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Steel and Lace(6)

By:Adriane Leigh


"Fine, but this isn't over, Evangeline," his eyes clouded over with lust.

We weaved our way through the people and it was only then that I realized that he was still hanging onto my hand. I looked down at our fingers intertwined and my heart skipped a few beats. What was this? What was he doing to me? We reached the far corner of the club and saw Cate and Sawyer laughing around a fresh round of drinks. Carter's jaw tightened as he and Sawyer locked eyes. He tightened his grip on my hand before dropping it. I sat down on the couch next to Cate, and Carter sat down beside me.

"We ordered you another drink, Eva," Cate informed me with a glance at Carter. Just as I was reaching for my vodka cranberry Carter slid it out of my reach.

"I think Evangeline has had enough to drink tonight." My head whipped around to him. Carter ignored me and motioned a waitress over."Water, please."

"I’ll decide when I’ve had enough to drink, thank you." I reached for my drink again.

"Evangeline," Carter's eyes flashed with anger as he pushed my drink away further. I narrowed my eyes at him, my independent streak, no doubt powered by the alcohol in my system, flared to the surface.

"Actually, I'm not done," I reached for my drink and took a long sip as I locked eyes with him.

"You're being immature, Evangeline." I continued to stare at him as I finished off the rest of my drink. Just then the waitress returned with the water. "Another, please." I sat my glass down on the table in front of me.

"No, Miss Austin has reached her limit," Carter dismissed the waitress.

I gritted my teeth in anger. "What are you doing?" I glared at him.

"We're not doing this here," Carter grabbed my elbow and hauled me off of the couch. I yanked my elbow from his grip.

"You’re right, we need to talk. In private," I turned to glance back at Cate. "I’ll be fine." She nodded and Carter guided me to the exit with a firm grip on my hip.

"What's your deal, Carter?"

"To what are you referring?" Carter's eyes flashed in amusement.

"Buying drinks for us, telling me when I've had enough, and the watch!"

"Glad to hear you got it," Carter's hand tightened on my hip as he guided me down the sidewalk.

"I got it, alright. Does your girlfriend know you go around giving random girls expensive watches?" I planted my feet, forcing Carter to stop and talk to me face to face.

"Girlfriend?" Carter crossed his arms.

"The girl you were with at the party. I can't imagine she would take too well to the idea of you gifting jewelry to other women. Where is she at tonight? Does she know you're here?"

"Nikki and I aren't dating," the corner of Carter's mouth lifted in a small smirk.

"Well, I'm still not keeping the watch," I turned on my heel to leave.

"You don't like it?" Carter's eyes flashed hurt for a moment.

"It's not that," my voice softened. "It's beautiful Carter. Stunning. But why did you send it?"

"It reminded me of you. Delicate, beautiful, bright," his hand came up to rest on my cheek. My head swirled just as much from the alcohol in my system as from his words. I placed my hand at my forehead to shield my eyes from him for a moment, as if I couldn't see him, I could think clearly. Apparently he took the gesture to mean I was feeling sick.

"I knew you'd had enough to drink. You should have listened to me, Eva," Carter placed his hand on my arm to help support me.

"No, it's not that. I’m fine. I’m just confused, Carter." I searched his eyes for a moment. "The watch is too expensive. It's beautiful, but I can't keep it. I won't." His hand tightened on my arm.

"Well, I’m not taking it back," he said bluntly. I let out a sigh. For every ounce of sex he exuded, he was just as maddening. I didn't know whether I wanted to be in his presence as much as possible, or if I should run away and save myself the headache.

"Fine," I jerked my arm out of his reach and began stomping off down the sidewalk.

"Where are you going?" Carter caught up to me in a few quick strides.

"Home," I walked with single-minded focus.

"You can't walk from here. It's dangerous."

"Of course I can, and I am." The emotional whirlwind he'd had me in all week had me reeling and I was on the verge of a breakdown. If Carter Morgan didn't leave me alone I couldn't be held accountable for my actions. His grip tightened on my arm.

"Leave me alone, Carter."

"You're not walking," he ground threw clenched teeth.

"I am," my eyes flashed angry. He dragged me tight to his body and pressed his lips roughly to mine. Both of my hands went to the nape of his neck and ran through his silky hair. I wanted to be tighter, closer, every part of my body making contact with his. I nipped at his bottom lip and a deep rumble escaped from his throat. He held me tight to him and walked us both backwards until my body was trapped between him and the brick wall of the building. His body hovered over mine as his hand traveled up my thigh and underneath my dress.