Page 37 of Love Me Gently

“Very well,” Matteo said, “I’ll be back soon.” He brushed my fingers by as he passed, to which Steven hmphed.

“Truly, take your time. Our lovely lady will be more than occupied soon.”

Matteo, smart enough not to ask questions, moved away but did it slowly, glancing at me once he was behind Steven with his brows raised in questions and marked concern.

“What can I do for you?” I asked.

Steven stepped forward and wrapped his arm around my bicep. His grip hurt, and I flinched as his thumb and finger met and pinched the soft, tender skin of my inner bicep.

He proceeded to drag me along, barely giving me time to keep step with him in my four-inch, needle-thin stilettos.

“I have someone who is interested in meeting you. Do not let me down.”

The first came as surprise. The last came as a warning.

“Of course, Steven. Who?”

“Jonathan Wolf.”

“Who’s that?”

His grip on me tightened as he tugged me along. He also didn’t answer, leaving me confused and more than a little worried. I should have known better than to believe tonight would be a celebration and a night of fun.

When it came to Steven, I was nothing more than a toy or a pawn.

The only remaining question was how he planned to use me.

Jonathan Wolf was extraordinarily handsome,and that barely began to describe his good looks. He was older than me by at least a decade, most likely more, but he’d aged to perfection with a body that instantly stole my breath and a deep, rumbling tone that made my stomach flutter in wild ways I wouldn’t have expected. As Steven dragged me closer to a small cluster of men and women, all far older than me as well, it was Jonathan who stood out the most.

We were in a large ballroom with some of the most beautiful people in the world, models and celebrities included, but seeing Jonathan, with looks like his, I figured he was often the most seen person in any room.

I knew it was true because he might have been in discussions with those around him, but it was apparent he was the one holding court, and they were all fawning over him. I had no doubt this happened often when it came to him. As soon as Steven and I grew closer, almost close enough where I could call his name out loud, he turned, and our gazes met.

Wowzers. I trembled in my heels as that penetrating gaze landed on me. Eyes so dark they were the color of the night, his lips curled into a soft hint of a smile as his eyes scanned my face. Never once did they drop further down to my cleavage or the outline of body, obvious in my dress. Not even a flicker.

Classy. This man was beyond classy, and my unease at Steven forcing me to meet him dwindled as he excused himself from his group and closed the space between us in two quick strides.

“Steve.” He held out his hand. The men shook hands while I played the part Steven had instructed.

“Jonathan. Allow me to introduce Trina Mills to you. Trina, this is Jonathan Wolf.”

I leaned forward and forced my face to remain impassive. Hard to do with Steven’s fingers still digging into my bicep, and the gorgeousness that was in front of me.

I spent my days and nights and life with models, men who were extraordinarily good-looking, but something about this man in front of me took it to a whole different level. Perhaps because he wasn’t model pretty. Perhaps because he was definitely all man and masculinity wrapped up in a designer suit and a gold Rolex that appeared on his wrist as his hand extended to me.

“Jonathan,” he said, and the rumble of his voice covered me like a warm blanket. My hand shook as I held it out to him. “Trina, is it?”

“Yes, sir. Pleasure to meet you.”

His gaze skipped to Steven for a moment and his hand loosened from my arm. “I’ll leave you two to get acquainted. Enjoy yourself,” he said with a smile, but as he turned and met my eyes, his dark blue eyes went glassy in that way they did before he turned evil.

I swallowed and tipped my chin. I was to be good. Check that. I was to ensure I made Steven look good, regardless of what that meant for me.

With a lump forming in my throat, I turned back to Jonathan.

His coloring reminded me of a Viking. All hard edges and sculpted cheekbones. His hair was a sandy brown, longer and shaggier than most of the men in this room but his style still showed care and class. His lips were full, and his jawline had a sharp edge to it.

The man was far beyond anything I ever expected to see in a living, breathing male.

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