Page 140 of Red King

I forgot about that. It’s what he used to call me, too. Pais-sweety.

Asshole.

I hate him. I don’t know what I ever saw in him. Jim is a prick. I feel sorry for Lexi, even though I’m sure she was his mistress before she became his wife. I’m pretty sure he’ll start cheating on her soon if he isn’t already. From the way she’s eyeballing Arctic, I would say that she’ll probably cheat, too. I mean, if she’s okay with sleeping with someone’s husband, then she has no scruples. As far as I’m concerned, they deserve one another.

Arctic pulls me in a little closer and looks down at me. “What do you say we get out of here?” He looks at me like I’m the only person on this planet, and for a second, I forget everyone and everything. “I was away on a business trip,” he tells Jim and Lexi. “I’ve missed this woman so much. I need to whisk her away and show her just how much.” He looks into Jim’s eyes as he says the last.

“So, you guys are serious, then?” Lexi asks, seemingly oblivious to the tension.

“Very,” Arctic says, his eyes still on Jim. He looks at Lexi and smiles. “I’ve asked Paisley to marry me, but she turned me down. I’m going to have to keep trying…every day until she says yes.”

“You do know that she’s infertile,” Jim blurts. “She’ll never give you children.”

Lexi gasps. “Jim. What’s gotten into you?”

“Paisley is perfect in every way. Every. Single. Fucking. Way. Good luck living with regrets.”

“What is he talking about?” Lexi asks Jim, frowning.

“I’ll see you, Lexi.” I smile at her as we walk away.

Lexi is frowning. “What did he mean by that, Jim?”

“Pais,” Jim calls out as I turn away.

“It’s Paisley,” I tell him, looking him in the eye. “Pais-ley,” I articulate, and then I turn and walk away. Arctic has his arm around me.

“Jim…” I hear Lexi; she sounds upset. I can’t find it in me to feel sorry for her.

I glance up, but Arctic has his eyes trained ahead. His entourage starts to surround us.

“Is it okay if we leave?” Arctic’s tone is completely neutral. I can’t read him.

I look over at the buffet table. Becs smiles and waves as soon as she catches me looking that way.

I wave back before locking eyes with Arctic. “Yes, we probably need to talk.”

“We definitely need to talk.” His voice is a deep rasp.

I know he was putting on a show back there. I know that none of this is real. I have no idea what the hell is going on.

He has a lot of explaining to do. Then again, so do I.

39

Arctic

Who the fuck is Reese?

Has Paisley been seeing someone else?

Reese, the accountant.Fuck!I swear I’ll find him and break him in two.

No! I won’t!

My dragon is being a problem. He’s so possessive, it’s scary. We’re on the Mainland. I need to stay calm. I can’t lose my shit, but the thought of another male anywhere near Paisley is fucking killing me.

We’re sitting in the back of the SUV. We’re both strapped in. Neither of us says a word for most of the trip. Not a single word. The air is super-charged.

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