He pulls back, looking over his shoulder for someone. “I said brown-red, not pink-red lips,” he’s yelling out into the room. “Where’s the makeup artist?”
He breaks away from me and storms off, leaving me almost panting and staring after him.
I roll my eyes and shake my head. It feels good. It would feel better to give him the middle finger, but I don’t. Instead, I hug my middle and head to the refreshments table where I pour a glass of cucumber water and take a nice long chug. This might take a while. In fact, if Luka has his way, I’m sure all my makeup will need to be redone.
“That’s quite the show the two of you put on.”
Heather, one of the other models, pours herself a glass of water across the table from me. She’s gone sans robe and has been strutting around in her lingerie like a peacock despite the slight chill. I’ve spent the past few hours trying to be pleasant to her and Sasha, but I’d have to be blind not to see how her gaze lands on my fiancé now and follows him around.
“He’s got a vision,” I concede, not wanting to say too much about Luka, or my relationship with him.
“Really?” she says. “Because to me, it looks more like his compulsive need to dominate is the problem.” She lifts a brow at me over the rim of her glass. “Though he’s always had a bit of a temper. Especially when he doesn’t get his way.”
Ah. Another one of Luka’s conquests. She’s opened the proverbial door, but I don’t want to walk through it. I move to leave, but she sets her glass down hard, drawing my attention. With a catty grin, she refills it while staring at me.
“I told him once that I wasn’t going to have a threesome with him and my best friend. Crossing lines and all that. But you know how persuasive he can be and, well, I gave in. Turns out it was the best sex I’ve ever had. He’s…quite talented in that department.”
I stand to my full height and find myself smiling. It feels surprisingly good to put my shoulders back, straighten my spine, and look down at her. In these heels, I’m a solid two inches taller than she is. Her sneer fades quickly. She probably doesn’t want to crease her makeup, but if she keeps talking, I’ll be happy to mess it up for her.
“You know what the craziest thing of all is?” I say. “I’m not even bothered by what you just said. Because you’re right. He is talented. In that department.”
I smile again, and realize my words are genuine. A couple weeks ago, her admission would have wrecked me and twisted me up inside, killing my confidence. But not today.
She crosses her arms, narrowing her eyes. Clearly this battle isn’t over for her. “How does it feel to know he’s been inside every woman in this room?” She glances over her shoulder pointedly. “The makeup artist, the hairstylist? And the other model, Sasha? He fucked her twice, once in front of an audience at an underground club. Members only, of course.”
I can’t help it. I actually laugh.
“I hope he had fun with that,” I say. “Especially considering that his bachelor days are over now.”
“Mmm, you’re right.” Heather pulls her hair over one shoulder, still catty as hell. “Though I also recall that he’s a real asshole when he doesn’t get laid enough. Considering how pissy he is today, I have to wonder if you’re not doing a good enough job in bed to keep his temper under control.”
My fists clench. I’ve never resorted to actual violence in moments of anger, but I’m getting pretty close to going in for my first right hook. Luka and I have been dancing around each other ever since the day he took those pictures of me sucking him off. Every time I get near him, it’s a struggle not to just give in and beg him to let me ride his cock, but I’m still too afraid of getting my heart involved.
For now, I can handle pissy Luka. And I’m not going to let this woman get the upper hand. If I don’t make any new friends in this industry, oh well. I’ve got Mateo, my family, and maybe even my new sisters. Time to lay it all out for this bitch.
“You know, Heather,” I say sweetly as I set down my glass and start around the table to her side. “I honestly don’t care if every woman in the state of Illinois has fucked Luka. Because that’s all in the past. And now? I have something they don’t.”
She stiffens when I stop before her and slap my left hand on the table beside her. She looks down, her nostrils flaring a little as my ridiculous glitter bomb of a diamond ring flashes in the light. I smile big and warm, though I’m sure she can see the murderous glint in my eyes. Lord knows I’m feeling it.
“And for the record, no one gets to talk shit about my hot-as-fuck fiancé butme.” I take one more step toward her and she backs up. With an indignant huff, she turns and clomps off.
I don’t bother lowering my voice as I wave and call out toward her retreating back, “He’s in my bed now, sweetheart. Be sure to tell all your friends. Bye bye now.”
I glare after her with one thought flashing in my mind.
I may not love Luka…but that man is mine.
Brooklyn
Chapter 21
Istay near the table sipping my glass of water for a few more minutes after Heather storms off. My heart is pounding, but not from stress. Instead it’s pure adrenaline and a heady feeling of self-assurance. I stood up to her. It was empowering, and not something I would normally do. I’ve never been a complete pushover, but I’m not confrontational, either. Being diplomatic is the way to go in most situations. But you need a strong backbone to make it to the top, and though I’ve been working on it, standing up to that bitch was a big step for me.
I can’t have women with agendas like Heather constantly trying to plow me over with their jealousy and gossip. And I just proved to myself that I have the strength to prevent them from getting to me. Guess I’m a little bit of a badass, after all.
With a barely suppressed smile, I glance to where Heather has rejoined the other model, Sasha. Their heads are bent together, but I don’t even care what they’re talking about. I’m already over it. Just then, I catch the sight of Luka’s long, muscular body leaning against the wall in the shadows off to my left. He’s pretty relaxed, as if he’s been there for a while. Was he eavesdropping this whole time? That controlling ass.
An arrogant grin tugs at his gorgeous lips as he saunters over to me with his hands in his pockets, which is more than enough answer to my question. I set my jaw, annoyed that he would lurk, and equally irritated that he did nothing to step in and back me up.
