An elbow in my ribs jolts me from my sensual haze. I look up to find Noah staring, brow raised. “Shouldn’t you take that someplace more public?”

  He’s right. As much as I’d love to have Corinne to myself so I can strip her down and get lost inside her, I paste on a smile and take her hand. Together, we make our way to the dance floor. People cluster around us. Fortuitously, the song changes from something thumping and soulless to “Head Under Water” by Bless You and Lost Boy. I wrap her in my arms, bring her closer, and rock against her suggestively.

  Under the music and the lights, she comes alive. Her body sways. She licks her lips, tosses her hair, and gives me a come-hither glance, her eyes burning as she stares into mine. I don’t know if she’s pretending.

  I’m not.

  I seize her delicate neck by the nape and take her mouth like a man possessed. Without hesitation, she opens to me, her grip on my shoulders tightening. The music fades away. So do the people. The only thing that matters is the connection between us. The way she rubs herself against me. The way the world reduces down to only her when she’s in my arms.

  We’re jostled by a blonde with a banging body in a barely there yellow dress, dancing close, rolling video of us on her phone. I resist glaring at her since she’s serving our purpose.

  Funny, she’s the kind of woman I would have once bought drinks for, then smooth-talked until she agreed to let me fuck her. Now I don’t even give her a second glance.

  “Xavian?”

  Corinne’s breathy voice snaps my attention back to her. “Princess?”

  “How long do we have to stay?”

  I grin. “You want me to take you home and do filthy things to you?”

  A blush stains her cheeks. “I told you I lose my head when you kiss me.”

  “Not long,” I promise in her ear. “Only enough to convince people you’re not interested in another man. Now make sure everyone can see your pretty, sparkling rock and kiss me again.”

  “We’re throwing it in his face.”

  I think she means her brother and that’s the plan. But if Riley gets an eyeful on social media, too, maybe he’ll back the fuck off. “Your brother doesn’t understand subtle.”

  “He doesn’t,” she concedes as we gyrate together to the beat of the music. “But I’m wondering if you’re really kissing me not because you’re showing me off but because you’re trying to arouse me.”

  “You figured out my devious plan.” I wink.

  Her laugh becomes a full-fledged giggle before she rises on her tiptoes and opens her mouth under mine. I capture her bruised lips, not giving a shit if I kiss off the rest of her lipstick.

  I sink inside her plush, sugary mouth. Like before, my head starts to buzz. So does my body. I slide my hands down her back and cup her ass, pulling her against my aching cock. Corinne tears free from our kiss, gasping for breath, her head falling back to the beat. Her throat is an offering, a sacrifice to my lust. I take it, sweeping my lips up her neck, delighting when she shudders in my arms.

  “It’s working. I ache,” she whimpers.

  “Your pussy?”

  She nods. Her breathing picks up pace, right along with the music. I’m vaguely aware that yellow-dress woman is still live-streaming us or whatever. Others nearby have joined. But I’m not focused on them. They can’t hear us. They can’t stop us. They can only broadcast our mutual desire to the world.

  “Tell me how you want me to make it better in the most graphic way possible.”

  “Touch me…there. Make it feel good.”

  That’s her ladylike version of dirty talk. It still sends me up in flames. “With my fingers? That skirt is so short, all I’ve thought about since you put it on is reaching under your hem and getting my hands on all your delicious spots. Or would you rather have my tongue?”

  “You don’t play fair,” she whines.

  “I’m not playing at all. It’s been too long since I’ve had my mouth on that pussy.”

  “You just did last night.”

  “Like I said, too long. I’d love to spread you out on my bed and tear off your panties—” I scrutinize her like I’ll be able to see what she’s wearing under her dress if I stare hard enough. “Do you have on that black lace thong Jennifer brought?”

  “Yes.”

  Fuck. Knowing she’s wearing the transparent scrap with corset lacing at the small of her back, tied off in a taunting little bow, is enough to make me lose my goddamn mind.

  “I’m going to lick and tease you through the fabric until you beg me. You’ll see how much mercy I have then.”

