Page 33 of Strange Seduction (Strange #2)

I leaned slightly over the display, pretending to inspect the model. My neckline dipped just enough to keep his eyes exactly where I wanted them. Predictable.

“What’s that?” I asked, pointing toward the carved detailing along one of the walls—an element I’d actually helped Theo choose.

“Ah,” the man said, peering closer. “Those are etched design features. The architect added them for texture. It’s actually…pretty well made.”

“I think so too,” I nodded. “It makes the whole thing look…timeless. Especially with those big windows.”

He leaned in, warming to the performance. “Yes, yes… this is very good work indeed—”

“What’s very good work?” another voice cut in.

We both looked up to see a visibly balding man approaching.

“None of your concern,” the first man snapped. “I’m educating this young lady on the details of this model.”

The newcomer took a long, calculating look at the display. Then at me. Then back to the pervy man with thick glasses.

“It is well done,” he said slowly. “But I’d rather hear from the actual architect, Martin. Not an idiot.”

Glasses flushed a dangerous shade of red. “The only idiot here is you, Jack-ass .”

And just like that, they were off.

Doubt: Guess this is Martin and Jack?

Looks that way.

Their raised voices drew over a small cluster of investors, eager to watch the alpha standoff. I stepped aside with a demure smile, letting them battle it out like toddlers.

“Whoa, whoa—fellas. Let’s not argue in front of the lady,” one of the older men said, stepping between Jack and Martin.

“It’s that clown’s doing, sir,” Jack snapped, smoothing his jacket. “I was just trying to admire this display.”

The lead gentleman stepped closer to the table.

Closer to me .

He leaned in, his breath grazing my cheek, and for a second, I wondered if he was about to kiss me.

My eyes drifted behind him, right to Theo.

He stood cool and detached next to an amused Carter, sipping his drink as he watched the scene unfold with unreadable calm.

His gaze met mine, and I took note of how tightly he gripped his cup.

I took a noticeable step back from the man before the cup ended up at his temple.

I felt eyes on me.

They burned into the side of my skull as I tried to focus on the task at hand.

But the stare made my neck hot, and I finally scanned the room.

My glare landed on a very annoyed Vince standing at the back of the room.

I didn’t even know he was here this evening.

I hadn’t seen him since that day in his office, and I wondered if Theo did something to him that made him look at me with so much… irritation.

I don’t want you around Vince anymore.

Theo’s words rang in my ear. I looked away from Vince because it didn’t matter what happened between Theo and him. Theo said to avoid Vince, and I was gonna respect that.

My loyalty lay with him. Always.

The man beside me squinted at the polished plaque detailing the specs and credits of the display.

“Clayton, huh? I thought he only did hotels.”

“Clayton did this?” Martin asked, half-shocked. “I thought he retired.”

“It’s his son.”

“The emo?”

I bit back a laugh.

Martin turned toward the crowd. “Hey Craig—come take a look at what Clayton’s kid is working on!”

And just like that, the table became ground zero for a full-on pissing contest. A swarm of buttoned-up men circled the model, voices climbing over one another in debate.

Shouting. Gesturing. Arguing over design theory like they hadn’t ignored it five minutes ago.

A whole testosterone-fueled, big-wallet dick-measuring contest—and I wanted absolutely no part of it.

Then someone shouted over the chaos: “Where’s Clayton? Tell him to get his ass over here!”

Perfect.

My job was done.

I turned to slip away, heels clicking toward the bar, when a hand caught my arm. I didn’t even need to look to know it was him.

Theo leaned in, breath warm at my ear. “I’m gonna fuck you so hard when we get home.”

I turned to meet his eyes, lips twitching with amusement. “Promise?”

He grinned.

And I walked off, hips swaying, already counting down the minutes.

˙???˙

After all the projects were pitched and investors had staked their claims, the energy in the room began to settle. The crowd thinned, conversations softened, and the DJ slowed the music into something background-worthy.

The party was winding down.

I was five glasses of champagne deep and officially horny.

Theo looked so damn good commanding that group of investors earlier. His voice was smooth, and that presence was impossible to ignore. I kept replaying the way he took control.

I wanted that. Wanted him , all over me.

All the hard work was done. The company’s proposals were funded. His personal project had been claimed. The checks were written. The ink was dry.

Now? I just wanted to go home.

I made my way through the thinning crowd toward where he stood, surrounded by three men I vaguely recognized from his office. Couldn’t tell you their names, though. Didn’t care to remember them.

I reached up and tapped Theo’s shoulder.

“Can we go now?” I asked, not bothering to lower my voice. “I wanna have sex.”

