Chapter 24

Jonathan’s POV

I sat in the back of the car, checking my watch for the third time in as many minutes.

Seven-fifteen. We were supposed to leave at seven.

My driver, Michael, glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “Should I call up to Miss Rivers’ suite, sir?”

“Give her another minute,” I said, though my patience was wearing thin.

I drummed my fingers against my knee, trying to ignore the nervousness coiling in my stomach. It was ridiculous. I have attended hundreds of these events over the years. This was just another gala, like every other night.

Except it wasn’t. Because Elena would be there.

And I had no idea what to expect. The hotel doors opened, and my breath caught in my throat.

Elena stepped out, and every single thought I had vanished.

The emerald green silk draped over her body like it had been designed specifically for her, which in a way, it had. The fitted bodice hugged her curves, accentuating every line, every dip in her perfect body, while the skirt flowed elegantly with each step she took. Her hair was swept up, exposing the graceful line of her neck and shoulders, with a few loose strands framing her face.

She looked stunning. Breathtaking. Like every fantasy I’d been trying not to have for the past three weeks.

She walked toward the car with that natural confidence she always had, though I could see the slight nervousness in the way she smoothed down the front of her dress.

Michael opened the door for her, and she slid into the seat beside me, bringing with her the scent of jasmine and home. The way she always smelled so nice was one of the things I liked about her.

“Hi,” she said quietly, not quite meeting my eyes.

“Hi,” I managed, my voice rougher than I intended.

The car pulled away from the hotel, and silence settled over the car like a curse. None of us spoke to each other.

Elena fidgeted with her clutch, opening and closing the clasp three times before she finally spoke. “Thank you. For the dress, I mean. It’s beautiful.”

I kept my eyes fixed on the window, watching the city lights blur past. “Don’t mention it. I had Lisa handle it,” I lied smoothly, the words tasting bitter on my tongue. “She has better taste in women’s fashion than I do.”

From the corner of my eye, I saw her stiffen, her jaw tightening.

“Of course,” she said.

The satisfaction I’d expected to feel from getting under her skin didn’t come. Instead, I just felt like an asshole.

But I didn’t take it back.

——

The Grand Marina ballroom was exactly what I’d expected. It was nothing short of beautiful and filled with the best and most expensive things. From outside I could already hear the music playing.

Elena and I entered together, and I immediately noticed how everyone turned to look at her. And when I say everyone I mean everyone.

Heads turned as we walked in. People even stopped their conversations when we passed, a man almost dropped his wine glass. Men’s eyes followed Elena as we walked past.

I knew she was beautiful. I’d always known that. But seeing her like this, in that dress, with every man in the room looking at her like they wanted to devour her made me feel like pulling their eyes out. It made me so fucking upset. But I tried to ignore the feeling.

We made our way through the crowd, stopping to greet investors and business associates. Elena was gracious and charming, her smile was bright even though I could sense the tension in her shoulders.

Every time someone walked up to us, their attention went to her first. The men especially couldn’t seem to look away, their eyes will first go over all her body before they remember where they were.

And every time it happened, I felt that possessive rage burn hotter.

“Mr. Hart!”

I turned to find Thomas Lim, a venture capitalist I’d met at a conference last year, walking toward us with a broad smile.

“Thomas,” I said, shaking his hand. “Good to see you.”

“And you.” His eyes immediately shifted to Elena, lighting up with obvious interest. “And who is this lovely woman?”

“Elena Rivers,” she said, extending her hand. “Mr. Hart’s Personal Manager.”

“Personal Manager,” Thomas repeated, taking her hand and holding it just a fraction too long. “How fortunate for Mr. Hart. Tell me, Miss Rivers, do you dance?”

Elena hesitated, glancing at me.

Before either of us could respond when Lisa walked up to us putting her hands at my elbow.

“Jonathan,” she said warmly, touching my arm. “Would you like to dance?”

I saw Elena’s expression shutter, her walls slamming back into place.

“I’d be happy to show you around the dance floor, Miss Rivers,” Thomas said, offering his arm with that practiced charm of his.

“That sounds lovely,” Elena said, not even looking at me as she took his arm.

They walked away before I could say anything, and I felt something dark and ugly twist in my gut.

“Jonathan?” Lisa prompted. “The dance?”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t take my eyes off them.

Thomas had his hand on Elena’s waist, holding her closer than was strictly necessary. She was smiling at something he said.

The possessive rage was building into something I couldn’t control.

“I forced myself to look away from Elena, focusing my attention on Lisa instead. “Let’s dance.”

I led her onto the dance floor, taking her hand and placing my other hand on her waist.

But my eyes kept drifting back to Elena.

Thomas was leaning in close, saying something in her ear. She laughed, tilting her head back, and I watched his eyes drop to her throat.

My grip on Lisa’s waist tightened. Lisa smiled, biting her lips.

We moved through the steps of the waltz, but I was barely paying attention. All I could see was Thomas’s hand on Elena’s waist, the way he was looking at her.

Thomas spun Elena, and her dress flared out around her, the silk catching the light. When she came back to him, his hand had moved lower on her waist.

That was it.

I released Lisa mid-step and crossed the dance floor in long strides, my vision narrowed to a single point.

“Excuse me,” I said, my voice cold enough to freeze water.

Thomas looked up, startled. “Mr. Hart…”

“We need to leave,” I said to Elena, not taking my eyes off her.

“What?” She blinked, confused. “Jonathan, the party just started…”

“Now.”

“I’m in the middle of a dance…”

I took her hand and pulled her away from Thomas, ignoring his stammered protests.

“Jonathan!” Elena yanked against my grip. “What are you doing?”

“We’re leaving.”

“The hell we are!”

I didn’t stop walking, pulling her through the crowd toward the exit. People were staring, but I didn’t care.

All I cared about was getting her away from Thomas Lim and every other man in this room who thought they could touch her.

“Jonathan, let go of me!”

“Get in the car, Elena.”

“No!”

I stopped at the entrance, turning to face her. My chest was heaving, adrenaline and possessive rage coursing through my veins.

“Get. In. The. Car.”

For a moment, we just stared at each other, the air crackling between us.

Then she yanked her hand free, her eyes blazing. “Fine.”

She stalked toward the car, and I followed, my hands clenched into fists at my sides.

This was going to be a long night.