by James, Lylah
If I didn’t know better, I’d say he sounded like he cared. But I knew better, so I didn’t let his words deceive me.
“Shaky, but I’m okay.”
“Don’t lie,” he deadpanned. “You’ve practically been leaning all your weight on me.”
“And you didn’t let me fall,” I snapped quietly. “Thank you for your kindness, husband.”
His arm curled tighter around my waist. “Stop antagonizing me, Julianna. You know very well how that will end.”
My eyes darted toward three of the guests who were looking at us carefully, practically drinking in our postures and probably listening to what we were saying. Goddamn it. I hated these vultures. They were looking for something to gossip about.
I took a deep breath and smiled up at Killian. “You didn’t tell me how I looked this evening? Do you like the gown? It’s your favorite color.”
Killian’s gaze met mine, his dark eyes flaring in surprise. I watched his Adam’s apple move as he swallowed. His head lowered, his cheek brushing against my mask. To someone else, this would have looked romantic and intimate.
“If your neckline was any lower, your nipples would be on display,” Killian rasped in my ear.
I asked for a compliment and I got a criticism instead. What else did I expect from my husband? Rolling my eyes, I dug my nails into the inside of his elbow. “That would be scandalizing, wouldn’t it?”
“All the more enticing.” I turned toward the voice that intruded our intimate exchange to find a man with dark hair, brown eyes, and a smirk on his lips. “I have to say, you look absolutely ravishing.”
“Watch it,” my husband growled.
“Oh, c’mon. I never took you for a territorial man, Killian. I’m just admiring your wife,” he drawled with a hint of a British accent.
“And you are?” I asked, eyeing him up and down. He was a big man, taller than Killian and with broader shoulders. But oh, his smirk was just as arrogant as my husband’s.
The man reached forward, and his hand practically engulfed mine – his brown skin, a stark contrast to my pale hand. He brought my hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. His lips lingered there for a second too long. “Gabriel Evans,” he said, his voice thick and teasing. “An old friend of Killian’s and a business partner. He’s such a grump, isn’t he?”
I pressed my lips together, fighting back a laugh. “He’s a bit mad,” I agreed. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Gabriel.”
He grinned. “The pleasure is all mine, Julianna.”
“Mrs. Spencer,” Killian barked. “Gabriel, a word with you.”
Killian stalked away and Gabriel winked at me. “Grump,” he mouthed before following after my husband.
I took a sip of my champagne, watching the guests mingle together, while I felt so out of place. I did come from a wealthy family – the daughter of Bishop Romano – but this was only my second time at such an event.
Tonight, I was the center of attention. But I wasn’t used to crowds, let alone a whole masquerade ball – where I was openly on display for these people to pick apart, to judge and to dig for my vulnerabilities.
My father striding over to me caught my eyes. He ate the distance between us with powerful legs. William Spencer quickly followed and I found myself surrounded by the two men, both of them standing tall in expensive suits and practically crackling with testosterone.
“Where’s Killian?” William asked, coming to stand beside me.
I nodded toward the other end of the ballroom. “He’s talking to Gabriel. I guess it’s something important.”
Father nodded, his eyes darting to the guests before coming to me again. “You’re doing well, Julianna.”
My chest tightened. “You think so?”
“I never doubted it for a second,” he praised, his voice softening considerably.
How long had I waited for my father to say such words? God, this was exactly what I had wanted to hear for many years and he had said it so nonchalantly. Like this wasn’t the first time he had praised me so openly.
The back of my eyes burned and I blinked away the tears. This wasn’t the place to get emotional. I had to be regal and confident. Posh and fake. The perfect Spencer wife.
“Your father was just telling me that you play the cello,” William said slowly.
I smiled shakily. “I’m not a professional, but I can play fine. It used to be a hobby of mine.”
Gracelynn was a better cello player than me. She had taught me what I know and after years of practice, I was still not as good as she had been.
From my peripheral vision, I saw Killian crossing the ballroom, coming straight for me. So powerful, so confident, so imposing.
His dark gaze locked me in place, even though I was unsteady on my feet.
My heart leaped at the sight of Killian – dressed in an all-black Armani suit, a black masquerade mask, stalking toward me with mad purpose.
My mouth went dry when he came to stand in front of me, towering over my much smaller figure. A commanding presence, with the perfect combination of eloquence and power. It was just the way he always had been – easily dominating me with a single dark gaze.
“Dance with me,” Killian said softly, to my surprise. My eyes darted to his out-stretched palm, waiting.
What a perfect façade.
A fake, happy marriage.
A handsome, loving husband asking his beloved wife for a dance.
Our first dance.
There was nothing sweet or romantic with the way he asked for the dance. It was only an obligation, I knew that.
My gaze found Killian’s father and he nodded, approvingly. The rest of the guests were waiting, with bated breath.
The tension around the ballroom made it almost impossible for me to breathe. I could taste the heavy silence on my tongue, bitter and cold, as everyone waited for my response. The red gown suddenly felt too tight, encasing me within its hold and trapping me without any escape.
