Chapter 3

RYAN

Some women don’t need to say a word to ruin you. They just exist. And Olivia Bennett? She’s wrecking me quietly.

After the act she pulled this morning, I concluded that she wasn't the innocent little girl I used to know.

“Sir.” Maria stood at the door of my study, her voice soft like she knew I was already on edge. “Miss Olivia is getting ready for the gala.”

I didn’t look up right away.

My pen paused halfway across the paper, the ink bleeding slightly on the edge.

“She’s getting dressed?” I asked slowly, pushing the pen aside.

“Yes, sir. She told me to let you know.”

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling like it had answers. It didn’t. She always made sure of that.

“Fine,” I said after a moment. “Tell her we leave in thirty.”

Maria bowed her head and quietly stepped out.

I wasn’t ready to see her. I wasn’t ready for whatever she’d try next.

But I still waited at the bottom of the staircase like a man walking into a trap.

And when she appeared…

My lungs stopped working.

She stepped down the stairs slowly, one hand grazing the rail, the other brushing her curled hair off her shoulder.

Her black silk dress shone under the soft lights tight across her waist, slipping off her shoulder like it was designed to test me.

The slit ran high, baring a dangerous length of her leg with every step. Her red heels clicked gently on the floor, each step deliberate.

And her eyes? They were watching me watch her.

She smiled.

“You ready?” she asked, adjusting her clutch under her arm like this was any other night.

I blinked once.

My throat burned before I could speak. “Why are you dressed like that?”

She tilted her head. “Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to start a war,” I muttered while trying to keep my voice stable.

She descended the last step, walking past me slowly.

“I’m dressed for a gala,” she said, barely glancing my way.

“That dress is—” I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair. “Tempting.”

Too tempting for me.

Olivia turned toward me with an arched brow. “Tempting?” she repeated with a smirk.

“Let’s go,” I growled, grabbing my keys before I did something stupid.

---

The gala was already in full swing by the time we arrived.

Flashbulbs went off at the entrance. People turned to look. Some greeted me with stiff nods. Others eyed Olivia like she was a prize to be won. She didn’t seem to mind.

In fact… she seemed to like it.

She smiled for the cameras, her hand looped casually through mine like we belonged together. I hated the way these men stared at her.

If given the permission to plug their eyes off its sockets, I gladly will.

Inside, the ballroom glowed with gold light and soft music. Wine glasses clinked. Waiters glided between clusters of rich men and women who wore smiles sharp enough to cut marble.

I barely heard the introductions. I nodded when I had to. Spoke when needed. But my eyes were on her.

Always on her.

She moved like she owned the damn place. Whispering in people’s ears, flashing that smile. Laughing lightly.

And then I saw her with someone I don't mind killing instantly. DAVID.

Standing near the bar, tall, polished, too smug for his own good. He was watching her like she was already his.

She walked over.

I saw it in her walk. The extra sway in her hips. The little tilt of her head.

She was doing this for me.

And it was working.

David leaned in. Said something that made her laugh.

My fist tightened around the glass in my hand. How dare he?

She touched his arm lightly and her fingers brushed against the sleeve of his suit. I saw his eyes trail down her body, not even trying to be subtle.

She didn’t stop him.

She let him look.

Let him touch her.

And then… she danced with him.

No music cue. No announcement. Just the two of them moving close on the dance floor, his hand pressing too low on her back while hers was on his chest.

The pen I was holding broke due to how tight I was holding it.

David kept glancing at me, smirking like a bastard who thought he’d won something.

I slammed the empty glass on a tray as I stood up and my feet moved before my mind could catch up.

I reached them just as David whispered something in her ear again.

“Can I speak to you?” I asked her. m

My eyes were locked on Olivia.

She looked over her shoulder slowly, like she wasn’t surprised I’d come.

“Now?” she asked in a calm voice like she hadn’t just been grinding against my enemy.

“Now.”

David stepped in between. “Hey, come on, Ryan,” he chuckled, trying to act cool. “We’re just dancing.”

I turned to him. My jaw tensed. “This isn’t your business.”

He raised both hands. “She’s not your girlfriend. Or is she?”

“She’s not with you either,” I bit back.

David laughed softly. “Maybe she should be. She seems to like me more.”

His hand reached out, settling on her shoulder… his fingers trailing a little too low, brushing near her breast.

She flinched and glared at him.

And I lost it

My fist connected with his face before I even thought it through.

There was a thud.

David stumbled back, hitting a waiter. Glasses shattered and that made people gasp. The music screeched to a halt.

All heads turned.

Olivia stood still with her eyes wide like it would come out of its socket.

David held his nose, blood seeping between his fingers. “What the fuck is wrong with you?!”

“Touch her again, and I’ll fucking break your hand,” I growled, stepping closer with my fist still clenched.

Security moved in.

But I only saw her.

“Let’s go,” I said through my teeth, grabbing her arm.

She followed without a word until we stepped outside.

I turned fast, letting go of her arm. “What the hell were you doing in there?”

She looked amused. “Enjoying myself.”

“With him?”

She shrugged, eyes glinting. “Isn’t that what you wanted? You said to forget. I was trying.”

“You’re embarrassing yourself,” I muttered, pacing a few steps away.

“Oh?” Her voice rose a little. “I thought I was the dangerous one. You’re the one punching people and storming out.”

I spun around. “Because you're mine!” I yelled out.

She froze then pulled her arm back, the humor gone from her face.

“You said I wasn’t!” She retorted.

I looked away clenching my jaw so hard it hurt. “You need to kill whatever feelings you think you have for me, Olivia. I’m not someone you should want.”

“Then stop looking at me like you want me too.” She laughed and I couldn't tell if it was a bitter or sweet one.

“Let’s go home,” I said.

“I’m not done.”

“I said let’s go.”

“I'm gonna go check if David is okay.” She stated with a fiery look in her eyes and was about walking off when I grabbed her wrist.

“Don't test me.”

She tried to wiggle out of my hold and it dawned on me that she wasn't going to recede from her plan of going to check on David so I did the unthinkable.

Twisting her arms, I wrapped my hands around her waist and threw her over my shoulders.

Using my free hand, I opened the door to the passenger seat and threw her in, shutting it immediately.

“You confuse me! If you can't even beat the sight of me, why won't you just let me be and stop acting like a damn pest.” She yelled, slamming her hands on the headboard and rolled my eyes as the engine revved and I drove off.

“You don't control the whole world and you sure as hell can't control me.” Her words were getting into my head.

I’m quite unsure how long I would be able to hold back so I brought the car to an abrupt halt with a loud

screech.

“Get the hell out of my car.” I blurted out and watched her stare at me in shock.

“Wha—”

“Get out!!!” I yelled and she opened the door with fear and got down then I drove off without another word.