few degrees. She stood on her toes and planted the softest kiss on my lips. Her exotic perfume snaked its way to my nostrils and turned my mind to mush.
I frowned, not at all happy about her wearing the seductive swaddle of fabric barely hiding her assets in public. It mattered more than I cared to admit. Jealousy swarmed my gut and found a resting place in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed to clear the dryness in my throat, trying to rein it in and act like the mature man she expected me to be.
“I’m going to be the envy of every man there.” No fucking kidding.
She smiled knowingly. Fuck. This was doing my head in.
“I will kill any fucker who tries to touch you. You are mine only. Remember that.”
“You keep reminding me, so how can I forget?” She winked playfully.
“You’re impossible to resist, Eva. I’m not the only one who’s going to burn with desire for you tonight.”
She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, her eyes wide and round as a pink color spread over her neck and cheeks.
“Shall we go . . . before I change my mind?” I said tersely in a brusque voice.
She hooked her arm through mine. “I’m ready if you are.”
If only she knew how badly I wanted to stay here instead. The pit of my stomach roiled, turning acid at the thought of other fuckers devouring her with their eyes, wanting her.
We drove in relative silence, both deep in thought. I couldn’t fathom these strange feelings that were eating at me. I’d never cared what any of my dates had worn before, so why was Eva affecting me this way tonight? It didn’t make sense.
Just enjoy the moment.
Just enjoy being the man who has Eva on his arm, and fuck the rest.
Eva’s voice cut through my thoughts. “What’s so funny?” she asked.
I hadn’t realized I was chuckling out loud. Christ, I was definitely losing the plot here.
I pulled up at the valet parking before I answered. “I'm just imagining the look on the senator’s face when he sees you on my arm,” I said smugly.
She drew in a sharp breath. “Nolan? Nolan’s going to be here?” Her eyes widened as her mouth hung slightly open. “Why didn’t you tell me before now?”
“Fuck. I just assumed you would know he’d be here. This is an annual awards ceremony. Of course the dickhead’s going to attend.”
Her back stiffened. “I wouldn’t have come if I’d known.”
“Well, I don’t want to be here either. But since we’re here now . . .” I got out of the SUV and handed the keys to the valet driver as I made my way to her door.
I held out my hand and helped her from the vehicle. “Stay close to me, baby. Nolan won’t bother you,” I said as I tucked her hand under my arm and steered her toward the entrance, my hand firmly on the exposed skin of her back.
If the fucker knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay far, far, far away.
The event was well attended and the room was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. In the far corner a string quartet was playing yet it was hardly audible over the chatter of voices. I grabbed two glasses of champagne from the smartly dressed waiter’s tray and handed one to Eva. The young man was grinning and making eyes at Eva, so I thanked him curtly and guided her further into the room with my hand possessively in the small of her back.
Eva let out a long breath as we reached our table without bumping into anyone we knew. Frowning, I scanned the seats—each one of them was filled already. I motioned for a waitperson to come over and fix the problem as everyone at the table turned to us.
A woman with far too much makeup, who was showing more cleavage than necessary, spoke up. “Oh, you’re the chosen couple tonight. Senator Parker requested that you sit at his table. Aren’t you lucky?”
Eva’s smile slipped off her face as the news hit her. Her fingers dug into my arm. “Harrison,” she groaned. “I can’t.”
My eyes burned into hers. The fucker knew already. He was expecting us.
I pulled her closer to me, my arm snaking around her waist. I spoke into her ear. “It's going to be fine. Let’s show the senator what he’s missing, yeah? You can do this, Eva.”
Her back straightened. “Okay. But please let’s not stay long—”
“Baby, I have every intention