The bodice pinched me, making the pressure on my chest feel heavier. I can’t breathe…
My eye twitched under my laced and feathered masquerade mask.
“Julianna,” he said, the tone of his voice dangerous. “Give me your hand.”
My face itched as I placed my palm in his waiting one.
Killian clasped my hand and gave me a hard tug. I gasped and skidded over the shiny floors, my heels catching the hem of my gown as I fell into his chest.
My breath stuttered.
He hissed, as if my touch burned him.
“Julianna,” Killian breathed in my ear. There was a warning in the way he said my name.
“Killian.” My voice wavered before I snapped my jaw close.
“May this be our first… and last dance, wife.”
My heart pounded in my ears, my body growing cold – but I smiled and nodded. “Shall we?” I whispered.
Killian guided us to the center of the ballroom. He tugged me closer, our chests almost touching. I could feel the guests’ eyes on us, watching us carefully. Killian’s arm curled around my waist, his palm pressing into my lower back – his fingers brushing over the curve of my ass. I brought my hand to his shoulder, feeling the muscle tense under my fingertips.
“I assume you know how to waltz, wife.”
“I do,” I breathed. “A bit.”
“I won’t let you fall,” Killian whispered as the orchestra started to play.
We began to waltz, our feet moving to the slow, rhythmic music. Killian guided me, holding my hand firmly in his. We glided over the floor, spinning around the ballroom. I barely noticed the other couples joining us. When the music changed and our paces quickened, I let out a barely audible gasp, my feet now unsteady underneath me.
My dress got in the way and I grew clumsier in my heels, slightly stumbling into Killian. His eyes narrowed on me when he noticed my discomfort. The palm resting against my lower back pulled me closer and I released a shuddering breath the moment our chests touched.
“Lean into me,” Killian rasped in my ear. “I have you.”
He changed his stance and his pace slowed down, making it easier for me to match his rhythm. Killian spun me around once, before tugging me back into his body. We flowed into the dance; our bodies locked together in what would seem like something intimate to an outsider.
“Have you found a suspect yet?” I asked.
To take my mind off this – how wonderful Killian felt against my body, how warm he was, how good he smelled or how much I wanted this moment to be real and not a ruse.
Killian Spencer was addictive and I was a willing victim.
His hatred for me, his unadulterated rage – I welcomed everything with open arms while I silently begged for more – his adoration and his devotion.
But I had long accepted my defeat.
Killian shook his head, bringing me out of my dreadful thoughts. “No. Our investigations have led to more dead ends. Samuel says it’s possible the maid acted alone. We have no other evidence.”
“A deranged maid? That’s what we are labeling this attack?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t sound very convinced,” I muttered, watching the way his brow furrowed thoughtfully.
Killian’s jaw tightened. “I’ve doubled the security and they are all vigilant. You’ll be safe here on the island; I’ve made sure of it.”
Maybe I was truly foolish for believing him, but I trusted Killian. After all, he needed me alive to fulfill my end of the contract.
“Does your father know?”
His hand squeezed mine. “No. Yours?”
“No. It’s better this way.”
“I agree.”
My lips twitched with a smile. “We finally agree on something.”
Killian didn’t respond. Not that I expected him to. True, since the day in my bedroom, Killian had been civil with me. There were times when I had expected him to snap, but with his father’s shadow following us, keeping a careful eye on us – we had no choice but to act like the perfect married couple.
Killian and I had come to an unspoken understanding.
Civil and in love.
Until the end of our contract.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Killian
“I wouldn’t be surprised if Killian runs for President in the next election,” Richard said, gesturing toward me with his flute. “You’d be a popular candidate.”
“Yes,” I agreed absently, my eyes searching for Julianna across the ballroom.
I shouldn’t have left her alone for this long. God knows what trouble she was getting into now. When my gaze finally found her wine-red dress, I had to do a double take at the sight of her dancing – waltzing – with Gabriel.
For fuck’s sake.
Of course, Gabriel would jump at the opportunity to try and sweep Julianna off her feet. That was what he was good at. Gabriel was eight years older than me, a close friend and a business partner – but when it came to sex, our opinions were vastly different. He was a womanizer, through and through. A well-known rake and now he was trying to charm Julianna.
And my dear wife was falling for it as I watched her flutter her fucking lashes at him and smile prettily.
“Excuse me,” I said, my voice tight, as I stepped away from the group of gentlemen and stalked toward the dancing pair, bypassing other waltzing couples.
My shoulders tensed when I approached them and heard Julianna’s soft giggle. What was so fucking amusing? I didn’t know Gabriel was a goddamn comedian.
Once I was close enough to the dancing pair, I tapped Gabriel on the shoulder. “I’m going to have to steal my wife, Gabe. Find another dance partner.”
He grinned, mischief flashing in his dark eyes, but he wisely took a step away. I took his place, my arm curling around Julianna’s waist, tugging her to me, and we continued where they had left off.
I spun Julianna once before pulling her to my chest again. Her hand went back to my shoulder, fingers digging into my muscles in warning.
