far from a secret that Daphne and Noah had hooked up a few times, that she had had him in her bed more consecutive nights than any other woman in town could say. And the way her long fingers curled around his bicep possessively as she dragged him back to the dance floor, she knew it.
His smile was tight as he took her in his arms, but then she said something to make him laugh — really laugh — and seconds later, he was spinning her around the same way he had me.
I tore my eyes away, ignoring the sinking in my stomach and smiling at Anthony as he wrapped me in his arms. I started to waltz, but Anthony’s face screwed up in confusion before he slowed us into a gentle sway like the rest of the patrons.
Except for Noah and Daphne.
“What’s up with that Noah guy, anyway?” Anthony asked, noticing that my gaze had shifted again.
I snapped my attention to him, frowning in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Did you two used to date or something?” He was eyeing Noah menacingly, like he could somehow squash him like a bug with that look.
“Of course not,” I assured him, shaking my head. “We’re just friends.”
“Friends,” Anthony murmured, watching Noah a long moment before he turned his gaze to me. “Before, he was just the guy who showed you the barrel. Now you’re best buds.”
“Don’t be like that,” I said, voice low. “I’m yours, okay?” I held up my hand with the Harry Winston diamond on it to prove my point. “Yours. No one else’s.”
Anthony let out a long breath, nodding as a smile bloomed on his face. “I’m sorry. I guess you just bring out the possessive side in me.”
I smiled at that. “Guess that means you like me, huh?”
Anthony kissed me long and slow, stopping our dance altogether so he could frame my face.
And somewhere across the room, I felt another pair of eyes on me.
Later that night, when we were back at my parents’ house, Anthony strengthened a kiss between us, turning that sweet and romantic one from the dance floor into one heated with passion. He peppered my neck with hot, sucking kisses, his hands roaming, breath picking up speed in the hallway outside my bedroom.
“Anthony…” I sighed, pressing my hands into his chest to stop his advances. “I think we should wait.”
“Wait?” he asked, one brow cocking. “I took your virginity a month after we met, Ruby Grace. I think we’re past waiting.”
He moved in again, and though I chuckled, I felt a shade of embarrassment leak into my gut at his words. “I mean that we’re sleeping in my parents’ house, and we get married in five weeks.” I shrugged, running my finger over his chest. “I don’t know, it might be kind of fun to pretend. Go the traditional route. Wait until our wedding night.”
Anthony’s face screwed up like he thought that was the most ridiculous thing he’d ever heard, but as his eyes searched mine, he blew out a long sigh, dropping his forehead to my shoulder with a groan. “Fine.”
I chuckled, patting his head like he was a child.
“I’d do anything for you,” he said, lifting his head. He ran the pad of his thumb over my chin, pulling me in for a long, sweet kiss. “And you’re worth the wait.”
I swallowed, smiling through the unfamiliar discomfort I felt. He was my fiancé, I used to squirm under his touch, anticipating more.
Now, I wanted to crawl out of my skin.
“Thank you,” I whispered, kissing him again, this time with my hands in his hair and pulling him closer. I wanted to erase the discomfort, convince myself it was just pre-wedding jitters, or the overstimulation of the day.
I love him, I told myself as we kissed. And I knew it was true.
I just couldn’t place the other emotion that I felt.
“Okay, okay,” he said, breaking our kiss and smacking my butt playfully. “Stop kissing me like that if you’re not going to put out, little lady.”
I giggled, pecking his cheek once more before I let him go. “I’m going to take a shower and get some sleep. See you at breakfast in the morning?”
“See you then. And, hey,” he said, sweeping my hair from my face. “You were wonderful tonight. I’m so lucky to have a woman like you standing behind me.”
My throat tightened again at the phrasing he used. I knew what he meant, that I was by his side, his partner