Page 93 of Nothing to Win
Whatever he thought he’d felt before, whatever sensation prompted him to end their relationship, wouldn’t be ignored anymore.Selfishly, he’d ended his right to touch and care for her under the pretense of protecting her heart.Seeing her now, without the security of that bond… how had he thought for a second he’d be able to keep his words and his hands in check?
Why had he never told her how beautiful she was?Yeah, he’d said the words, but he’d never told her how that beauty fired him up, how it charged him into a frenzy.
Fuck.
The woman made him feel bigger and stronger, while meager in comparison to her.Gia was a force to be reckoned with and that she’d just walked into the ballroom on the arm of the man every other person was there to charm was yet another example of that.
“Do you want me to do the talking?”Julius asked.
Gault was moving closer.The inevitable was going to come whether he wanted it to or not.He’d have to face the man whose face he now wanted to introduce to his fist.
“Well, if it isn’t Brogan Spurn himself,” Gault said when the people between them moved aside.
“Everett,” Julius said, offering a hand when the two parties came together.
The jovial welcome passed him by.Gia was a vision, one that deemed him invisible apparently.Her glorious smile stayed in place.Damn, he missed her.She wasn’t a trophy and shouldn’t be kept quiet.No man should discourage her from being her magnificent self, reputation be damned.That went for the Sears too.
“Nice to see you, Julius,” Gault said, shaking his hand.“It’s been a long time.”
“I’m sorry we were held up this morning—”
“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Gault said, waving at him.“My little joy told me about the scheduling issues you’ve had this week.”
“Your little…”
“Gianna,” Gault said, tucking her hand deeper around his elbow threading his fingers between hers.“She is the most enchanting woman.”
Brogan heard his own throat narrow and every muscle in Julius’s body tense.His friend was smart to be concerned how this would play out.He made no promises.
“Your joy,” Brogan croaked, the rasp of rage making his voice ragged.
“Yes,” Gault said and had the decency to lose some of his glee.“I hope this isn’t awkward.I understand that you two were involved until recently.”
“Involved,” Brogan said.“Yes, we were involved.Closely involved.”
Gault grinned and pulled her closer.“I don’t know what possessed you to break up with a trophy like my joy, but I have to express my gratitude.”
“Ev,” she murmured in warning, still smiling so wide that Brogan had to grind his teeth.
“Yes, I’m sorry,” Gault said and picked up her hand to kiss her knuckles.“I promised her I wouldn’t bring that up tonight… Please, gentlemen, enjoy our hospitality.”A skinny blonde kid ran up at their side and murmured to Gault.“I have a phone call in the lobby.Joy?”
“I’m fine,” she said, angling her cheek when he leaned in to kiss it.“Hurry back.”
Gault blew her a kiss as he melted away and she laughed.
“You can’t be fucking serious,” Brogan heard the anger in his voice before he’d known his mouth opened.
“Brogan,” Julius said.
Gia wasn’t smiling when she turned back to them, but she didn’t look particularly offended either.
“I saw Jenna upstairs,” she said to Julius like he hadn’t spoken at all.“She’s thrilled to be here, you should’ve invited her to the party.”
“There’s a lot to organize,” Julius said.
“The pitches aren’t until Saturday,” she said.“No one is expected to do any work tomorrow.You should take some time to enjoy yourselves, Everett’s planned quite the day tomorrow.We were tasting the desserts earlier, you’re in for a treat.”
Shaking with unvented anger, Brogan dug his balled fists into his pockets.“We’re going to stand here and pretend this isn’t the most ludicrous conversation we’ve ever had?”he said.“What the fuck are you doing with a guy like that?”
