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I’m dangerously close to offering mine up for pennies.
His big palm lands on my nape beneath my hair, and he strokes the skin there like a doting husband before he leans over and brushes his lips on my cheek.
My breath stutters and a fiery warmth explodes where his mouth touches my skin.
As he rises to his full height, I feel the redness spreading on my face.
“You have company, beautiful.”
Even though I recognize he’s putting on a public persona, a shiver crawls into my belly whenever he calls me by that nickname.
“Vance Elliot.” My friend stands and offers his hand to Eli above my head.
If I thought Creighton was unnecessarily rough, I’m scared my husband will break the poor man’s bones with how firmly he squeezes.
“Eli King,” he says in a tone that doesn’t betray the darkness in his eyes. “I see you’ve been keeping my wife company.”
“We met by coincidence.”
“I’m sure. She has a lot of coincidences in her life.”
“V is an old friend.” Whom he’s met countless times, including the night he broke my heart. But to expect Eli to remember people is beyond absurd.
“I hope I’m not intruding,” Vance says with his usual gentlemanly smile.
“You perfectly are,” Eli says without missing a beat.
“In that case, I’ll take my leave.” Vance buttons his jacket and smiles again at me. “Let’s meet up sometime, Ava. Don’t be a stranger.”
He leaves and, immediately, the waiter clears his plates. Before he disappears, I stand up.
Eli tightens his grip on my nape and whispers in my ear, “Sit the fuck down.”
“No,” I murmur back, then, armed with the knowledge that we’re in public, I elbow him and run after Vance.
I catch up to him by the steps leading upstairs and touch his arm. He turns around with his usual welcoming expression. “Everything okay?”
“I’m sorry about Eli. He can be…”
“Territorial?”
“I was going to say a prick.” I smile. “Please don’t be offended, V.”
“It’d take more than that to offend me. Especially when it comes to you.”
“That makes me so happy.”
“Which can’t be said about your husband, I suppose.”
I swallow. “I am happy.”
“You don’t even smile anymore.”
“I’m smiling.”
“It’s not as cheerful as before.”
“There’s that thing called growing up. It sucks.”
