Page 34

damian

Talie was standing at the bar with her back to me as she spoke with Charlotte and a couple of other women who I recognized.

Most of their parents were in the same social circle as our family and we went to school with them.

The loud music made it impossible to hear their conversation, but my annoyance evaporated when my wife threw her head back, letting out a loud laugh.

I blew out a breath. After everything in our past, being near her still calmed me.

Even when she was trying to push all my buttons.

Rhyett slung his arm around my shoulders, leading me closer to Talie and Charlotte. “How was your meeting with your dad?”

“Great, as always,” I muttered. “Percy’s been running his mouth. We’ll have to talk to him.”

As if she could sense my presence, Talie glanced back, and instead of seeing the irritation I was expecting, she threw me a sinful smile.

I raised an eyebrow at her, wondering what the hell she was planning.

Ash came up, joining our small circle. Talie’s gaze slid to him as she pursed her lips. Something he didn’t miss.

Ash swiped his dirty blond hair out of his eyes, giving her a grin. “You’re not mad at me and Rhyett, are you, Talie?”

She bit her lip, not answering when she peeked at Char. Interesting . Even with my threat, I’d thought she would have told her sister about my business. But from her silence, I could tell she’d kept our first interaction on stage at my club to herself.

“Mad about what?” she finally responded tightly. “I figured you would always have Damian’s back.”

Ash pretended to pout before pulling her into a hug.

She failed to swallow her giggle when he swung her around.

My heart dipped a little, seeing how easily her anger faded for my two best friends.

But they had been her friends too. Something none of them had forgotten.

Ash and Rhyett weren’t the ones who’d betrayed her. That was all me.

Ash set her down right in front of me, not being discreet at all when he gently pushed her into me. She spun around in surprise when my arms went around her waist.

“How was your day?” I asked, tightening my hold when she attempted to push away. “I haven’t seen you since we got on this boat.”

“It was fine.” Her tone was short and clipped, like it had been all week in the few times we’d spoken.

She was still pissed at me for acting like a jealous asshole.

Yet, I hadn’t apologized to her. Because I wasn’t sorry.

Maybe I went about it the wrong way, but it was too late to change it.

I usually kept my anger in check, but the thought of her being with someone else made me see red every single time.

I had a feeling that would never change.

“Shots,” Ash exclaimed, slipping behind the bar, grabbing two bottles. “Come on, Talie. Smile. It’s like old times.”

Her back stiffened at those words. Nights like this were how we spent every weekend as teenagers. Good food, music, and fun. Back when Talie and I danced on the line between friends and something more. Before our marriage flipped everything upside down.

Ash poured shots of vodka for everyone, and she squirmed out of my hold to grab her drink.

After clinking the glasses, I downed the vodka, the liquid warming my throat.

Rhyett handed Talie his phone so she could change the music, and her choice had my chest going tight with memories.

It was like old times. Minus the part where Talie used to actually like spending time with me.

We all made our way to the couches as Ash carried a tray of drinks over for everyone.

Talie took another swig from the vodka bottle as she listened to her sister.

As the time went on, she relaxed, enjoying the conversation.

She was sitting between Rhyett and Charlotte while I was on the other couch across from her.

As much as I wanted her near me, I stayed where I was, letting her catch up with everyone.

The alcohol was buzzing through my veins, and while I wasn’t drunk, I sure as hell wasn’t sober. No one was, if the loud laughs were anything to go by. Talie was tipsy, and her cheeks were flushed, her eyes bright as she listened to Rhyett’s crazy college stories.

She changed the music to something more upbeat, and everyone left the couch to go to the open area in front of the bar.

Ash and Rhyett pulled a couple of the girls onto the makeshift dance floor, while Charlotte danced near Talie.

I stood off to the side, watching my wife move her hips in a way that had my dick growing hard.

My self-control lasted only one song before I strode forward, catching her wrist, pulling her into my chest. Her gasp of surprise was swallowed by the music, and Charlotte grinned, backing away to dance with Rhyett.

“It’s rude to cut into someone’s dance,” she said, lifting her chin to stare at me.

“I waited until the song was over.”

“Really—”

“Don’t,” I interrupted, taking the lead. “You can dance with your husband for at least one song. Don’t pretend you’ve forgotten how much you enjoy dancing with me.”

“That was years ago,” she replied, throwing her arms around my neck. “How many women have been in the same spot I’m in right now?”

“Is the alcohol revealing your jealous side, wife?”

She grinned deviously. “Seeing as this marriage is a sham—no. I don’t get jealous.” After a small pause, she kept going. “Since you dance with other women like this, then you can’t say anything if I do this with men.”

Dropping my head, I whispered in her ear.

“You’re still a horrible liar, Talie.” She attempted to wiggle away, and I locked my arms around her.

“But if you want the truth…I absolutely dance at my club. But pulling women up on stage like I did with you? Dancing like this with other women? It doesn’t happen. ”

Her smile only widened, and I bit my tongue before I continued. If she thought she would dance with other men, she was very mistaken. I didn’t give a shit if she considered me her fake husband. If she was staying, then she was mine .

