Page 23 of Auctioned to the Devil

I follow.

“I’m not pretending to be your girlfriend.”

“I didn’t ask you to.”

She spins around. “Then what was that?”

“Sloan thinks you’re alone.”

“I am alone.”

“Exactly.”

Her mouth tightens. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

“Never said you weren’t.”

“You keep saying that right before treating me like I need a babysitter.”

“He put his hands on you.”

“And I handled it.”

“Not the point.”

“What is the point?”

I stop in front of her.

She’s pissed.

Really pissed.

Cheeks flushed. Green eyes bright. Chest rising a little faster beneath that dress.

I liked the dress from across the room.

I like it more up close.

“The point is Sloan wanted everyone in that room to watch him put his hands on you.”

Her anger falters.

“He wanted you uncomfortable. He wanted you embarrassed. Most of all, he wanted you to know he could do it in front of fifty people and nobody would stop him.”

“I told him to let go.”

“I heard you.”

“I didn’t need you.”

“I know.”

She folds her arms. “Then why?”

“Because now he knows I’m paying attention.”

Her eyes narrow. “And everyone else?”