’s face when he ate my food, the feel of his arms around me when he made me come the first time, the sound of his voice calling me his queen as he came in my mouth.
“No,” I say.
“No?”
“No,” I repeat.
Gavin holds my gaze for a moment. I can’t read what he’s thinking. Then he stands. “Let me get us fresh drinks.”
He moves toward the bar, and I exhale, sneaking another look at Ashlyn. Vin is next to her now, his back to me. She touches his arm, her head tipped toward his, talking to him. He’s in a dark suit, his shoulders broad, and his head is dipped down like he’s listening. But he’s not touching her.
I glance down at my dress and run my palms over the fabric a few times absently. Then I feel him beside me.
“Fixing yourself before your date comes back?”
I close my eyes for a split second then open them. He’s closer than he should be, and I have to physically force myself to breathe. I’d forgotten how disarming it is to be this close to him.
“Go away, Vin.” I stay calm. “Your rules, remember? I’m not supposed to talk to you.”
His jaw shifts. “You trying to show off your new fuck toy in front of me, Sophia?”
“Show off? Why would I do that?” My voice is even. I think it’s even. I hope it’s even. “You and I were never together. You made that clear. And even if we were, it’s been over a year.”
“Still.” His eyes move toward the bar where Gavin is talking to someone, his tone contemptuous. “Him? You’re replacing me withhim?”
“At least I didn’t get engaged to someone else less than 24hours after you came inside me.” I watch his face. “From what I understand, the two of you are as good as married after last night.”
That got him. His neck flushes red as he narrows his eyes at me and leans in closer. “Don’t judge me, princess. I’m a fucking boss doing what I have to do for my family. You’re just a fucking—”
“Careful,” I say softly.
“Whore.”
I almost laugh. No one has ever enjoyed treating me like a whore more than he did, and it definitely didn’t feel like an insult then.
“You fucking asshole,” I say under my breath. He blinks, surprised I’m sure that I used a curse word. “You’re wrong. You’re not the only one making choices that put this family first. It’s for them that I’m not throwing this drink in your face and making a scene in front of your freshly fucked fiancée.” I lean forward slightly. “But try me when you aren’t protected by family politics. See howthatgoes for you.”
“I don’t need you to protect me. I don’t need you to do shit for me.”
“Yes, you made that clear the last time I saw you.” I sit back and sip my wine. “So what are you doing here, Vincenzo?”
He opens his mouth to respond.
“Looks serious.” Gavin’s voice is smooth and neutral as he sets a fresh glass of wine in front of me and glances between us. “Should I take a lap?”
“Yes,” Vin says.
But I say, “No,” at the same moment. I turn to Gavin with a smile. “Please, sit. Vin was just leaving.”
Gavin settles into his chair then throws me for a loop when he nudges the empty chair across from him a few inches in Vin’s direction with his foot. “You’re welcome to join us. Sophia was just telling me about her restaurant opening, but I imagine there are a lot of good stories between the two of you. Practically family, she said.”
Sophia. Gavin called me Sophia. It’s something only my parents and Vin have ever called me.
The silence that follows is heavy.
Vin goes still, the muscle in his jaw twitching. His gaze comes to me, flat and dark, and I stare straight ahead with nothing on my face at all.
