Page 171 of Vicious Temptation

What I wouldn’t give to see Remi right now or hear her voice.

Despite how good things have been between us over the past couple of weeks, neither of us has mentioned the ball since our argument. Part of me wanted to ask her, but I was too afraid of hearing no a second time. And things were finally starting to feel right between us, and I didn’t want to risk ruining that by bringing it up.

So I let it go.

Now, standing in the middle of a ballroom full of people, I wish I’d taken the chance.

As if reading the direction of my thoughts, Elena clears her throat.

“Why didn’t you bring your friend from the other night? What was her name again?”

“Drop it,” I mutter.

But in true Elena fashion, she has no intention of doing any such thing.

“Ah, Remi, was it?” She swirls the drink in her hand. “Pretty girl, that one. She’s got fire in her eyes.”

I say nothing, and Elena nudges my shoulder.

“I’m sure she would’ve loved to attend.”

I turn to her. “She’s not coming.”

Elena suddenly goes still, and the glass stops halfway to her lips as her smile disappears. “I think she might have had a change of heart.”

A strange sensation moves through my chest. I follow her line of sight, and before my gaze reaches the ballroom entrance, every muscle in my body goes rigid with recognition.

The conversations around me fade into the background until the music, laughter, and clinking glasses grow distant.

I know it's her before I even lay eyes on her.

Then I look up, and there she is.

The breath leaves my lungs as I stare across the ballroom. She spots me almost immediately, and her red lips curve into a slow grin.

Remi walks through the entrance as if the room belongs to her, each step carrying the kind of confidence that makes people stop and stare.

My girl is dressed in a black leather catsuit that looks as if it were made for her. The material hugs every delicious curve and catches the light with each measured step she takes across the polished floor. A matching mask frames her eyes, and her hair falls in soft waves over one shoulder.

She looks powerful, untouchable, and absolutely breathtaking.

The room notices her beauty, but I notice the way her gaze never leaves mine.

Despite everything that happened when I asked her to come, Remi changed her mind and showed up for me.

I swallow hard and adjust my tie, suddenly feeling suffocated.

“Thiago,” she says when she reaches me.

“You came.” I pull her against my chest without caring that we’re surrounded by half the precinct. My arms close around her, and she rises onto the balls of her heeled boots to press a kiss to my cheek before leaning close enough for only me to hear.

“You owe me big for this, Braga.”

I laugh, pulling her closer, breathing in the familiar scent of her perfume.

“Baby, I’ll give you whatever you want.” My hand rests against her hip. “You’re here, and I know it’s not something you’re fully comfortable with. I’d be an idiot not to appreciate it.”

A shiver runs through her, sending a rush of satisfaction through me.