Chapter 26

“There she is, the guest of honor!” Viona exclaimed, grabbing my wrist and pulling me inside.

“I’m still not sure this is a good idea,” I said. Nevertheless, I let her pull me into the living room, where music boomed and several young, handsome men had gathered.

“Trust me, you need this,” Viona said.

Amber nodded enthusiastically.

“They’re all here for you,” Amber added, gesturing widely at the room full of men.

My gaze glided over the gaggle of men. They were handsome, there was no denying that. However, I couldn’t help thinking—rather reluctantly and bitterly—that Noah’s charm and looks surpassed them all.

Another ringing of the doorbell shook me from my thoughts. My eyes shifted toward the archway leading into the living room just as Viona led Noah and his business associates through. I narrowed my eyes at Noah as he excused himself from the rest of the group and headed toward me. Before he could reach me, Viona grabbed Noah’s arm.

“Don’t worry about your current wife,” she said rather loudly, wiggling her brows provocatively. “We’re taking perfect care of her. We’ll find the perfect man to keep her company.”

Noah sneered at Viona and ripped his hand from her grip. As he marched over to me, I quickly slipped into the crowd of young men. I jumped, surprised as one tapped me on the shoulder.

“Would you like to dance?” he asked, bending close to my ear so that I could hear him over the music.

I looked over my shoulder to find Noah struggling to make his way to me. My brows furrowed, and my jaw set in determination.

“I’d love to,” I said, brushing my lips against the young man’s ear. I sensed him trembling from the contact, and the surge of power it gave me caused me to smirk.

The music was very upbeat and fast, allowing me to press close to the young man while gyrating my hips. I placed his hands on my waist, my backside touching his torso and crotch. I could feel that he was enjoying the closeness of the dance, and I hoped that it showed enough for others to see.

I grabbed his hand and urged him into spinning me around. As we twirled, a wide berth was given to us to avoid hitting anyone. When we stopped, I landed in his arms, which I guided low onto my back as I ground my hips against him.

I stared into the young man’s sparkling green eyes. He smiled at me, a wolfish smile that said he wanted to devour me right there and then. I lifted my hand and ran it through his messy black hair, then traced along his chiseled jaw.

Suddenly, I felt a hand wrap around my upper arm and tug at me. Before I even saw who it was, I tore my arm from the person’s grasp. Then I turned from my dance partner’s hold to face my confronter: Noah.

“What are you doing?” Noah demanded.

“Dancing,” I replied.

“With another man?”

I shrugged.

“It’s just dancing.”

Noah’s eyes narrowed.

“I think I would like to cut in.”

I tilted my head, as though considering the matter, then shook it.

“No, I don’t think so.”

One of Noah’s eyes twitched.

“Why?”

“Because you should mind your own business.”

Noah raised his finger, about to object, then lowered his hand. His face red, he stormed out of Viona’s house. His business associates followed closely behind him, shooting me one last look before they left.

I shrugged as though the incident meant nothing to me. On the inside, I was roaring in triumph. I turned back to my dance partner and wrapped my arms around his neck, smiling suggestively.

“Now, where were we?”