Page 76 of In Love and Revenge

He pushes away from the wall and holds his hand out to me. I don’t know what makes me do it, but I slide mine into his waiting palm.

He swallows thickly, looking at our entwined fingers. ‘Now come on. The sooner tonight’s over, the better it’ll be for everyone.’

Chapter 20

Rafael

Aurora’s stiff in my grasp as I lead us back into the main ballroom, where a band is now playing, and people have taken to a dancefloor in the centre of the room.

My thumb has a bloody mind of its own, rubbing gentle circles on her lower back, and I know I need to put a stop to this. I lean in close to whisper in her ear. ‘Come on. I know what a good actress you can be. You can pretend you like me for twenty minutes.’

She turns inside my arms, sliding her hands up my chest to my bow-tie. She takes her time adjusting it, her smile sickeningly sweet.

‘Fuck you,’ she says ever so gently under her breath.

‘Now, now,’ I purr. ‘Flirt with me like that and I’ll start to think you do want me.’

‘I’d rather lick a badger’s arsehole,’ she hums.

‘Lucky badger,’ I muse, pulling her closer with one hand on the base of her spine so she can’t escape. ‘Now if you’re a good girl, you might learn something. I know every man and woman in attendance tonight. Including the one who used to work with your father and is on their way over. I’ll introduce you. Perhapsshecan be of some use in your father’s case?’

‘You’d do that for me?’ she breathes.

My mouth goes dry as she gazes up at me with something akin to gratitude in her eyes. But it wouldn’t be there if she knew my offer is nothing more than an empty box wrapped up to look like a gift. A mere distraction to prevent me from crossing more lines tonight if I’m left alone with her for too long.

‘Of course,’ I reply, as she gives me a genuine smile.

I feel like the biggest bastard in history when Aurora returns from another fruitless conversation fifteen minutes later. I knew she wouldn’t get anywhere when I introduced her to people who would have worked with, or done business with, her father. Yet I did it anyway. Because I wanted to. Because I knew it would snuff out any hope she has.

Because I yearned to see her suffer like I have.

But where I’ve lost money, I’ve forced her to confront something much greater. I’ve made her lose faith. I took it away from her purely because I could.

Sourness swirls over my tongue.

‘Dance with me,’ I find myself saying.

‘What?’

‘Dance with me,’ I repeat. ‘Then I’ll take you home.’

She sighs, ‘I don’t feel like dancing.’

‘Then do it so you can stamp on my feet and hope you break a toe.’

A small halo of glitter ignites around her pupils in response to my words. ‘Don’t tempt me.’

Before she can protest again, I take her hand in mine and lead her towards the centre of the dancing couples. She follows me easily, much more easily than I expect. Guilt tugs at my gut. I’ve destroyed her fight. Sucked the energy from her.

I turn and pull her into my arms, gently drawing her body in until it’s flush to mine. ‘Start with the big one. It’ll cause the most inconvenience when trying to walk,’ I say in a low voice.

She lets the softest of laughs escape her lips. ‘Thanks for the tip.’

‘Anytime,’ I rumble as she snakes her arms up around my neck.

The move brings us closer to one another. Her breasts push against the front of my shirt, and the scent of the perfume sprayed on her wrists transfers on to my neck. Branding me like I’m hers.

I swallow hard.