"I thought we were heading to wherever Spencer was. So why," lanie hissed suspiciously, her eyes catching movent on the side, "do I see Adam marching toward us?"
Her accusing gaze snapped to Laela, who only grinned, utterly unbothered, unrepentant, and practically radiating mischief. "Sis, I changed my mind," she announced, her voice dripping with amusent. "You were looking way too hot to be wasted on Spencer. It would be a cri to parade you in front of him when I could put you on display right here instead—" she tilted her chin toward the approaching man with a wicked gleam in her eyes, "—in front of Mr. Hotness himself."
lanie stared at Leala promising retribution in future for the betrayal. The gaze, of course, was ignored by Laela who knew her best friend to be too much of a softie to do anything to her. As for lanie, she watched Adam. The man had already cut across half the dance floor and was moving swiftly, irrespective of the crowd. How did he move so fast despite so many people. But now was not the ti to curse Laela's nosiness or Adam's swiftness.
Heart leaping, she shot Laela a sharp look, pasted on a thin smile, and shoved her straight into the swirling mass of bodies before turning on her heel and making a beeline for the upper floor from the other side. If lanie wanted to et Adam, she would have not gone to Laela's house or agreed to co here.
Adam's expression darkened and his eyes narrowed as he watched her retreat. But just as he moved to change course and follow her, soone stepped into his path. Slim fingers curled around his arm, holding him in place, and then—before he could react—a pair of arms draped around his neck.
"Where are you running off to, Hottie?" A smooth, teasing voice interrupted his focus. "You ca all this way so fast, and now you're trying to slip away?"
Adam turned slightly, shifting his attention away from lanie to the woman who had so boldly captured him. Laela.
He studied her for a mont, then let a slow, knowing smile curve his lips. Amused. "Miss Laela. I think you know exactly why I'm here." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to make her smirk falter. "Are you really going to let your dear friend escape after so cruelly throwing you into the fire?"
Laela rely shrugged, unfazed, her grin flickering back into place. If Adam Collins had gone out of his way to cut lanie off from a man who was supposed to be her husband, then of course he had investigated her and everyone around her. It was expected.
"Oh, I don't mind a little heat," she said, flashing a careless smile. "Co on, let's dance a bit."
Adam shrugged and continued to stand there in the middle of the dance floor, making no move to hold her, his hands at his side as he looked down at her.
Laela arched a brow at him, intrigued. This was the man who had been pushing boundaries, taking liberties with her best friend and keeping her on the edge and nervous. And yet, now, when it was so easy, so natural to do the sa with her, he was playing the gentleman?
Interesting.
The crowd suddenly shifted. A surge of movent sent her stumbling forward. She fell against him—but even then, even as she was pressed against his solid fra, he barely reacted. He shifted, adjusting slightly to maintain the distance between them.
Even more interesting.
Her lips curled in a slow smile. Lowering her hands, she let her fingers slide down his arms, feeling the tension in his muscles as she asked, "Not even a gentlemanly hand to catch ? Are you really that kind of man, or are you just trying to build a facade?"
Adam smiled then, and Laela blinked.
Holy shi*.
This man really was hotness. It was a good thing lanie wasn't interested in him in love that is, she couldn't bla her for wanting to bed the hottie but at least she wasn't foolish enough to love him. Otherwise, poor l would have to fight hordes of won just to keep him.
She forced herself to snap out of it as Adam finally responded. "I hardly think you needed to catch you," he said smoothly. "As for a facade? Why would I?"
Laela narrowed her eyes slightly, studying him.
No, this man was not so simple. The mask he had on. It was firmly in place. But she narrowed her eyes.
She really didn't care for people like Adam who would shed skin and change in a mont. Like snakes. She narrowed her eyes at him," What exactly are your designs on my l?"
Adam smirked again and leaned in close, his eyes now fixed on the woman who had reached the upper level," My plans?I hardly think it is any of your business, Miss Laela. You are lon's best friend. Not mine."
Laela scoffed. "See, that's where you're wrong. I'm not just her best friend. I am her sister." Her voice dropped, turning sharper, colder. "I don't give a damn about whatever deal you two have going on. Whether it's business or so twisted ga you've thought up, that's not my concern. But let make one thing very, very clear."
This ti, she leaned in closer and continued in a steel tone," If you hurt her, I will make sure you suffer for it. And trust , Mr. Hotness—" her lips curled into sothing far too sweet to be friendly as she distanced herself, "—I'm very, very good at making n pay."
For a mont, the two stared at each other, challenging. Then Adam let out a quiet exhale, sothing like amusent flickering in his expression. "Noted," he said simply.
Laela held his gaze for another beat before giving him a satisfied nod. "Good. Now go chase her. WIth the way your eyes are following her, they might just fall out of your sockets and go directly to her."
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