Page 54 of Anton

Boone’s brows snap as his gaze darts between us. “Uh…hi?”

Anton doesn’t bother saying a word, just keeps staring at him with that dark, murderous glare.

Well, this is fun…

Boone lets out a nervous chuckle and glances at me, clearly waiting for an explanation for the terrifying man holding me like I’m his.

“Sorry. Uh…who are you?”

Anton’s mouth creeps up, and the hairs on the back of my neck rise just as Boone’s easy confidence falters.

I clear my throat, already scrambling to defuse this before it turns into something worse. “Boone, this is my fri⁠—”

“Boyfriend,” Anton answers instead.

My eyes pop as I turn toward him, but he pays me no mind, remaining focused on Boone like he’s waiting to see whether the man is stupid enough to challenge him.

“Oh.” Boone drags a hand through his hair, his stare shifting between us. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.”

“Neither did I,” I mutter.

Now that the message has sunk in, Boone eases back a step. “Well…I’ll leave you to your, uh, date.”

“That’s the smartest thing you’ve said today.” Anton’s tone remains calm, but the warning beneath has enough bite to make Boone grow stiff.

He gives a nod, then turns to me one last time. “See you, Thora.”

“Yeah…” I swallow, still trying to catch up with whatever the hell is happening. “See you.”

He walks away, and the booth seems to close in around us, leaving me acutely aware of Anton and the warmth of the arm he still has wrapped around me with no sign he plans to let go.

I pivot toward him, narrowing my gaze. “Care to explain what the hell that was about?”

He peers at me like he doesn’t have a care in the world. “What exactly needs explaining, printsessa?”

“Don’t act like you have no idea what I’m talking about.” I give a disbelieving shake of my head. “You called yourself my boyfriend. You have nothing else to say about that?”

“Net.”

I shove his arm off me. “Really? The last time I checked, we were barely friends. Or friends with benefits. I don’t even know what we are, so I don’t know why you’re telling people, especially people who know my family, that we’re dating.”

“Did you want him?”

I draw in a sharp breath when his fingers close around my chin and pull me nearer, his breath warming my lips.

“Did you want him to kiss you the way I can’t?”

My stomach flips as he lowers his mouth to my ear, the question leaving him in a low, husky murmur.

“Did you want him to touch your pussy? Have you fucked him, Thora?”

I shiver, my body tensing at the gravelly pitch of his tone while his arms hold me in place. “You don’t have any right to tell me what to do…or who to do it with.”

A laugh rumbles against my neck as his fingers travel higher along my inner thigh. “But I do. I told you what would happen if you touched another man. That includes flirting. Or maybe it is better if I show you so you never forget.”

He starts to rise like he’s about to go after Boone, and panic spikes through me.

“No.” I catch his shoulder and hold him back. “Don’t do something you’ll regret.”