Page 30 of Black Tie Billionaire
Eleven
“Ifeel like a zoo animal in a cage,” Shay muttered, lifting a glass of white wine to her lips. “They could at least be subtler about the staring.”
Gideon arched an eyebrow, scanning the large formal living room. Several pairs of eyes met, then slid away from his, caught ogling the newest couple in their midst. Satisfaction whispered through him. He’d accepted this particulardinner party invitation because of who would be in attendance. Not just business associates, but members of the social circle Shay was intricately a part of. Talk of their appearance together would rush through Chicago’s society elite like a brush fire.
“They’re wondering why you’re with the beast,” he said.
“Probably.”
He snorted at her quick agreement, earning a dazzling smile fromher. He had to hand it to her—Shay was a brilliant actress. As soon as they’d crossed the threshold into Janet and Donald’s mansion, she’d immediately charmed his client and her husband. And though he knew the truth behind their arrangement, even he could almost believe Shay was smitten with him. Small, but intimate touches to his arm and chest. Gentle teasing. Special smiles. Yes, she deservedan award for her performance.
And as their hosts approached them, and she slid her arm through his, her soft breast pressing into side, he ordered his dick to stand down for about the fifty-fifth time...in two hours.
If he was a better man, he would insert some distance between them, not enjoy the sensual lure of her scent. Or savor each time he settled a palm at the small of her back—aback covered only by the same sheer material that “covered” her shoulders and arms. She was sex and class in this dress that skimmed every delicious curve.
Damn if the heat from her didn’t seep into his palm and ignite every greedy need to stroke her skin, sift his fingers through the thick, dark strands of her hair...claim her saint-and-sinner body for his own.
The only woman to havestirred this unprecedented reaction in him had been Camille. It unsettled him. The mysterious waitress was no longer in his life. But Shay... Everything about her tested his control, his reason, his plans.
How he kept touching her when every rule of logic demanded he keep all displays of affection public to cement the facade of a happy, in-love couple. How she challenged him with those flashesof temper when no one except his best friend and business partner dared. How she surprised him with things like working in a food truck. How he couldn’t jettison the sense that there was something familiar about her...
And then there was his jewelry on her wrist. The gold and rubies gleamed against her skin like sunlight and fire. And that fierce surge of possessiveness that had blindsidedhim in the car swelled within him again. He braced himself against it.
This wasn’t the first time he’d bought a woman jewelry. Hell, the amount he’d bought Madison could have filled a store and still left enough diamonds to pay for a small city. He’d gone into the store this time intending to purchase a necklace or earrings, something that screamed wealth. But none of the pieces had felt...right.So he’d left, and instead had driven to a smaller jeweler. One where he’d bought his grandmother’s birthday gift. And the bangles had been there, waiting. He hadn’t intended to purchase something so personal to him, so...intimate, for what should’ve been just a flashy statement of ownership, with the sole purpose of making others take note. But he had. And unlike almost everything in his life,he didn’t analyze it, instead going on impulse.
Because in that moment, as he’d handed his credit card over the counter, his need to see Shay wearing the pieces he’d personally chosen far outweighed caution.
And that need hadn’t abated.
As he slid his hand up her spine and cupped the nape of her neck, the need deepened, sharpened.
“I should be annoyed with both of you,” Janet Creightonsaid, her smile erasing the reproach from her words. Leaning forward, she dropped her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “But the two of you outing yourselves as a couple tonight has made my little dinner party the social event of the season.”
Shay smiled, glancing up at Gideon, and the warmth reflected in the gold-and-green depths of her eyes had his breath stumbling in his throat. “I toldGideon he should at least give you some warning of who his plus one would be, but...” She tipped her head to the side and murmured, “The rumors are true about that stubborn nature of his.”
“I find myself giving in to you way too often, though. My reputation might not survive it,” he replied, squeezing her neck and bringing her closer, brushing his lips over the side of her head.
Her fingernailsbit into his arm, and he barely managed to fight back a groan. The tiny prick of pain echoed lower in his body, and he locked his jaw against asking her to do it again. But harder.
“You shouldn’t let me know I’m a weakness,” she teased, but only he caught the undercurrent of faint sarcasm. “I might be tempted to take advantage.”
“I might be tempted to let you,” he rejoined softly.
Silence thrummed between them, taut and tension-filled. Their gazes clashed, tangled, locked. The pretense seemed all too real. As did the desire that flared inside him, the excitement that flashed through him, as bright and hot as a bolt of lightning. What would she do if he lowered his head and took her soft mouth? Would she jerk away from him? Or would she use their act as an excuse to surrender,to let him taste her?
“Well, damn.” Janet’s awed, but amused whisper infiltrated the haze of arousal that had clouded him and his judgment.Damn it,he silently swore, returning his attention to his client. This was a facade, an act. One he’d set in motion. He couldn’t afford to forget that. “Honey, I need you to take notes.”
Beside Janet, her husband snorted lightly. “We’ve been marriedthirty-two years. My hand is cramped.”
Shay’s laughter drew more gazes in their direction, and Gideon smiled, both at the other couple and the pure delight in Shay’s amusement.
“Dinner is almost ready,” Janet said, shaking her head and throwing Donald a mock-irritated glance. “Let’s go, you.”
“That went well,” Shay murmured, as soon as they were out of earshot. She slowly releasedhis arm. “You can let go of me now.”
Instead of obeying, he turned into her body, his hold on her drawing her closer until her breasts brushed his chest. He caught her sharp gasp, felt the puff against the base of his throat. Tiny flickers danced under his skin at that spot.
She stiffened, and he softly tsked, lowering his voice so it carried only as far as her ears. “You’re supposed toenjoy my touch, Shay. Want more of it. But definitely not shy away from it.” When she lifted her hands and settled them at his waist under his jacket, her fingernails digging into his skin through his shirt, he didn’t hold back his low rumble of hunger. “I think you’re intending to punish me, moonbeam,” he growled above her mouth, pinching her chin with his free hand and tilting her head back. “ButI don’t mind a bit of pain with my pleasure. Would you sink those claws in deeper if I asked nicely?”
