“Still won’t give you the time of day, huh?”
I jump at the sound of Nicole’s voice and frown down at her. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.” She grins and I mouth the word “tattletale.”
She opens her mouth, no doubt to say something sassy, but her face leaches of all color and she takes off with Austin following a step behind.
I glace at Theo with raised brows. He looks at his wife, Shelby, and smiles secretively. She rolls her eyes and laughs.
“You two want to let me in on the silent conversation you’re having?” I drawl. But, they are quickly losing my attention as I spot Colette talking to an older actor who has a well-earned reputation of being a manwhore.
“I’m pregnant,” Shelby giggles. I whip my head around and grin at the happy couple.
“Congratulations!” I say warmly and pound Theo’s back as I give him a hug, then move to put my arms around Shelby. Except, there’s suddenly nothing but air in front of me. I laugh because I’m familiar with Theo’s aversion to having his wife touched by anyone with a Y chromosome. “Austin and Nicole too?” I ask.
Theo nods and pulls Shelby in a little closer. “They’re always one step behind us,” he comments smugly, earning him an elbow in the ribs from his wife.
Once again, I’m distracted by the sight of Colette, but this time, I see that she’s alone. Perfect. “Excuse me. Tell Austin and Nicole I said congrats.” I’m already walking away, and I say the last of it over my shoulder.
Making a bee-line for my girl, the rest of the bodies in the theater disappear. An idea starts forming in my head, and all I can think is, “It worked for Theo and Austin.” Of course, I believe the rest of the world would call it kidnapping, but I’m quickly realizing that I don’t fucking care. She’s standing at the bar, sipping a glass of red wine and I’m still contemplating my options when I sidle up behind her. I make sure I’m close enough for her to feel my breath on her ear when I whisper, “You look incredible, baby.”
Colette starts and her wine sloshes over the goblet, narrowly missing the tux of the man standing next to her. She turns and gazes at me with wide, wary eyes. “Thank you,” she says, and a little bit of pink tinges her round cheeks. She glances around, and I wonder if she’s looking for her date.
This bullshit ends now. She’s mine.
Civilized behavior deserts me and a growl rumbles in my chest as I wrap my arm around her waist and start to guide her towards a dark hallway. A waiter walks by, and I grab Colette’s glass and set it on his tray. In another two steps, we are out of sight of ninety percent of the crowd, so I bend my knees and sweep her up into my arms before striding towards the light at the end of the hallway; an exit sign. Taking out my phone, I shoot off a quick text then pocket it again and focus on my task.
“Tyson! What are you doing?” Colette yelps. I ignore her and keep walking until we reach the door. A security guard is standing in front of it, and he lifts his chin in greeting.
“We need to make a discreet exit,” I tell him quietly.
“I can’t leave!” Colette protests with a hiss.
The guard looks hesitant until I flash my card at him and recognition flashes across his face. “We don’t want a scandal.” I give him a meaningful look. “It’s for her own good.”
Colette is sputtering and objecting, trying to push herself out of my arms. It only helps with my farce because the guard glances at her, then gives me a sympathetic grimace.
He nods and presses a button on his ear piece, saying something low enough that I can’t hear the words. Then he looks at me. “Car service?”
I shake my head. “Personal driver. He should be pulling up any minute.” I hug Colette closer and mutter, “Be still.” She stills and stares at me in shock, but I only smile because I’m getting my way.
The guard says something into his ear piece again, then steps aside, disengages the alarm, and opens the door.
Colette starts struggling again, but I just hold tighter until the black Limousine glides to a stop in front of us. My driver hops out and jogs around to open the door, not even blinking when I slide in with my reluctant hostage.
A smile spreads across my face because no matter how much she argued and tried to wiggle out of my arms; it was obvious her heart wasn’t in it. The door slams shut, and we’re alone in the quiet darkness. I can hear Colette’s rapid breathing and feel her racing pulse where my hand rests just below her breast. She has a tight grip on my shoulders, and I don’t think she realizes that her whole body is actually leaning into me.