A s I expected , Marion latched on to Dave as we had dinner.

Duncan and Melanie joined us midway, but I just couldn’t tolerate Marion’s presence any longer. I excused myself to go to the restroom.

I stare at my face in the mirror. My make up is on point, but my emotions are going haywire.

I’m supposed to be happy now that Dave and I have finally taken a new direction in our relationship. But why am I miserable? Why do I feel more insecure than before?

Does love make people feel less of themselves? Is this normal? No, I know it shouldn’t be like this.

I hate these feelings.

I leave the restroom and walk out of the tent. The breeze greets my face.

I inhale deeply and try to calm myself.

Okay, I’m jealous. Yes, I am. Marion gets on my nerves and she’s been deliberately doing it, insinuating herself between me and Dave. Or maybe it’s just me being too sensitive, especially after what happened last night. I feel possessive of Dave tenfold. Every time Marion casually touches him, I want to slap the woman.

God, I’m turning into a total bitch.

I try to take my mind off my nasty thoughts. It’s really beautiful out here. The garden is a fusion of Japanese landscaping and Scandinavian architecture. It was designed for lover strolls with its strategic lighting and well-placed trees and hedges. It’s very calming to listen to the running water. It somehow eases the ache in my chest a bit.

I stroll beside the Zen-inspired fountain, following the running water. Thank God, everyone seems to be inside the huge tent, socializing. I really can’t handle any more chit-chat and small talk with this heaviness in my heart. I just want to go home and curl up in my bed.

I stop near a small pond lit underneath. Golden fishes swim in the shallow water, mesmerizing me.

“You can throw a penny and make a wish.”

I gasp, startled, looking behind me.

JD Templeton smiles and walks over to me. I’m instantly wary. This is Marion’s brother and anybody connected to that woman makes me wary.

“What are you doing all by your lonesome here, Anya?”

“It’s too crowded in there. I needed some fresh air.”

“Ah. My sentiments exactly.” He stands beside me, and we both watch the Kois.

I really don’t know what to say to him. I still can’t reconcile him from that guy I saw at Holly’s house practically making out with that woman in the balcony, uncaring of who might see them.

“I guess an apology is in order.”

“Huh?” I look at him.

“About what you saw at the Lobb party…”

“It’s really none of my business.”

“Yeah…” He looks embarrassed. “I really didn’t mean for you and Holly to see that.”

“You were too smashed to care, JD.”

He nods. “I guess. Nonetheless, I apologize.”

I’m not really sure why he’s suddenly talking to me but he’s being nice and I can’t be rude. “Apology accepted.”

“I don’t normally do that.”

“Apologize?”

“No. Make out in public.”

“You don’t need to explain, JD. Really. Forget about it.”

He smiles. He’s tall, broad-shouldered, and quite cute in this preppy way with his sandy brown hair and baby blues. JD is studying at Harvard, and I heard he’s the captain of the rowing team.

“Did you know that the Koi fish is a favorite tattoo of the Yakuza?”

“Sorry, I haven’t looked closely at Yakuza tats. Not my crowd.”

He chuckles. “Thought you might get interested since you’re a designer.”

“Yeah, I’m interested. I thought the Yakuza like dragons for their tats.”

“Yeah, and that’s where the legend of the Koi comes in. You see, according to a Japanese legend, if a Koi succeeds in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate on the Yellow River, it would transform into a dragon. Kois and dragons are symbols for strength, perseverance and courage.”

I nod. “I see. That’s a new trivia for me. Thank you. What did you say you were taking up at Harvard?”

“Boring business. But I love history and archeology.”

“Hmm, I didn’t peg you to be the relics and ruins type, JD.”

He grins. He looks so golden, even at night. Such a contrast to Dave’s smoldering dark looks.

I try to push the thoughts of Dave away. I need a reprieve from my damn insecurities from loving that man.

D AVE

I grow anxious when Anya doesn’t return at the table after ten minutes.

