Page 38 of Checkmate
With a strapless bodice that tied around her back, it was a miracle that it stayed in place, skimming over her hips to fall to the floor in a shimmer of silver and sparkles, the slit up her leg bringing an edge of sexiness to an otherwise elegant dress.
She looked like the belle of the ball. As though she belonged in Alex’s arms, hosting this party alongside him.
Sophie was staring daggers at her, her face red underneath her make-up. Erica knew the label was there. Marcus had texted her in the car after Sophie had warned him they couldn’t damage the dress in any way.
It was because of Marcus that Erica had also upstaged Sophie’s dress completely. Her bodice was made of sheer black lace, her neckline plunging to her stomach. Long lace sleeves pulled all the focus on her exposed skin, her breasts keeping the dress held in place. The skirt floated to the ground like a waterfall, a shimmer of delicate beading and diamantes set upon the deepest of black fabrics. Paired with a pair of heels she didn’t need, Erica towered over Sophie.
And more to the point, her dress wasn’t rented.
“Who is this you’ve brought with you?” Erica asked, turning away from Sophie.
“Oh. That’s right, you two have never met. Erica this is—”
“Marcus,” he said, cutting off Sophie. He took her hand, bringing it to his lips. Erica suppressed a giggle, keeping her eyes on his. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“Charmed, I’m sure,” she murmured, using her tone to convey her attraction. It wasn’t like she had to pretend too much.
“It’s nice to meet you again, Marcus,” Alex said, clearing his throat. “Thank you for coming.”
“Sure,” Marcus replied, his eyes still on Erica. “Where have you been hiding your lovely wife, Alex?”
“Oh, here and there,” he replied, his fake laughter ringing in Erica’s ears. Pulling her into his side, he held a possessive arm around her. “I can’t bring her out too often, otherwise I’m fighting the guys off her for hours.”
Erica rolled her eyes. “Darling, you’re being silly. And far too possessive.”
“I agree,” Marcus said, ignoring the thunderous look on Alex’s face. “With that said. Erica, will you honour me with a dance?”
“I’d love to,” Erica said with a smile. She took the offered arm and the two of them walked towards the dance floor, ignoring their seething partners.
“I think Alex might kill me the first chance he gets,” Marcus said cheerfully.
“It’s okay, I’ll make sure the cops know he did it.”
With a smirk, Marcus pulled her into his arms. “Appreciate it.” Pulling her a touch closer than would be appropriate, he winked at her.
“You look incredible tonight, Erica,” he murmured. “I don’t know if that’s okay to say.”
“More than okay,” she assured him. “What lady doesn’t appreciate compliments?”
“Well. In that case, let me tell you, the most beautiful woman in the room award goes to you tonight.”
Erica felt heat rise in her cheeks as she flushed with pleasure at his compliment. She was painfully aware of his arms around her, the hand on the small of her back.
She smiled up at him, muttering her thanks as they danced in perfect sync with one another. Looking over his shoulder, she caught Alex and Sophie watching on.
If looks could kill, she would be a dead woman.
Alex’s lips were set in a hard line, his eyes never leaving them as they navigated the dance floor. His fingers gripped his tumbler, turning white with the pressure, and even from this distance, she could feel the anger radiating from him.
Sophie did an even worse job of hiding her displeasure.
She stared daggers at Erica, her arms across her chest as she tapped her foot impatiently. Erica dropped her gaze to hide a giggle, moving closer to Marcus for dramatic effect.
“Are you sure Sophie won’t be bothered?” She asked. “She looks pretty annoyed.”
“There’s plenty of reasons she might be annoyed,” Marcus said, spinning them so he could get a look for himself. “None of them have a thing to do with jealousy.
“Either she knows this doesn’t look good, and you have to remember appearances mean everything to her. Or she’s annoyed that your dress is nicer than hers—”