  Her lips part. Her breathing picks up. “Please.”

  “Are you wet?”

  “Yes.” She closes her eyes. “Sometimes all you have to do is walk into the room and…”

  “You gush for me?”

  She nods. “Yes.”

  Oh, the truth is coming out. I couldn’t be more thrilled.

  I send her a long, slow smile, then bend to skim my lips up her neck. “You smell insanely good. I want to eat you up, from your little pink toes all the way to this pretty mouth…” I brush my thumb over her lip, then murmur into her ear, “And linger on all the good places in between.”

  Her nipples bead the front of her tight dress. “You’re trying to make me crazy so people will talk.”

  “Uh-huh. Is it working?”

  “Too well.” Her eyes drift shut.

  My smile turns dirtier. “Look at me. Should I lick every sensitive spot on your body until you scream?”

  “You do that all the time.”

  If that’s a protest, it’s a weak one.

  “What can I say? When it comes to you, I’m orally fixated.” I brush a kiss across her lips.

  She closes her eyes like she’s trying to resist temptation—and failing. “Shouldn’t I return the favor?”

  Is Corinne interested in going down on me? “Anytime you want. Anywhere you want.”

  Her teeth sink into her lip shyly, her hot stare clinging to me. “I want to, but I’ve never…”

  That only turns me on more. “It will be great. You almost can’t do it wrong.”

  “Next time we’re alone?”

  Her husky whisper sends me up in flames. Suddenly, I’m impatient as hell to get out of here.

  A quick glance tells me there are at least a dozen people recording us. It’s a nice start, but I need to blow this up so we can leave this place and find some privacy.

  “Hell yes.”

  The song changes. “Looking for Your Love” by DallasK starts blasting. Corinne gets into it. I hold her hips while she sways and I drag my lips over her skin. She rakes her fingers through my hair and sends me a hungry stare that makes me chafe to get her alone.

  “Before you, I hardly ever thought about sex,” she murmurs. “I think you’ve corrupted me.”

  “And I’ve loved every minute of it.”

  Her eyes soften. “I have, too.”

  That look, right there. I’d swear she feels something for me—not as a co-conspirator but as a man. As her lover.

  Then we don’t bother speaking or even look at the crowd for the rest of the song. I simply plant my mouth over hers and lose myself until there’s nothing but her melting against me and the sound of my harsh breathing echoing in my head.

  No idea how much time has passed before we bump into others dancing. I come up for air to assess the situation. Corinne’s lashes flutter open. She looks dazed, lips swollen, and aroused. No mistaking that expression.

  More cameras aim in our direction. More people stare.

  No one seeing her face now could possibly imagine she’s still in love with Riley.

  Or am I just hoping that’s true?

  The song ends, and I look back to the table. Harlow and Noah stand. My brother-in-law salutes me. My sister blows us kisses.

  Their way of saying the stage is ours.

  Time to finish this act. I don’t want to share Corinne’s passion with the rest of the world. A little more shock and awe for the crowd ought to do it, then I’m taking her home so I can have her all to myself.

  I lead her back to the table, a luxurious, semi-private booth that’s all ours. As we sit, the server delivers fresh drinks. I swallow back my shot, grimacing at the burn blazing down my throat. But that fire has nothing on the one behind my zipper.

  Beside me, Corinne sucks back half her glass, then looks at me with feverish eyes—and drops her hand to my thigh. There’s a question on her face I don’t understand, but I know the answer is sex. That’s what she wants.

  I’m happy to oblige.

  “That’s dangerous,” I tell her with a pointed glance at her wandering fingers.

  Her lips turn up in a kittenish smile as she presses her lips to my ear. Her hand drifts closer to my stiff cock.

  “Want to know what I just realized?” she taunts me.

  “Tell me.”

  “Right now, I can tease you. I can work you up and up and up…” Her fingers glide even higher on my thigh. She must feel the heat emanating from my balls. “And you can’t do anything about it except kiss me.”

  “I’ll make you pay later.”