Marion touches my arm. “Dave…”

I look at her absently. “Huh?”

“Duncan is asking you about your meeting with Eli today.”

“Ah, why don’t you tell him, Marion? Excuse me for a bit, guys.”

I leave the table and call Vlad.

“Where’s Anya?”

“In the garden, Boss.”

“The garden? What is she doing there?”

“Uhh…”

“Is she okay?”

“She’s talking to JD Templeton right now.”

I’m instantly on guard. “What did I tell you?”

“They’re just talking, Boss. I’m watching them.”

“What are they talking about?”

“I’m not near enough to hear but they’re laughing. Sort of.”

“Tell me where exactly they’re at.”

A NYA

“I wonder why we never hung out before when we have Holly in common?” JD asks.

I shrug. “I don’t know. I rather thought you were a colossal snob.”

“A snob? Me?”

“Yeah. You were always prancing about like a preppy dandy in your argyle sweaters and wax jackets, and I thought I saw you turn up your nose a few times at my goth outfits.”

He chuckles. “You make me sound like an empty-headed, shallow…what do they call it in those days? Ah, popinjay.”

I can’t help but laugh. The guy reads old literature. “Glad to know there’s a nerdy Indiana Jones living underneath that stylish look.”

“Glad you like my look.”

I survey him from head to toe. “Too perfect for my taste. I’d look like a fashion victim next to you.”

He laughs. “Hardly. On the contrary, I dig your style, Anya.”

I raise a brow. “Really now.”

“Why don’t I treat you for lunch or dinner some time? You can wear your best goth outfit.”

I stare at him. Is he asking me out on a date? “I…”

“I really like you, Anya. I hope you’ll give me a chance to correct that impression you had of me at the balcony.”

“JD…” I don’t know what to say. How does one turn down a really nice invitation? Especially when the guy has made me feel a bit better? Despite that he’s the brother of the woman who was making me feel bad?

He takes my hand. I freeze.

“Anya!”

I’m glad for the interruption. But only for a moment.

Oh crap.

Dave’s eyes are scary as he glares at me and JD. He’s standing a few meters away. I was so engrossed in my conversation with JD I didn’t even notice Dave approach us.

He lifts his arm, beckoning me to him. “Let’s go.”

“Mr. Knight, good evening,” JD greets him courteously.

Dave gives him a cold stare. “JD,” he simply says.

“I was just asking Anya out, Mr. Knight.”

Dave’s eyes seem to flare in the dim light, like a vampire’s, but JD is standing up to him which kind of impresses me.

“And what did she say?” Dave looks at me, daring me to cross him.

“Actually, she hasn’t answered me yet. Anya?” JD smiles at me.

I smile back. “Can I think about it?”

“Not too long, I hope. I’m quite excited to show you off.”

“Preppy meets the goth girl. That would make your friends keel over.”

He chuckles. “I can’t wait to see that.”

JD turns to Dave again. “Let me assure you that I have nothing but the best intentions for Anya, Mr. Knight.”

Dave walks closer, slowly, spearing JD with a menacing stare that would have wilted lesser men, but JD stands tall, meeting Dave stare for stare.

“Anya is not ready to date. Ask someone else.”

“I’m sure she’s old enough to decide for herself, Mr. Knight.”

Dave suddenly grabs the front of JD’s shirt. “If you know what’s good for you, stay away from her, boy.”

JD smirks. “If you know what’s good for your deal with my father, let go of me, Mr. Knight.”

Dave pushes him away roughly. JD staggers but stays on his feet. He straightens his suit jacket, sneering at Dave. Then he looks at me and does a small salute. “I’ll see you soon, Anya.”

I watch JD walk away with a swagger. I’m glad he stood up to Dave.

“Does it turn you on, little girl? To have men fighting over you?”

My hackles rise. He has the gall to turn this around when it was him who was out flirting with Marion the whole day. I turn to glare at him. “Do you hear me complaining about Marion slithering all over you like a boa in heat?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Oh, he’s playing dumb. What does he take me for? A stupid fool? “I saw you with her in her Instagram posts. Playing golf? Really, Dave?”

