“I’ll be back, Marie.” I turned away and weaved through the growing crowd, looking for somewhere—anywhere—that I could be alone.
I managed to find a standalone glass dome that was set up for the silent auction and closed the flap behind me.
Dante’s name crossed my screen with a phone call a second later, but I hit ignore.
He called again and I treated him to the same response.
It’s what you deserve, asshole…
Taking several deep breaths, I debated listening to the special celebrity guest band or abandoning the event altogether so I could?—
Knock! Knock! Knock!
“Someone’s in here!” I called out. “Be out in a second!”
KNOCKKKK. KNOCKKK. KNOCKKKK.
I shrugged and continued silently debating to myself.
Within seconds, the door opened, revealing a red-faced Dante. He slammed it shut, glaring at me.
“You want totalk?” He hissed. “Let’s fucking talk then.”
“Go talk to your fucking date,” I said. “She looks like she’s seconds away from slobbering all over your cock in front of everyone.”
“Are you projecting?”
“No, I’m protecting myself.” I crossed my arms. “Leave me alone and go be with your secret girlfriend.”
“She’s not a secret girlfriend.”
“I’m aware,” I said. “I’m just the last to know apparently.”
“What the fuck are you talking about, Chloe?”
“You invited someone else to be your date instead of me and I honestly thought?—”
“You thoughtwhat?”
“It doesn’t matter. I should’ve gotten the hint when you just stopped talking to me these past few days.”
“Jesus Christ…” He sucked in a breath and strolled toward me. “For the record, you are the most difficult woman I’ve ever met, and I don’t appreciate you—once again—trying to make me look bad in public.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
“You made me run off out of nowhere and dodge through fucking trees and bushes so no one could see where I was going.”
“Sounds like you did that to yourself.”
“Stop fucking talking.” He slammed his hands against the glass above my head. “I’m not done yet…”
I swallowed as he caged me between his arms, as the glare in his eyes made it clear that I shouldn’t press my luck with him tonight.
“That woman is one of the other guests of honor, Chloe,” he said, speaking slowly. “There are four of us, and it’s typical for us all to arrive together.”
“Lusty ‘I want to fuck you’ eyes and all?”
“I’m not responsible for the effect I have on other women.” Heat radiated off him in waves. “And I could’ve sworn I made it crystal clear I wanted you to be here tonight with me. Did I not?”