  The look she gives me from under her lashes nearly sends me off like a rocket. “I look forward to that.”

  This is her playful side. I don’t know if the booze or the kisses have loosened her up or whether she finally feels comfortable enough with me to let her hair down, but I’m loving this. It doesn’t feel like she’s acting. I’d swear this is fucking real.

  “Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to play with fire?”

  “Maybe I like a little heat.”

  “Hmm.” I kiss my way up her neck. “Too bad you’re wrong.”

  “About?” she asks breathlessly.

  “I can do more than kiss you.”

  She looks scandalized. “Not here.”

  I raise a brow at her. “I’ll get you off before we leave.”

  Her eyes widen—and not purely in surprise. “With everyone watching?”

  Is my once-shy virgin aroused by a little exhibitionism? Maybe. Corinne is full of surprises. Her curiosity is also conveniently timed and way more effective than what I had planned.

  I reply with a shrug that suggests I don’t care who sees. It’s not true, but if some heavy petting in public does it for her…I can indulge. If it pisses Parker off, even better.

  “You wouldn’t.” Her voice is so soft I almost can’t hear it, despite the fact our faces are inches apart.

  “You daring me?”

  Her fingers inch up my thigh again. I suck in a breath.

  “What if I am?”

  “You’re going to get burned, princess.”

  Before she can sass back, I haul her onto my lap, straddling my thighs, and settle her over my throbbing inches. Grabbing hold of her hips, I stare into her eyes. Then I press up underneath her, right where she aches.

  She gasps and grabs my shoulders. “Xavian…”

  And she rocks down on me. Through our clothes, I feel the heat of her pussy, the burn of her need. It takes everything inside me not to throw my head back with a groan. But I have to keep my wits while she loses her mind.

  I grit my teeth and growl in her ear. “That’s it, princess. Ride me.”

  She grinds against me slowly, her fingers digging into me through my shirt. “I should stop, but this feels crazy good.”

  It fucking does. “Give me your mouth.”

  No hesitation. Her eyes slide shut as she leans in and settles her lips over mine. As I stroke my way inside her, I taste champagne and her excitement. It’s as addicting as the seductive sway of her hips as she rolls rhythmically over my cock.

  Tingles tear up my spine. Sweat breaks out across my body. The crowd I know damn well that’s gathering around us recedes into the background. There’s only her, teasing me with the heat of her kiss. I’m fixated on her breasts bobbing in front of me and the pleasure tearing across her face.

  She’s killing me.

  I slide one hand low on her back and press her against my shaft. When she gasps into my mouth and her thighs tighten on my hips, need burns away my good sense. If it wasn’t for this fucking crowd, I would rip off her panties, unzip, and impale her until she’s taking every inch I’ve got. I hate that I can’t. And it’s pissing me off that every moment between us is for public consumption right now.

  She’s mine. After this stunt, I’m done sharing.

  I need to get this over with so I can take her back to my bed, lay her out, and love her right. If she’s pretending feelings for me for the cameras, I’m going to wring them out of her until she gives me her heart for real.

  With another moan, Corinne tears her lips away. Her head slides back. I lick my way up her throat and sink my teeth into the crook of her neck. Then I slide one hand under her skirt and work my thumb under her panties, settling it against her clit.

  Slowly, I rub at her.

  Her eyes fly open. Her cheeks bloom with red. She pants in my face, her breaths fast, hot, and sweet as she undulates on top of me.

  Panic creeps into her expression. “Xavian…”

  She’s going to come. In public. She knows it, and she can’t stop it.

  “Now,” I demand.

  She’s got to before she takes me with her.

  Her hips sync up with the music. Her nipples stab the front of her dress. Her mouth gapes open as her eyes slam shut. She throws herself against me, and I’m surrounded by the feel and the scent of her. She might have been a virgin a few short days ago, but she’s goddamn gutting me. Hell, she did with a glance. I feel her down to my bones. I ache to share this orgasm with her. I have to dig deep to find control.