His eyes shot wide like I swore in church. His hand gripped my arm instantly, and he guided me a few steps away from the group.

“You know, you’re louder than you think you are,” he hissed under his breath.

I shrugged. “I don’t care. I’m drunk, I’m hot, and my panties are soaked. Call the car.”

“Carmen,” he warned, rubbing a hand down his jaw. “I’m still working.”

“Call. The. Car.”

“I can’t just stop doing my job to roll around in bed with you.”

I pouted. “But you promised.”

His gaze softened for a split second, then hardened again.

“I know, baby. And as soon as I’m done here, I’ll take you home and put you through the fucking mattress. But for now, you’ll have to wait.”

I blew out a long breath and turned on my heel with a stomp. “Fine!”

Before I could get two steps away, his hand shot out and caught my waist, pulling me into his chest. His lips dipped to my ear.

“Fix that attitude before I fix it for you,” he growled.

Goosebumps.

“Please fix it,” I murmured, eyes fluttering. “That’s exactly what I want.”

He pressed his hips forward, and I felt the heat of his bulge against my ass.

“Be careful what you wish for, Sweetness.”

“Show me,” I whispered, hand sliding down to cup him through his slacks. “Show me why I should be careful.”

He exhaled sharply, biting down a groan.

“Fifteen minutes,” he said tightly. “We leave in fifteen. Can you wait that long?”

I nodded. Barely.

“I have to go pee,” I muttered, and turned toward the bathroom, my thighs clenched with every step.

I had just made it to the hallway outside the ballroom, the ache between my legs making it hard to walk straight—well, that and the champagne. I pushed through a door marked Ladies , did what I came to do, fixed my makeup, then stepped out into the dim corridor.

And ran right into Vince.

He was leaning against the opposite wall like he’d been waiting.

Great.

“Hey,” he said, pushing off the wall.

“Hey?” I blinked. “What are you doing out here?”

“I wanted to talk to you. Just for a second.”

I folded my arms. “Now?”

“Yes, now. You haven’t been by the office in a while, so I had to come over when I saw you come in here.”

“Theo isn’t gonna like you following me to the damn bathroom.”

“Yeah, well. He isn’t gonna like what I say next either.” He looked nervous, almost boyish—something I never noticed before. Maybe because I never cared to. “I like you, Carmen.”

Doubt: Oh shit!

My brows shot up. “What?”

“I have feelings for you,” he said, voice low like it was supposed to soften the blow.

Doubt: I told you to leave his crazy ass alone.

“No, you don’t,” I said with finality. “You don’t know me well enough to have feelings for me. I can count our interactions on one hand.”

“You think I don’t know that?” he said roughly. “You think I didn’t want you all to myself the moment I saw you for the first time in that office? You think I haven’t been fighting against every nerve in my body that screams at me to—”

He cut himself off and straightened. “He’s keeping you from me, Carmen.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, genuinely confused. “Where is this coming from? I can’t— You can’t— You were just looking at me like I pissed in your oatmeal not even an hour ago? Now you like me?”

“I was upset, Carmen.” he stepped closer, and I stepped back. “Seeing you up there, putting yourself on display like some game show host just to do his fucking bidding.”

I rolled my eyes. “He didn’t make me do anything; I offered to help when I saw his project needed help getting recognition.”

“And who the fuck do you think went out of their way to make sure that project doesn’t happen?”

Doubt: Oh wow.

“You?”

He nodded.

“What? Why?”

“Because he doesn’t need another thing taking his focus away from you.”

Doubt: Huh?

“Boy, what?”

He dragged a hand down his face, “I was willing to let you go, Carmen. Really. I thought, as long as you’re happy, it’s good enough for me. But running a company long distance and taking on this shit? You two will never last with all this shit on his plate.”

“It’s our business, Vincent. It’s our relationship,” I pressed. “It’s none of your business. Now get out of my way.”

“I don’t want you to leave with him.”

I shook my head and moved to step around him. “You crazy as hell.”

But he grabbed my waist.

I gasped as my back hit the wall. The chill of it cut through the champagne haze fast, but not fast enough. I was too drunk to push him off effectively, and he was so close.

“Please let me go,” I said, heart beginning to pound.

“I just want to explain myself,” he insisted.

“This is stupid ,” I snapped. “I’m with Theo. You met me through Theo. Do you know how fucked up this is?”

His face twisted. “He doesn’t deserve you.”

I glared up at him. “I’m not going to argue with you about this. It’s our relationship. We’re together. No matter how you feel about it.”

His eyes burned into mine for a long time before he dropped the bomb.

“He cheated on you, Carmen.”