Jaden’s hand slides lower,settling at the small of my back.
I look at him.
He studies me through his lashes, his head tilted, his eyebrow lifted.
“What is it, baby?”
“How come I ended up with the most handsome man in the room?”
He flashes a cocky smirk, glancing away for a moment, then lowers his head and whispers in my ear.
“You don’t have to flatter me. Just say what you want.”
I grin.
“You know what I want,” I murmur as he pulls me to the dance floor.
He drapes his arms around me as we start to twirl. Moments later, his eyes fly over me, a shadow flitting through his gaze.
He brushes my cheek with his lips.
“He’s here. Are you sure about this?” he asks.
My smile dies out.
“Yes,” I say in a strained voice.
I furtively check my phone and reread the message.
‘I knowabout your future husband’s past, and I’ll keep my mouth shut if you meet me in the study room.’
“Ready?”Jaden asks.
I nod.
He squeezes my shoulder, encouraging me to get going, and winks at me as I reluctantly let go of him.
We split before reaching our table. I glance at him one last time as I walk out of the room.
Surrounded by guests, he has his eyes on me. I give him another nod and spin away.
My heart pounds in my throat as I walk across the hallway. The door is cracked open. I run my hand over my evening gown, making sure the fabric falls smoothly over my body, and walk in.
“Close the door,” he says and turns to me.
The scraps and cuts are barely visible, but his lips are still swollen. I take a step toward him yet keep my distance.
“It turns out I was right,” he says, flashing an insolent smile. Clasping my hands on my hips, I push my chin up.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s not just any kind of man. I know you turned your back to your family, but choosing him will surely cut you out of their lives completely.”
I tilt my head to the side and shoot him a pointed look, guarding my eyes.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He stretches a smile.