“Try to dance with someone else like this,” I dared her gruffly. “I’ll give you the same lesson I did when you flirted with that guy in the restaurant. Only this time I’ll make sure it lasts a hell of a lot longer until you’re screaming and begging me for a release.”

Her cheeks pinkened slightly, but my words didn’t seem to deter her. “Tell me, Damian,” she purred, pushing her body against mine. “Did you enjoy punishing me? Leaving me there on the edge?”

I let out a chuckle. “Oh, I fucking enjoyed it, Natalia. But I’d enjoy pleasuring you more.

However, to get that, you need to be a good girl.

Then I’ll drop to my knees for you and eat.

Giving you so many orgasms until you can’t take it anymore.

” Her eyes widened in shock, not expecting my response.

I continued to dance, rolling my hips against hers as I dropped my lips to her ear.

“But that won’t happen when you’re still threatening to dance with another man. ”

She kept her lips pressed together as we danced, but she stayed in my arms when another song came on.

My dick hardened even more when she rubbed against me, and from the small grin on her lips, she knew exactly what she was doing.

As much as she wanted to pretend she wanted nothing to do with me, she couldn’t deny that she loved messing with me.

Deciding to play into her game, I gripped her hips before lifting her up.

On instinct, her legs wrapped around my waist to steady herself, and I carried her across the room.

I put her down on the chair next to the small table, and she angled her face up to look at me curiously.

Her body stiffened slightly when I climbed on top of her, straddling her legs.

“What are you doing?” she asked over the music.

“Dancing.”

Reaching over her shoulder, I gripped the back of the chair as I began swaying my hips to the beat of the new song.

A small cry escaped her when I fisted her hair with my free hand, forcing her to keep her head tilted.

My eyes stayed locked on hers, and I couldn’t help but wonder what she was thinking.

While we used to dance all the time when we were younger, it was never like this.

Back then, I’d been careful not to cross any lines.

But now? I was quickly realizing I wanted to cross every fucking line with her.

I wanted her back then too, but I’d been young and fucking dumb.

She had been the one who brought up the idea of marriage as business.

She’d just graduated high school, and I wasn’t going to push anything on her.

But that was five years ago, and our chemistry was still off the charts. I wasn’t fighting it anymore.

“Admit it,” I coaxed, grinding against her. “You like dancing with me.”

Her eyes gleamed deviously. “I’d like any guy who dances on me like this.”

I didn’t let her words rile me up like she obviously wanted.

I did this for a damn living and doubted any other man had danced with her like this while she’d been gone.

Releasing her hair, I gripped the back of the chair with both hands, holding most of my weight as I continued to move.

Ash and Rhyett were laughing, making some smart remarks, but my attention stayed on my wife.

Soon, her hands gripped my thighs, slowly wandering up.

She glanced up at me, biting her lip. She was still mad, but that anger wasn't enough for her to completely shut me out.

The song changed, and this time it was a slower beat. Her eyes darted to the counter where she’d left the phone she was using to change the music. I stole her attention back when I grabbed her arm, pulling her to her feet.

“I need to choose another song?—”

I cut her off. “I like this one.”

A frown tipped down her lips when I wrapped my arm around her waist, tugging her closer.

I caught her other hand, interlacing our fingers.

Taking the lead, I moved slowly to the music, watching surprise cover her face.

This was even more intimate than the sexual dancing we were doing, and she didn’t like it.

I spotted Charlotte watching us curiously, only to look away quickly when I caught her eye. Rhyett and Ash were chatting with friends on the other side of the room.

“I do miss this,” she muttered just loud enough for me to hear. “Nights like this…they were my favorite.”

“They were mine too.”

“But things are different now,” she replied quietly. “We’re not kids anymore.”

I sighed. “No, we’re not. But it doesn’t mean we have to spend the rest of our lives being miserable. Let me in, Talie. Maybe I’ll surprise you.”

I didn’t miss the nerves in her laugh. “Who says I’m miserable? I love playing games with you, Damian.” She raised on her tiptoes, brushing her lips over my throat. “After denying me my orgasm, you deserve to get punished too.”

Her words had me grinning in amusement, and I locked my arms around her when she tried darting away.

“Not so fast. Please tell me how you’re going to punish me?” I questioned. “Tease me like I did to you? Because let me tell you, I will take everything you give me with a fucking smile on my face if it means I get to be naked in a room with you.”

“Mm,” she hummed out, her eyes bright with mischief. “I think you’re going to eat your words, husband.”

This time she yanked out of my hold, and I let her go, my eyes dropping to her ass in the tight dress as she joined her sister at the bar.

My mind was racing with whatever she had planned for me.

I wasn’t sure what she thought she’d be able to get away with.

I’d have to watch her carefully when we got home, since there wasn’t much she could do while we were stuck on this yacht.