Even now as hegrabbed her, controlled her, she enjoyed it. She didn’t know how it hadhappened, but she’d gotten Gabriel’s attention. Part of her was afraid of whatthat meant exactly, but another didn’t care. She liked the edge of not knowing,the surprise.
He cupped hercheek, tilting her head back. His gaze was on her lips. “You’re not going to bewith anyone else but me.”
“I know.”
“Good. Rememberthat when you’re at the party with me. You’ll be on my arm. No other man willknow who you belong to, but I will know. At the end of the night, Rhianna willbe taken home, and you, you’re going to come with me.”
Chapter Seven
Claire lookedstunning. There was no other word for it. She lit up the entire room. Gabrielcouldn’t look away.
“Tell me again whyall the press are here?” Rhianna asked.
“It’s an event witha lot of political and business people. If theyweren’t here, it would be a problem.”
“Tell me whyyou’re so important.”
“I’m abusinessman, Rhianna. Play nice. I don’t want to have to send you home lookingall miserable because you couldn’t do as you’re told.”
His sisterproceeded to stick her tongue out and then walk off as if she owned the place.No matter how much he tried to keep her reserved, she seemed content to simplydo her own thing. “You haven’t spoken since we got here,” he said, looking atthe gorgeous woman on his arm.
He was going tohave to kill his sister. The dress, well, any man within a mile of his womanwas going to be drooling. Maybe he should convince his sister to do something inregard to fashion? It was a possibility, and then he wouldn’t have to worry ordeal with her being in his life every second of every day.
“I don’t have alot to say,” she said.
Her hands wereclenched at her sides. She looked nervous. Taking her hand, he threaded it aroundhis arm with a smile. “Don’t be nervous. They can always tell if you’renervous.”
“I reallyshouldn’t be here, Gabriel.”
“You’re here tomake me look good.”
“I’m going to makea fool of myself.”
“You’re not. Iwon’t leave you alone. How about that? I’ll keep you at my side all night?”
She nibbled on herlip, still seeming nervous. He squeezed her hand.
“No, it’s fine. Ican handle this.”
Gabriel moved herto an alcove. Placing one hand above her head, he cupped her thigh. “You don’thave to handle anything while I’m around,” he said. “I’ll take care of you.” Heslid his hand beneath the fabric of her skirt and wished they were back at hisplace. There was no way in hell he was going to analyze why he considered it theirplace. It was his place. She was merely his plaything.
She tilted herhead back and he stared at her full lips. They’d look so good wrapped aroundhis dick. With the way he held her, he couldn’t touch her face, and with theiraudience, there sure as fuck was no way to push her toher knees. Later tonight though.
“Gabriel, I can’trely on you. Our time is running out.” She pressed her body against his. “Andright now, you need to back up before someone thinks something that’s not thecase.” She moved away from him.
Her shoulders weresquare and she looked tense. Out in the room, she had an air of authority,confidence. She was faking it for all of them. This wasn’t her domain but likea true survivor, she wasn’t going to show any weakness.
He just wanted totake her to the nearest room and fuck her until shescreamed his name. As a waitress passed, he took a glass of champagne. Thewoman stopped, giving him the eye that told him he’d be in for a good time withher, but he wasn’t interested. The only woman he wanted had taken her own glassand stood in the center of the room, watching, listening, and looking stunning.
Rather than invadeher air of confidence, he kept her in his sights. It wasn’t long before he wasapproached by a budding politician. So far, the man in front of him had onlymade his political intentions in private but if he waswilling to fund him, he’d make sure his life would run smoothly for anybusiness venture he needed. Gabriel had dealt with a lot of men who wanted hismoney. It was all with an agenda and the only way he parted with cash was tomake his life easier.
Greed was easierto deal with.
Out of the cornerof his eye, he saw someone he didn’t recognize approach Claire. Rhianna hadalso joined her. He gritted his teeth as the man placed a hand at the base ofClaire’s back and walked her onto the dance floor.
That was his back,on his woman, and no one should be touching her but him. Another man dancedwith his sister. Finishing off his champagne, he left the conversation going onaround him midway through. He wasn’t interested in whatever they had to say. Theman with Claire had his hand way too close to her ass and if he wasn’t careful,he was about to commit murder. No one touched his woman.
“Leave,” he said,wrapping his arm around Claire’s waist and glaring at the man.
“Let the lady decidewho she wants to dance with,” the fucker said.
“Let me make onething clear for you, this will not end well. You don’t know who you’re messingwith.”
Claire tensed inhis arms. She let go of the man and spun in his arms. “It’s fine. I’ll dancewith you.”
He continued toglare at the man behind her.
“You don’t have toput up with this shit.”
Claire glancedback and smiled. “It’s fine.”
“She belongs tome.” Rhianna was far enough away not to hear. He hoped the bastardargued with him, made a move, did anything that would make him have toretaliate, but he didn’t. He simply stepped back and left, which annoyed him.
“Did you have todo that?” she asked.
“You’re mine.”
“We were dancing.”
“His hand was waytoo close to your ass.”
She let her handsgo. “He was being a gentleman, and he didn’t touch my ass. I told him I wasn’tcomfortable with his hand on my bare back, so he was being polite. Ugh, I’mjust a fuck to you anyway, I don’t know why itmatters.” She
