I let myself in and closed the door with a loud thud, hoping she’d hear that I’d arrived.

The air smelled of honey and vanilla and warm spices. In spite of not greeting me at the door, Eva made sure I’d feel welcome by lighting a few candles, placing a decanter of scotch, an ice bucket and a crystal glass on the heavy wood coffee table, and turning on the music. It was the same band I’d hear on the radio and their unique sound was beginning to grow on me.

Eva had a knack of making me feel good whatever the circumstances, and I loved that about her.

My eyes adjusted to the flickering light and I combed a hand through my hair while staring at my dim reflection in the ornate gilded mirror hanging above the mantel.

Tempted as fuck to surprise her by bursting into her bedroom, I had to fight the urge and take the hint that she wanted me to wait out there. Pouring a double shot of scotch over ice, I relaxed my shoulders and just savored the moment of tranquility while I waited. The leather couch squeaked under my weight as I sank down into it and let out a long breath. I sipped my drink slowly and relaxed, closing my eyes and imagining what she’d look like when she emerged from her bedroom.

Try as I might, the only images I could conjure up were of her naked. I loved every curve of her body, every nuance of her female form, and thought it a sin that she hid it from my eyes.

She didn’t keep me waiting for long. The door creaked open and her heels clicked on the tiles. My cue to get up and stand waiting at the fireplace so I could take all of her in as she came around the corner. My heart beat frantically, and I was sixteen all over again, thrilled and excited to be with my girl.

The low whistle I directed at Eva was well deserved. She looked like a million bucks, elegant in a red dress that hugged all her curves in the right places. Her chocolate brown hair cascaded down one shoulder, leaving her neck exposed on the opposite side. Easy access for my lips. Pleased at the sight, I grinned. I will be kissing her skin all night long. At least that would make the black-tie event I was forced to attend bearable.

She glided toward me with a sexy smile on her luscious lips.

“Hey, you.” Her voice was low and husky. Sexy as fuck.

Both our work schedules had been crazy, and even when I’d called Eva to just have dinner with me, she’d had her reasons as to why she couldn’t see me. As tempted as I was to show up at her door again, I didn’t want to upset her and risk her refusing to accompany me to the event, so I worked harder and put in more time than I had in the last few weeks.

“Fuck, I missed you,” I said, as it hit me like a bullet between the eyes.

My gaze went straight to her wrists, but I couldn’t detect any signs of our last bondage session. Relieved, I smiled at her while I took the rest of her in.

Red lips and long sweeping eyelashes were complemented by dangling earrings that shone as the light caught them. I took her hand in mine and kissed her fingertips before spinning her around so that I could admire all of her.

I nearly choked when she turned her back to me. My blood heated and my temperature rose a few degrees at the lush sight of the dress dipping to just above her ass, the indecent draping of the fabric begging for her skin to be touched.

“You like?” she purred, turning her head and giving me a seductive smile as she peered from under her lashes.

“I'm speechless. You look so utterly fuckable.” More than anything I wanted to touch her luminous skin and fuck her blind. “I just want to tear that dress off you with my fucking teeth.” I swallowed hard, fighting the impulse to make good on my threat.

“Ha ha. It took me hours to get ready. We have an event to attend, remember?” She raised a perfect eyebrow at me, smiling smugly. “And you look pretty dashing yourself.” She stroked my chest, smoothing out my dress shirt. “Hmm, a bowtie. That’s sexy as hell.”

Her fingertips brushed the edges of the black silk and then along my jawline, causing my blood pressure to rise a few degrees. She stood on her toes and planted the softest kiss on my lips. Her exotic perfume snaked its way to my nostrils and turned my mind to mush.

I frowned, not at all happy about her wearing the seductive swaddle of fabric barely hiding her assets in public. It mattered more than I cared to admit. Jealousy swarmed my gut and found a resting place in the pit of my stomach. I swallowed to clear the dryness in my throat, trying to rein it in and act like the mature man she expected me to be.

“I’m going to be the envy of every man there.” No fucking kidding.

She smiled knowingly. Fuck. This was doing my head in.

“I will kill any fucker who tries to touch you. You are mine only. Remember that.”

“You keep reminding me, so how can I forget?” She winked playfully.

“You’re impossible to resist, Eva. I’m not the only one who’s going to burn with desire for you tonight.”

She caught her bottom lip between her teeth, her eyes wide and round as a pink color spread over her neck and cheeks.

“Shall we go . . . before I change my mind?” I said tersely in a brusque voice.

She hooked her arm through mine. “I’m ready if you are.”

If only she knew how badly I wanted to stay here instead. The pit of my stomach roiled, turning acid at the thought of other fuckers devouring her with their eyes, wanting her.

We drove in relative silence, both deep in thought. I couldn’t fathom these strange feelings that were eating at me. I’d never cared what any of my dates had worn before, so why was Eva affecting me this way tonight? It didn’t make sense.

Just enjoy the moment.

Just enjoy being the man who has Eva on his arm, and fuck the rest.

Eva’s voice cut through my thoughts. “What’s so funny?” she asked.

I hadn’t realized I was chuckling out loud. Christ, I was definitely losing the plot here.

I pulled up at the valet parking before I answered. “I'm just imagining the look on the senator’s face when he sees you on my arm,” I said smugly.

She drew in a sharp breath. “Nolan? Nolan’s going to be here?” Her eyes widened as her mouth hung slightly open. “Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

“Fuck. I just assumed you would know he’d be here. This is an annual awards ceremony. Of course the dickhead’s going to attend.”

Her back stiffened. “I wouldn’t have come if I’d known.”

“Well, I don’t want to be here either. But since we’re here now . . .” I got out of the SUV and handed the keys to the valet driver as I made my way to her door.

I held out my hand and helped her from the vehicle. “Stay close to me, baby. Nolan won’t bother you,” I said as I tucked her hand under my arm and steered her toward the entrance, my hand firmly on the exposed skin of her back.

If the fucker knows what’s good for him, he’ll stay far, far, far away.

The event was well attended and the room was buzzing with excitement and anticipation. In the far corner a string quartet was playing yet it was hardly audible over the chatter of voices. I grabbed two glasses of champagne from the smartly dressed waiter’s tray and handed one to Eva. The young man was grinning and making eyes at Eva, so I thanked him curtly and guided her further into the room with my hand possessively in the small of her back.

Eva let out a long breath as we reached our table without bumping into anyone we knew. Frowning, I scanned the seats—each one of them was filled already. I motioned for a waitperson to come over and fix the problem as everyone at the table turned to us.

A woman with far too much makeup, who was showing more cleavage than necessary, spoke up. “Oh, you’re the chosen couple tonight. Senator Parker requested that you sit at his table. Aren’t you lucky?”

Eva’s smile slipped off her face as the news hit her. Her fingers dug into my arm. “Harrison,” she groaned. “I can’t.”