  Her body tenses up. Climax is seconds away. I shouldn’t tempt fate, but I drag my mouth across her bare skin and inhale her. She even tastes like heaven. She makes me shudder in need. I’m so lost in her I don’t know if I’ll ever find my way out.

  I love this woman.

  Suddenly, the low hum of the crowd becomes a dull roar. It takes all my sheer will to lift my heavy lids. A small crowd of strangers and cell phones are focused on us. They’re not even trying to hide it. Bastards. None of them can see Corinne’s face, so I wouldn’t give two shits about the gawkers—except the one in a sedate suit who walks directly into my view.

  Riley Stephens.

  What the fuck is he doing here?

  I tighten my grip on Corinne and send him a killing glare. His eyes narrow. No surprise, he hates my guts. His glare also says he intends to challenge me for her.

  Never. I’ll lay waste to him before he comes near her again.

  Above me, Corinne’s body starts to quake and buck. Her hips gyrate, quick and desperate. Ecstasy breaks across her face as her lips part wide. She’s about to scream. I fucking want to hear it so bad and share in her pleasure. But I refuse to let anyone else listen to her wail of ecstasy, especially that son of a bitch Riley.

  I grab the back of her neck and yank her lips down, covering them with my own just in time to swallow her orgasmic cries.

  Closing my eyes, I shut everyone else out, reveling in the way Corinne clings to me through the last of her wracking, shuddering bliss, anger at Riley’s sudden appearance bolstering my self-control.

  Finally, she stills, breathing hard, and slowly opens her eyes. The pounding music and the murmurs of the crowd snap her back to herself, to the moment. Shock shoves aside her satisfaction. “Oh, my gosh. Are people watching?”

  She’ll know if I lie. “Yeah.”

  She winces, clearly embarrassed. I can almost see her thoughts racing. “I’ve never done anything that rash. I have to get out of here.”

  When she tries to lift from my lap, I clamp my other arm around her and hold her against me. “Listen, princess. We came here to prove you’re not marrying your ex. It went further than I planned, but mission accomplished. And the crowd got the show they wanted. So we’ll leave when we’re ready, but we’re not skulking out like we’ve done something wrong.”

  “But this must be all over the internet.” She shoots me a frenetic glance, clearly hoping I’ll refute her.

  I don’t say a word.

  Tears fill her big eyes. She presses trembling lips together. “What have I done?”

  “What needed to be done. Don’t beat yourself up.”

  “That’s easy for you to say. You didn’t orgasm in public.”

  “It was pretty fucking close.”

  Corinne shakes her head like my answer isn’t good enough. “Please. The sooner we leave here, the sooner I can start living down this embarrassment.”

  Clearly, her exhibitionist leaning is nothing compared to her good-girl sensibilities. She’s working herself up. I need to talk her down. For her sake, I hope Riley has slinked away, hat in hand, but that’s probably wishful thinking.

  Personally, I hope the gawking jackass sticks around so we can “chat.”

  “Princess, look at me. We didn’t break any laws. You didn’t show any additional skin. The table blocked everything from your waist down. There’s a wall on your left and a row of plants on your right. At most, people saw you move and shake. You did that on the dance floor.”

  “Yeah, on the dance floor. Not on your lap! Everyone must think I’m a whore.”

  I grab her chin and force her to look at me. “No, and don’t you ever suggest that again. To all those people, you got a little hot with the man you’re going to marry. So what?”

  “But you’re not,” she whispers, looking crushed.

  I want so badly to tell her we can fix that right now. If she’s willing, I’ll marry her tomorrow. Yeah, I’m that far gone. I barely knew her five days ago. Now I’d take on her burdens, deal with Parker, shield her from the world…if she’d say yes.

  This isn’t the moment to ask her to be my wife.

  Instead, I caress her cheek. “Let’s not give anyone watching a reason to think there’s anything wrong, okay?”

  “I’ll try.” Her voice sounds so small.

  It hurts me. She’s probably felt ground down and helpless under Parker’s iron-fisted rule for too long. I never want her to feel that way again.