Jasper’s eyes are flashing when I get back to the table. For a sickening instant, my stomach drops into my toes. Is he that pissed?

But when I slide into my seat, all it takes is one glance at the front of his pants to see that he’s not angry with me. He’s as turned on as I am, as ready to get the hell out of here and go somewhere without any prying eyes. In my case, it’s not so obvious. 

Jasper leans in, and I breathe in the clean, pure scent of his skin. It was torture, out there on the red carpet, to get so close to him without pressing my lips to the side of his neck, or wrapping my hands around his face and pulling him in for a kiss. The kind of kiss you don’t do in front of photographers unless you really, really mean it. “Tell me this ceremony is almost over.”

“It’s almost over,” I say.

“Tell me the truth.”

“There are ten more awards. Haven’t you been following along in the program?”

“No. I’ve been looking at you,” he says, his voice laced with a husky warmth.

“All this time? I look exactly the same as when we walked in.”

“No, you don’t. You’ve got a very fancy crystal trophy for being such a successful fashion designer.” I laugh. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about all this,” he adds.

“What was I supposed to say? You never know whether you’re going to win in advance.”

“You had some kind of idea.”

“I didn’t decide to expand across the state for no reason. My designs are really quite popular. But what sets me apart from a lot of these people is that I’m managing all the aspects of production and distribution by myself.”

He shakes his head. “What other secrets are you hiding, Isabella?”

“I should ask you the same question.” There’s got to be something underneath all this, something that drives him to be the way he is.

“I’m an open book.”

I laugh out loud, but the sound is covered by another round of applause for someone who’s won the next award. “Jasper Pace, an open book? No.”

He drops his voice so I lean closer, my hand on his arm. “Here’s how much of an open book I am.” I breathe in, warmth already rising to my cheeks. “I don’t want to wait for another ten—nine—awards. I want to take you outside right now and get into my town car.”

“And then what?” I hear my voice laced with anticipation.

“Then I’ll take you wherever you want to go.”

I bite my lip. “You want to leave…right now?”

“Yes. As soon as humanly possible,” he says, almost a growl.

“Me too,” I say and he starts to stand, but I keep a gentle pressure on his arm and he stays in his seat. “The thing is, it won’t look good if I bail on this after I’ve been presented with my own award.” I sigh. “I do want to go. But I can’t. We’re staying.”

He grits his teeth and forces a smile. “That’s not a problem. Come with me for a couple of minutes.”

Fine. I’ll bite. When he stands up, I put my hand in his and let him lead me away.

He clearly knows where he’s going—and where he’s going turns out to be a pitch-dark alcove down the hall from the main room. Jasper presses me up against the wall, my hands pressed back against it. He’s so close. “What is this? Some kind of punishment?” I try to keep my voice steady, but it trembles.

“Hardly. Spread your legs.”

It takes me a heartbeat to do it, but the energy arcing through me is so intense, so sexual, that the last thing on earth I’m going to do is disobey.

I brace myself against the wall and move my legs apart a foot.

“Farther.”

Another few inches, and I can feel the air moving up underneath my dress and between my legs.

Jasper reaches down and lifts the hem of my gown, sliding his hand up my leg until his fingers make contact with my panties. I can’t stifle my gasp.

“Shh.”

I press my lips together as he tugs my panties to the side, stroking along my now-exposed slit. I’m soaked. Jesus. My hands rise up to his shoulders so I can hold on for dear life. He leans down and presses his lips against my neck, gentle and hot.

“Yes. Yes.”

He works a finger inside of me and draws it back out. I’m surprised by the disappointment that tumbles through me when he moves away, but then his hand is back between my legs, pressing something inside. It feels smooth and cool, and when he takes his fingers back out it’s firmly in place. He kisses me softly on the lips.

“What—”

“We should get back to your ceremony.”

“Should we?” I move my hands away from his shoulders, taking his lapels in my fist, and throw my weight against him. He goes back against the opposite wall, making contact with a thud, and then I crush my mouth against his. Screw the soft, gentle kisses. I’m like an animal who’s been unleashed.

When I pull back, he’s the one who’s slightly out of breath.

“Okay,” I say, hooking a finger into his lapel. “Now we can go.”

I’m in mid-conversation with the woman next to me when I feel it—a buzz that radiates through my entire body, adding another layer to my already red cheeks. It takes me by surprise, making me forget what I’m saying in the middle of my sentence. I’m glad I’m not holding my wine glass. I’d have crushed it in my fist.

“Is something the matter?” the woman says, her eyebrows drawing together in concern.

“No. No, no.” I laugh, waving a hand in the air. “What was I saying?”

The second time, it lasts even longer, and I turn to glare at Jasper. He holds my gaze until he turns it off, hand emerging from his pocket a moment later. “It’s really a lovely ceremony.” He says it with a wicked half-smile and sips his wine.

“It is.”

There are still five more awards to go when he activates it for the third time, and I put my fingertips to my lips to stop any sound from escaping. Holy shit. I’m going to have a full-blown orgasm in the middle of an awards ceremony unless I can get out of here. Now.

When it turns off, I stand, murmuring apologies to the rest of the table. There’s enough time between the awards to escape from the hall, giving apologetic waves to everybody who makes eye contact with me. I know most of them. And I almost came in front of all of them.

Jasper’s town car is idling at the curb, and he holds the door open for me, letting me slide in and across before he climbs in and pulls the door shut behind him.

I can’t stop myself.

“You are the most sadistic—”

“Terrence. Go.” He doesn’t say another word. He reaches out and pulls me closer, wrapping one arm around my waist and raising his other hand to stroke the side of my neck. I gasp, and an inferno of desire rushes through me when he wraps one hand around my jaw. He tilts my head back, against his shoulder, and then I feel him reaching for the switch in his pocket.

“Don’t forget,” he growls into my ear. “You’re mine. Every inch of you, for the next twenty-eight days.”

I can’t speak. I can hardly breathe.

He turns my head toward him and leans down, kissing me so fiercely I almost come in his arms.

It can’t get better than this.