Page 213 of Lovers' Dance: Vol. 2

When they arrived, Bella was abuzz over the prospect of outsmarting some unsuspecting fool at whatever high-stakes game was taking place. Nathan, completely besotted by his animated wife, convinced her to have a cocktail with him in the private members lounge. He was on his second, while Bella still sipped her first, when he heard someone approach from behind. His wife’s mouth stretched wide with familiarity, but he knew each of her smiles and the one on her face only appeared if dealing with someone she barely tolerated.Nathan stiffened as a hand landed on his shoulder and he turned in his seat to peer up at the clearly inebriated man.

“Nathan. Fucking hell, it’s good to see you, chap.”

A bemused look flickered across his features before Nathan rose to his feet with a genial hand outstretched. “Sloan, how are you?”

“Good,” Sloan pumped his hand up and down quickly. “Great actually.”

“Yes,” Nathan agreed wryly. “We can see that.”

Sloan dropped his hand, moving towards Bella. “And you, just look at you. I haven’t seen you since that charity function at your parents’ estate last year.” He winked at Nathan. “Lucky bastard.”

Bella rose to her feet slowly and her smile never once wavered. “Sloan, you flatter me,” Allowing him the opportunity to kiss both her cheeks, Bella chuckled lightly. “You smell like a brewery, darling. How many hours have you been here?”

Nathan knew her laugh was forced. He immediately glanced at his watch, five minutes should sufficiently cover the required polite conversation. Five minutes and he would chase Sloan away.

Dashing his hand through his unkempt black hair, which was much too long for a respectable man, Sloan tried to stand up straight. Nathan shared an amused glance with his wife as their unexpected interruption attempted to tuck his badly rumpled shirt into the waist band of his trousers.

“I, ah, left my dinner jacket in one of the rooms,” he explained. “Been having a well-deserved drink tonight.”

“This morning,” Bella corrected in a charming tone.

Sloan beamed at her. “Yes, yes. Time has marched on since I arrived. What are you two doing here? Shall I call for some more drinks?” He spun around, wobbled, and would have fallen if not for Nathan’s firm grip on his arm.

“Steady on there.” Nathan laughed.

Flashing them a grin as he shrugged Nathan off, Sloan tottered in the direction of the lounge’s bar then turned back. “What are you drinking? Never mind, they’ll know at the bar.”

“It’s fine, Sloan,” Nathan declined the offer. “We only stopped in for a quick one.”

“No,” Sloan said, one finger raised. “I won’t hear of it. I’ll be right back.”

Watching him hurrying away, both Nathan and Bella stifled theirgroans.

“I heard he’s wasted the majority of his trust fund,” Bella murmured as she slid closer to Nathan. “His mother refuses to release another penny of his remaining inheritance until he stops his behaviour. His younger brother is much more level-headed. Poor woman. If our son ever turned out to be such a-”

“Bella,” Nathan bristled in offense. “Richard wouldneverturn out like Sloan.”

“I’m teasing, darling,” She slipped her arm through his.

“Hmph, it’s not funny.” Nathan chastised. “And how do you know about the state of Sloan’s affairs anyway? He’s one of Louisa’s, ahem, more colourful friends, and you try to avoid people with that title.”

Bella blinked coquettishly at him then smirked. “Your mother is a font of knowledge when it comes to knowing other people’s business.”

Nathan took no offense at her statement, in fact, his chin lifted with a proud tilt. “And so she should be. Did you think her position in my family’s company was in name only?”

He tutted in faux disappointment and Bella let out a delicate snort of amusement. Motioning to their chairs, Nathan waited for her to be seated before pulling his chair closer to hers.

“Here he comes,” Bella whispered with a roll of hazel eyes.

“With a very pleasant looking member of staff in tow.” Nathan mused. He waited for the expected reaction from his wife, it flattered his ego whenever she showed the slightest hint of jealousy.

“Indeed.” Bella agreed, shocking him by her lack of concern.

“Bels?” Nathan hissed. “Didn’t you hear me? I said-”

She hid her laugh behind her hand, eyes twinkling with mirth. “Oh Nate, I love you to bits. Thank you for this.”

Nathan beamed, reaching over to grab her free hand. “You’re welcome.”

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