Page 12 of Claimed By the Villain

She hits send—and I’m pretty sure it’s just to keep from chickening out.

God, I love this girl.

Wait a second…

“Mr. Marshall?Is your William by any chance the grandson of your employer?”

“Yeah. I know what you’re going to say—we come from different worlds.”

“That’s as obvious as the sunrise, but if the jerk’s already stolen your heart, what’s the harm in losing a few more pieces of it? Now let’s dance. Soon you’ll find out whether he feels more than just desire.”

“Coming after me actually means something?”

“Oh, you better believe it. Guys as rich as I assume he is don’t chase women. They have them falling at their feet by the dozen.”

She checks her phone again, not fully believing anything will come of it.

“Take me dancing, Jackie, or I’ll end up staring at my screen like a psycho.”

Over an hour later, as we stop by the bathroom, she shows me three new messages.

“If I had heart issues, I’d be dead right now,” she says after reading the first one.

“From William?”

“Yeah.”

I give her a high five.

“What do they say?”

“He’s waiting for me in the VIP lounge—third floor. I’ll tell him you’re with me.”

“Absolutely not. I was not born to be the third wheel, baby. Don’t worry about me—I’ll figure out a way to get home.”

I guess my destiny is spending the weekend with a tub of ice cream and Netflix.

Well… at least one of us is getting lucky tonight.

She texts him back saying she’ll be up soon, then asks for directions and gives me a quick goodbye kiss.

“Going back to your ex again?” she asks.

God, I wish. If only she knew there’s no ex.

“Oh, no. I don’t make the same mistake twice. If he were good for me, he wouldn’t be an ex. Have fun—and don’t forget the condom.”

“Oh my God.”

“Don’t be such a small-town girl,” I say, half teasing, half serious—because I’m pretty sure she’s still very innocent. “Go on and tame your tycoon, but if he acts like a jerk, come back to me. I’ll be on the dance floor for at least another hour.”

I’ve just made up my mind. I’m not giving up tonight. Maybe this is the nighthefinally shows up.

Or maybe I’ll meet someone, fall in love, and forget my obsession for good.

“Okay. Got gum? I think I have cocktail breath,” she says.

I pull a mint gum from my bag and hand it to her.