Possessive
All eyes turned in the direction where the voice had come.
“Sold for 20 million.”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.
Veil stole a glance at Anders behind her. How rich was this boss of hers really? she couldn’t help but wonder.
Soon after the auction, the party took a different swing. Anders’ phone rang right before the dance began. He walked out to take it.
Veil looked around rubbing her arms nervously. She wasn’t used to events like these. Where was Anders?
“Hello, Veil!”
She turned when she heard a slightly familiar voice call her name. And there, in front of her, on a black tux that stretched to contain his broad chest and muscular arms, was Orleans, looking like a Spanish male model. Her eyes lit up.
“Hello,” she smiled at him.
Orleans stole a furtive look around as if searching for something… Or someone.
“You’re here alone?”
Veil shook her head. “No, I’m here with my boss. What brings you here though?”
“Same as you. Here with the boss.” His facials flexed, revealing a beautiful smile. “And… where’s this boss of yours though?”
Veil glanced around again looking everywhere for Anders. “He stepped out to take a call. You know, CEOs tend to always be busy with work.”
“Not every CEO.” Orleans countered. “Some won’t leave a pretty woman sitting all by herself in a hall full of strange faces.”
Veil rolled her eyes at him. “You have quite a flattery mouth.”
“It’s not flattery, I’m just being truthful.” He deadpanned. “Will you dance with me, please?”
Veil looked around furtively, Anderson was still not in sight. Seeing her look around stealthily, Orleans guessed she was going to refuse him, so he used the one card he knew might work on her.
“You know you still owe me that little favor?” He reminded, and watched the small smile that crept up her face. Just as expected, that seemed to work.
“Fine, let’s dance.” She rose to her feet and Orleans took her hand, guiding her to the stage.
“May I? He asked subtly.
“Of course!” At Veil’s reply, he snaked one arm around her waist and entwined their fingers with the free one. Veil put her free hand on his shoulder and for a minute, Orleans forgot to breathe at their proximity. The way he guided her effortlessly through the dance floor had Veil wondering how frequently he attends events like these.
“You dance like a pro.” She complimented. He twirled her around and caught her back in his embrace with a swift move.
He grinned. “That’s because I’m trying to impress you.”
Veil chuckled. “You’ve sure got great lines.”
“And you look beautiful tonight.”
Veil stared at him, the seriousness in his eyes and the heat from his hand on the small of her waist reminded her of the near-death experience with Anders that morning and it made her shudder thinking what it’d feel like to dance with him in this proximity. Her cheeks flushed and she looked away in embarrassment.
“Thank you.”
Orleans’s heart leaped as he watched that expression on her face. She just blushed for him. Probably he could win her heart.
“So, when did you start working at Kingston Groups?”
“A few months ago. I love my job, but my hard-headed boss makes it difficult to go bye,” she said and sighed.
“What if you get an offer with a higher pay than Kingston Group’s offer? Plus, peace of mind…”
Veil’s face fell. “That’s a tempting offer, but, I’m bound by a contract. Can’t leave just like that.”
Across his shoulder, Veil glimpsed Anders. He was on the phone, but his sharp gaze was fixed on her with a look of displease.
A thrill ran through her at his visible reaction, and she was suddenly emboldened. She found herself leaning closer to Orleans, speaking low so only he could hear.
“What sort of company does such…”
Propelled by strange emotions, Veil cut in. “You look handsome tonight, did I tell you that?”
Her warm breath tickled Orleans’ nape. He froze.
At the far end of the hall, Anders’ features grew darker. He hung up directly on the business call and marched toward his assistant. She seemed to be having a wonderful night in the arms of a man.
“Ms. Hart!” His voice went off behind her like an alarm. Veil turned around and met his angry eyes. A chill ran through her spine. “Remember you promised to save me a dance later.”
Veil stared blankly at him,… “Uh… Yeah, yes… I did.” Then to Orleans, “I’ll see you later, Orleans.”
Anders snapped to the man Veil had been dancing with. His lips pursed in anger. One hand grabbed her possessively to his side.
“I really hate it when people try touching what’s mine.” His cold voice took a possessive tone. His gaze was locked on Veil, but his words were directed at Orleans. Veil was taken aback. What did he mean by the enemy?
Before she could ask, Anders dragged her further into the dance floor. He turned to face her, his cold smile making her heart lip in her throat. He slipped an arm around her thin waist and pulled her hard into his rock-hard chest. Her skin practically burned where his hand touched her. “You wanted to dance, right? So let’s dance.”
Veil’s stomach knotted. She had thought that was just an excuse to get her away from Orleans. She didn’t think he really wanted to dance.
He helped her hand onto his shoulder and dragged her into his embrace. One strong arm gripped her waist, guiding her expertly on the dance floor. And she felt it, the ruthlessness in his grip on her waist, the anger in his steps, and the possessiveness in his hold, as though he was mad over something and was transferring his aggressions on her. It all sent heat waves coursing through her body.
And when he caught her after a brief twirl, Veil’s breath caught in her throat, and she forgot how to breathe.
By the time the dance finally came to a stop, she was out of breath and flushed scarlet. She pulled away from Anders’ embrace and excused herself, as if wanting to making a run for some fresh air. But Anders beat her to it when he caught her by the wrist and dragged her along with him out of the hall, through a long corridor, a backdoor that led into darkness, until they were standing in the roof top, high above the city.
Back in the hall, Orleans watched the drama and suspecting Veil was in danger, he followed behind them immediately.