Almost the second we arrived, you took off.
I had to hunt you down and when I did, you were dancing with that prick."
"Martin is Stanton's nephew!" And since Richard Stanton was my stepdad, I thought of Martin as family.
"I don't care if he's a damned priest.
He wants to nail you."
"Oh my God.
That's absurd! Stop deflecting.
You were talking business with your associates.
It was awkward standing there.
For them as well as me."
"That's your place, awkward or not!"My head jerked back as if he'd slapped me.
"Come again?" "How would you feel if I walked away from you at a Waters Field and Leaman party because you started talking about a campaign? Then, when you found me, I was slow dancing with Magdalene?" "I - " God.
I hadn't thought of it like that.
Gideon appeared smooth and unruffled with his powerful frame lounging against the door, but I could sense the anger vibrating beneath that calm surface.
He was riveting always, but most especially when he was seething with passion.
"It's my place to stand beside you, and support you, and yes, just f**king look pretty on your arm sometimes.
It's my right, my duty, and my privilege, Eva, just as it's yours in reverse."
"I thought I was doing you a favor by getting out of the way."
His arched brow was a silent, sarcastic comeback.
My arms crossed in front of me.
"Is that why you walked off with Corinne? Were you punishing me?" "If I wanted to punish you, Eva, I'd take you over my knee."
My gaze narrowed.
That was never going to happen.
"I know how you get," he said curtly.
"I didn't want you jealous over Corinne before I had a chance to explain.
I needed a few minutes to make sure she understood how serious you and I are, and how important it was to me that you enjoy the evening.
That's the only reason I walked away with her."
"You told her not to say anything about you two, didn't you? You told her to keep quiet about what she is to you.
Too bad Magdalene screwed that up."
And maybe Corinne and Magdalene had planned it that way.