When You're Mine (MINE #3)(21)
Minor detail my ass.
There was no time to digest the fact that I would be meeting Barrett’s family before a leggy blonde who only had eyes for the man next to me, stopped in front of us. She was wearing a killer black dress with a fabulous pair of f*ck me heels. “Barrett,” His name flowed from her mouth, all breathy and sweet. I had to clench my jaw shut to keep from snarling at her. I stepped into him closer. I felt like a territorial bitch in heat. “I was looking for my date when I saw you walk in. The party is amazing and Mia is positively glowing.” She finally found enough courage to slide her eyes to mine.
Barrett’s fingers dipped beneath the fabric of my dress, pressing incredible heat into the skin of my lower back. “Amanda, I would like you to meet my girlfriend, Tabitha.” Shock and a spark of jealousy flashed in her wide eyes. Barrett smiled proudly down at me, that dimple he owned winking at the top of his cheek.
You are so dead!
I turned my attention back to Amanda, who still held a look of disbelief on her face. “Pleasure to meet you, Tabitha.”
I nodded.
Swinging her eyes back to Barrett, she gave him a seductive smile. “Well, I better go find my date. Enjoy your evening.”
She sauntered off, but not without glancing back over her shoulder.
Stepping out of his embrace, I fisted my clutch. “What the hell was that?”
He had the nerve to look clueless and cute. “What?”
“Hmm…let’s see. That woman either wants to f*ck you or she already has, and you introduced me as your girlfriend.” I gritted, trying to sound angry when I was anything but.
The son of bitch smiled and I thought my panties would catch on fire. “You are my girlfriend.”
A small laugh escaped my lips. I had to admit, I liked that he’d called me his girlfriend, especially when he introduced me to her. Still, the fact remained. “I am not your girlfriend.”
“Let me break this down for you. I’ve been coming inside of you for three weeks now. Made you breakfast in bed. Gave you a stone that costs more than my car. Now I’m about to introduce you to my entire family. Baby, you’re my girlfriend.”
I opened my mouth to object, but was interrupted. “What are you doing loitering in the entrance?” The older man standing in front of us was about a foot shorter than Barrett with eyes that were sharp and steady, just like his son’s. He held two glasses of champagne. “And who is this lovely young lady?” he asked, offering me a glass.
I didn’t give Barrett a chance to answer. “Tabitha Warren,” I informed him, taking the glass. “Thank you very much.”
“My girlfriend,” Barrett added with a cocky grin.
“Well it’s about damn time, son.” The resemblance was remarkable. “Corbin Shaw,” He gifted me with a familiar smile and I saw a glimpse of the future, and what Barrett would look like with more age. “That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him use that word. You must be a very special woman.”
The urge to run had never been so strong. I didn’t want to be someone special to him. I didn’t want to be his girlfriend. I didn’t want any of this.
Did I?
There is no remedy for love, but to love more.
~ Henry David Thoreau
I wanted everyone to know she was mine. If I wanted her heart, I had to take it. She would not give it up without a fight. I looked at my watch, thinking of any excuse to call it an early night, but I didn’t want this moment to end either. Watching her interact with my family only intensified the feelings I had for her, making them stronger. Any remaining doubt she was the one, after tonight, had been completely eliminated.
“She’s amazing.” Mia gave me a playful nudge to my shoulder. She could tell. Hell, everyone could tell. Tabitha was still in deep conversation with Dylan about his impressive Ninja Turtle collection. Pure happiness beamed from my mother’s face as her gaze caught mine. “I’m so happy for you, Barrett. I always knew this day would come. Just takes the right woman,” Mia said, rubbing her hand up and down Brent’s leg. He leaned over and kissed her on the neck.
My stomach rolled and the bitterness I had towards this relationship intensified. I had first-hand knowledge of every depraved thing this man had ever done, even participated in a few ruthless acts myself. No matter how hard I tried, I could not accept the fact that he was a changed man. Could love really change a person that much? I had to acknowledge it was possible, considering I myself was a changed man. Brent leaned forward, catching my eye before nodding towards the lobby.
I dropped a kiss to Tabitha’s shoulder before moving my mouth to her ear. “Be back in ten, then we’re out. I’m f*cking dying to be inside you.” The gasp I earned was well worth the stares I received when I excused myself from the table.
Walking into the lobby, I found Brent near the grand stair case, looking down at his phone. “Make it quick,” I ordered, shoving my hands inside my pockets.
“Look, I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need it. You can’t help who you fall in love with man, it just happens. Can’t we just put all this shit behind us and be a f*cking family?”
Just as I thought, another desperate attempt at salvaging the friendship we once had. “Actions speak louder than words, Brent. Prove you’re worthy of my sister, only then will I be able to overlook the past.”