“I just don’t want anyone to get hurt,” I explain.
It’s a poor excuse, but the idea of Darian coming to harm makes my stomach queasy.
Lauren frowns and begins to respond, but masculine voices interrupt her. Darian looks between us, a question in his eyes as Mr. Visage walks up to Lauren and guides her back to the house with a possessive hand on her lower back. “Dinner is served.”
I breakopen the clam’s shell, poking at the orange flesh inside. I’ve never liked seafood, but I’m not about to complain in the presence of a man as scary as Mr. Visage. He has an air about him that sets me on edge. Maybe it’s the cold way he observes Lauren while she eats or the clipped tone he uses with the servers, but he makes my skin crawl.
Meanwhile, Darian indulges him in conversation, and I watch curiously as he sets down his cutlery and rests his arm on the back of my chair.
With his calm demeanor, Darian makes socializing seem effortless, but I know it’s just a game for him.
My husband, who is now toying with the tendrils of my hair, is a master manipulator and strategist, yet I can’t quite grasp what he’s set out to conquer.
Is it business with Mr. Visage?
Or my heart?
He removes his hand from the back of my chair and rests his big palm on my thigh while discussing a shipment from another state. It’s unnerving how unaffected he sounds as his hand inches higher up my leg.
He already has me wet, and I try my hardest not to squirm as I lift my wineglass to my lips, but I’m trembling so much that I place it back on the table.
As his pinky brushes up against my panties, my mouth falls open with a silent gasp.
His smooth baritone swims around me like a warm, exotic evening breeze. I spread my thighs, struggling to regulate my panting breaths. How a man can reduce me to pure need is scary and exciting.
He dips his pinky inside my panties and runs it up and down my slit. I glance at Mr. Visage, who breaks open another clam and then reaches for his tumbler of pure vodka.
Delacroix slides his pinky inside me. “You seemed hesitant about my offer earlier. I’m willing to double my offer to ensure the sale.”
Vodka spills everywhere as Mr. Visage chokes on his drink. “Excuse me?” he says, placing the drink back down and mopping at the wet stains on his shirt and lap with a tissue. “Double the price?”
“It’s a good deal. No one else will offer you that kind of money for a Pawn. You’d be foolish not to accept my offer.”
A Pawn? Who is he talking about?
“While it’s a tempting offer,” he replies, placing the tissue on his plate and easing back, “I don’t see what’s in it for you. She’s no different from the other Pawns.”
“I have my reasons.” He slides his pinky out and circles my clit with his fingers. “Do we have a deal or not?”
Mr. Visage studies Delacroix with an unveiled interest, almost like he can’t figure him out, then chuckles and shakes his head. “Like you said, only a fool would say no to such a lucrative deal. She’s all yours. Though be warned, she’s spoiled goods now.”
“Duly noted.” Delacroix removes his hand from my panties and holds it out for the man to shake, and my cheeks heat at seeing my arousal glisten on his long fingers. What is he doing?I’m not a professional at reading the energy in a room, but the dark shadows clinging to my husband bode badly for Mr. Visage.
Darian smirks while they shake on whatever business deal transpired, neither man willing to let go first. Is it another power play?
They finally separate, and my husband stands up, smooths down his tie, and thanks Mr. Visage for his hospitality. Then he turns to Lauren, smiling politely. “Kindly pack your bags. We’re leaving in ten minutes.”
I gawk at Darian. Did he buy Lauren from Mr. Visage for me? How much money did he offer? He said double his original bid. How much was that? And why?
A small voice whispers that he did it for me, but I brush it away. Why would he go to such lengths? What has he got to gain?You,you idiot. Your heart is the prize. Delacroix is playing to win.
But why? Why does he want to win my affections? My trust? Why does he care? What’s in it for him?
My heart swells two sizes, and tears prick my eyes at the thought of him bringing me here to see Lauren. But not only that, he also went to great lengths to get her back…for me.
Averting my gaze, I blink rapidly.
Maybe I underestimated Darian Delacroix? Perhaps he’s not as bad as he leads the world to believe?
