I am so sorry that I am only posting two stories today. I got the first of my two covid vaccines yesterday and I know two is all I can do. I will go for more tomorrow. I wish they had stressed the side effects of the vaccine. Anyhoo...enjoy! Oh and I forgot, I love hearing from you and your comments and votes are the only way I know how I am doing. Take care all. Times will be looking up for us all soon, I hope and pray.
Chapter Six
Jason watched as she moved from one pair of arms to another. She laughed and talked, using her fan to flirt with the bevy of men that gathered around her like bees to the honey. She smiled up at the man who put his hand on her shoulder, her bare shoulder, as if he had every right to do so. And inside, he burned.
Jealousy, previously unknown and completely unwanted, burned in his gut. He wanted to walk over there and stake his claim, like some caveman. Perhaps he should get a club and knock all those men out; throw her over his shoulder, take her to his home and make her remember him. His teeth ground when he saw her lift her hand to another love-struck swain, rising to walk with him to the dance floor.
"So ask her to dance before you grind your teeth into splinters, old chum"
"I don't see you running up to Cat to ask her to dance," Jason said, fixing Teddy with a mind your own damn business stare.
"I'm working my way around to her," Teddy groused, lifting his glass of champagne with a grimace. "God, but I hate this stuff. It's like sweet bubbles."
"That's so very pedestrian of you, Teddy."
"Admit it, you'd rather be nursing a brandy or something stronger yourself." Teddy smiled as he watched Jason's jaw flex again. It was amazing to see him like this, jealous of some debutante who didn't even look at him twice.
He'd been privy to the story of the gala night , though he was sure even he didn't get told everything. And he'd been nagging his friend to go back to see her. To sneak into her bedchamber wearing the mask and see what happened.
It would make an interesting tale, to say the least.
"Whether I want a brandy or not isn't the issue here, Teddy." He sighed, running his hand with frustrated fury through her hair. "How can she let them touch her like that?" He set his glass down and took a step toward the man who'd just brushed his lips against her bare neck.
Teddy grabbed his coat, barely able to stop him without causing a scene. "Wait a minute, Jason. Bloody hell man, you can't go and beat the man to a pulp because he kissed her neck."
"Watch me," Jason growled, turning that fierce stare on his friend.
Teddy swallowed hard, knowing he was probably going to pay for this the next time they got into the ring together. "No, Jason. If you go over there and do what I see in your eyes, you'll go to jail and she'll be left to make it up to the man."
Jason stopped, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, visibly forcing himself to calm down. "Fine, I won't kill him," he grumbled. "But I can't watch this anymore. I'm going for a walk in the gardens." He turned on his heel and headed towards the open doorway, ignoring any and all who tried to hail him in passing.
Some heads turned Teddy's way and he just shrugged, holding his hands up as if to say "who can say what is in his head?"
Jason stepped into the cool evening air, walking away from the main balcony with its congregating throng and heading towards a darker, deeper part of the garden. The flowers grew wild in this area, the paths less tended and rockier. He was glad for the sturdy shoes he'd put on earlier. Strolling slowly through the tangled flora he breathed its spicy scent in deeply, enjoying the cool air and the soft sounds of the few night birds who flew through the early spring evening, hunting dinner.
He'd spent one night with the chit; not even a full night. But what a night, he thought, a small smile coming to his lips. She'd been sinfully responsive to his every touch, giving him back everything he gave and more. She'd made him blind with pleasure, turned him inside out with every touch and kiss, captured him with her every word. She was perfect.
And he'd been unable to get the image of her, of her body with its perfect lines and beautiful long legs, out of his mind. He dreamt of her, waking painfully hard and throbbing as his dreams led him back to that deserted barn and the night of the storm.
He was never like this, so obsessive over one woman. He liked variety, he liked experience in his women. So why was he so fixated on one virginal little chit? He'd even been ducking his own mistress, no longer interested in her well practiced charms.
"Oh, bloody fucking hell," he swore, picking up a loose stone and throwing it with all his might into the underbrush. Walking over to an ancient bench, he plunked down on it and stared at his hands.
"Stop!"
Jason's head came up, his nostrils flaring as if trying to catch a scent. It was her voice. He'd know it anywhere.
"I said, stop! Now, before I call for help!" A strangled scream followed, as if
something had been used to muffle her words.
Jason followed the sound of her voice, coming out into a more well tended part of the garden and in view of a sight that made his blood run hot and his eyes see red. His Alyssa was struggling in the arms of the man who'd been so presumptive as to kiss her neck earlier. Now, it seemed as if he were trying to do more than kiss her. His hands were all over her, his mouth moving clumsily over her lips.
Jason was across the space that separated them in seconds, his hands coming up to drag the bounder off of Alyssa, growling as he threw him to the ground. "The lady said no."
The man got up, wiping his hands on his pants as he stared at the interloper who had pushed him away from the lady of his choice. "Who are you that you think you can come between me and my fiancΓ©e, sir?"