“You looked quite cozy with Gabriel.”
Julianna made an exasperated sound in the back of her throat. “He’s your friend and a business partner. I was only trying to get along with him.”
Gabriel had a thing for married women. It was his hobby – to use and defile those women before sending them back to their clueless husbands. I remembered his words clearly. A virgin was a risky fuck; they grew attached too quickly and too easily. But married women? Easy fuck and experienced – without any need to form an attachment. He was the reason for many failed marriages.
I knew he respected our friendship enough that he would never make a move on Julianna – though he was going to be a shameless flirt. That was literally his character. Charming and a flirt who knew exactly how to get women to bow down to him.
But it wasn’t just Gabriel. I was more concerned about the other men staring and drooling at Julianna, like she was up for an auction and they were about to bid on her. And her dancing with Gabriel had unknowingly made her a willing target for these hungry wolves. Julianna had left herself open and vulnerable.
“A married woman like yourself shouldn’t be dancing so close with another man – especially not with a well-known rake. Your tits were smashed up against his chest, Julianna,” I practically barked in her face.
She glared at me, her grey eyes gleaming with something fierce. “If I didn’t know better, I’d say Killian Spencer is jealous.”
“Beasty,” I drawled. “If I were to be jealous, I would have to feel something for you.”
The corner of her lips pulled up. “You hate me. That’s quite a strong emotion, husband.”
“And you despise me. That’s a pity, wife.” My hand pressed into her lower back, guiding her around the ballroom as we danced in circles.
“What I feel for you is the opposite of disdain,” Julianna said, her voice softening.
I smiled, humorlessly. “Oh, please do tell. What do you feel for me, Beasty?”
“If I tell you, I would have to spill my secrets, but some secrets are not meant to be told.”
“You’re talking in riddles again.”
She nudged her chin up, giving me that haughty look she has recently mastered. “And we’re currently sharing our second dance. I thought our first one would be our last, or so you said.”
My chest vibrated with a sound that even surprised me. Though Julianna was right, I didn’t want to admit it. I had vowed to keep my distance, yet here I was, saving my clueless wife from well-known philanderers who would do anything just to have five minutes with her behind the pillars. She was a wealthy married woman with class and respect – they’d love to defile her.
“Your taunting will cost you dearly, wife,” I warned thickly.
“I thought you didn’t like me docile,” she shot back.
“It appears that sometimes I would prefer when you shut up. If you don’t know how, I know a few ways to help.”
Julianna cracked a smile. “Very well, then. Would you mind helping me with that?”
“What?”
“Shutting me up. You offered to help me. Go ahead. Shut me up, husband.”
Her teeth grazed her lower pouty lip, biting down. For the briefest moment, I wondered how she’d look without the mask. Red lips. Fierce grey eyes. Silky black hair pinned up. A face with scars that told a sad fucking story.
“That’s very bold of you. Don’t challenge me; you don’t want to see what I can do.”
“I’m very curious, Killian. What can you do?”
Oh, she was feeling brave tonight. My wife wanted to play and so, I would grant her this one wish. One little game to be played.
I slightly bent my head so I could whisper in her ear, letting my lips brush against her earlobe. “I almost brought you to orgasm at our dining table, in front of my father –
we both know very well what I can do.”
I didn’t miss the way her body tensed or the shaky breath she released. Her hand squeezed mine, almost involuntarily. “That was a rare circumstance. I was just–”
“Needy? So deprived of a man’s touch that you almost came from me barely even touching your cunt? I am the man you despise and yet, you were greedy for more.”
“– caught off guard, I was going to say,” she growled.
Such a pretty liar.
My wife could despise me as much as she wanted – but she burned for my touch. Her body responded to me like we had known each other for a lifetime, like she was born to be mine. Greedy. Wet. Needy. I could almost taste her yearning on my tongue – sweet and bitter.
“Do you touch yourself at night, when you’re alone in bed… at the memories of my fingers between your thighs, caressing your pussy?”
Julianna let out a choked sound and she stumbled, before quickly finding her footing again. “Excuse me?”
My lips curled at the way she stuttered, blinking up at me in what I assumed was embarrassment. I could almost imagine her cheeks flushing with heat.
“Now, now. Don’t be so shy. I haven’t come to your bed yet, so you must have touched yourself at least once since our marriage. If not before, then definitely after what happened in the dining hall. I did leave you wet and needy, after all. On the precipice of an orgasm. You must have ached, so badly. Or is it that you have taken another man to your bed since we married?”
My taunts made her eyes gleam darker. Her red lips thinned into a straight line and I felt myself grinning.
I knew very well Julianna hasn’t been with a man since our marriage – I was only taunting her, pushing her buttons because I quite enjoyed the look in her eyes whenever she snapped.
And even if she did take another man to her bed – I would have found out and the poor man would have been dead by now. His body, with all its shattered bones, dumped into the ocean, dragged away by the waves into the depth of the sea. Where no one would have found him. His existence very easily erased from history.