“I was there to meet Eli, not Marion. I didn’t know she’d be there, but she was helping me convince Eli to take my offer.”

I can’t take how he’s defending Marion. Is he so blind he couldn’t see what Marion was doing? I know I can’t justify my feelings. He’d only see it as petty. Maybe it is, but I can feel it, Marion is up to no good. Not good for me, at least. I don’t know about him. He seems to encourage the woman’s flirting at my expense.

Dammit! I turn around.

“Don’t walk away when I’m talking to you.”

I don’t heed the warning in his tone. I stalk off. After last night, I just feel so vulnerable and exposed and I hate it. I feel more helpless now than before.

“Anya, stop.”

He’s right after me.

“Leave me alone, Dave.”

He grabs my arm and spins me around to face him.

My body reacts, but it’s different now. It’s worse. I’ve known his touch. I’ve tasted him. Felt his kisses all over my body. Taken him inside me. I know that the sparks can become a raging inferno of pleasure in no time.

My skin prickles with heat and my core clenches with that familiar hunger now.

A hunger he can feed and satisfy beyond my wildest imaginings.

D AVE

I give in to my need.

I claim her lips.

I groan deep in my throat as her sweet breath is trapped by my lips and her taste explodes in my mouth.

I angle my head and deepen the kiss, shoving my tongue inside her sweetness.

I pull her closer to me, harder, grinding my cock against her belly.

My phone rings.

It tears through the fog of lust blinding me.

I pull away from her, letting her go.

I fish my phone out of my suit jacket’s pocket.

It’s Callum. I end the call without answering it. I know why he called.

I sigh harshly, pissed off at my stupidity. My bodyguard had to jolt me with a phone call from my momentary madness. What the fuck was I doing kissing Anya in public?

She’s walking away again. Running away.

The little witch must learn her new role. When I tell her to stay, she’d better damn stay where I want her to, dammit! She’s not my ward anymore who I’ve spoiled rotten. She’s my woman now. My woman obeys me all the fucking time!

I remain in the vineyard for a few more minutes. My erection is pushing hard against my fly. I need to calm the fuck down before I can mingle again.

A NYA

D ave is with his group of his friends while I joined the newlywed’s table.

I pretend as though I’m having a good time, but it’s hard to ignore the fire raging in my core. How can he make me feel like this by just a kiss?

My phone vibrates after close to an hour. I check the message.

“Let’s go home.”

I meet Dave’s eyes across the vast expanse of the tent housing the wedding reception. There’s got to be around two hundred people in here.

Even from a distance, his eyes are telling me what he wants.

I ignore him.

Another message comes in.

“I want you.”

I stare at the words, hating them. My pussy tingles in response. My nipples unfurl and become itchy against the material of my gown.

More messages come in, seducing me.

“Been thinking of you all day. Want to be inside you.”

“Am very hard. Want to enter your tight pussy.”

My inner walls clench in longing. I can almost feel him, so hard and hot, sliding into my body. My juices flow and I squirm in my seat. My skin feels too sensitive now.

I drink more wine, but it seems to only fan the flames at the pit of my belly. I throb between my legs so hard I’m scandalized by my physical reactions.

I glare at him across the distance separating us. He grins and types some more on his phone.

“You wet, doll face? Daddy wants to lick your pussy. Want to drink your cream. Want it coating my big hard cock.”

“You wanna feel Daddy’s big cock stretching your pussy, baby? Wanna cum in your pussy. Wanna make you cum. Gonna be so good, baby doll. Gonna be so yummy.”

I bite my lower lip. I’m so soaked I’m afraid I’ll have a wet spot behind me when I stand up.

“Let’s go.”

I see him stand up and leave the tent.

“Ride with me. Don’t make me wait or I’ll drag your sweet ass out of here.”