Jamie finished the conversation with a light pat on the guy’s bicep. “I’ll catch up with you later, Trent.”
Before Trent turned to go, he crooked two fingers in a silent beckoning motion, expecting the woman to obey. And she did without a word. As she followed him, shetossed a quick glance over her shoulder, offering Jamie a lingering stare.
Shannon’s expression darkened when Jamie angled back to her. Unease twisted in her stomach. She could tell Trent was the type who cycled through arm candy every night.
That’s who Jamie hung around with. Men with no morals, no principles, and more money than manners. The realisation hit her like a ton of bricks.
Clearing her throat, she met his gaze. “I don’t want to keep you from the party, Jamie. If you want me to leave, just say so.”
His forehead creased. “I don’t. I’m enjoying our conversation.”
“Well, that guy seems like a pompous prick who thinks he can buy off everyone less fortunate.” She was blunt, her voice cutting through the tension. “And his pet? What’s with that?”
“Not everyone with money is like that.” His voice dropped, threaded with steel. “A man with true power doesn’t need to flash it or buy loyalty. He commands it.”
He moved closer, the heat in his gaze dark, his presence swallowing the space between them.
“And as forthatprick and his pet…” A smirk ghosted across his lips. “He’s a poser. Playing at ownership without a fucking clue what it means to protect or worship the woman who belongs to him.”
His fingers curled under her chin, lifting it until she had no choice but to meet the intensity in his eyes.
“When I claim someone, it won’t be for show. It’s for life.”
A beat passed. The air thickened.
“Those rich assholes think they can do whatever the hell they want, and fuck the consequences, because at the end of the day, money talks,” she replied with a bite.
His arms folded across his broad chest. “Is that an observation or from experience?”
She sighed, setting her glass down with a thud. “I’ll never spend time with a guy who has more cash than sense, or more self-importance than honour.”
Jamie’s eyes flashed. He collected his glass, drained the icy liquid in one gulp.
She stood, her stomach churning.
“I shouldn’t be here. I’ll head home now. And for the record, I didn’t know you owned this place, or that the party would be full of people like him, or more to the point, that you were one of them…”
Jamie lunged forward, halting her retreat by grabbing her wrist. “Stop…”
Warning bells rang in her head. She had arrived underdressed, understated, and under the fucking illusion that a guy like him might actually want her company.
No doubt, he’d score points with his rich friends if he fucked a poor country girl. She’d seen the red flag the first time they met, when he shoved cash at her.
“I thought you were just having a knees-up in the function room and wanted me to come along,” she added,smoothing a hand over her windswept hair, her words shaky.
Tightening his grip, Jamie stood to his full height and dipped his face closer. “That’s exactly what it is. I want you to stay.”
“I’ve changed my mind.” She looked down at the tiles beneath her boots.
Jamie tilted her chin up with his forefinger. “I asked you to join me so we could get to know each other.”
“Yeah, through sex,” she said, swallowing hard.
He grinned down at her, a flicker of heat in his gaze. “I’m not gonna lie, Shannon. I’d fuck you right here if you’d let me.”
A strangled moan caught in her throat, and she glared at his wicked grin, her body betraying her as the tension between them crackled.
“I’d also be happy to just talk for a while.”
