Page 27 of Tangled Control

“Just make sure you treat this cousin of mine like the precious diamond she is, ’cause if you don’t, you should trust me no more!”

Did Eric just flex his muscles?

“Don’t you know that diamond is the strongest material in the world? It takes an awful lot to break this lady.” Rian somehow seems to stand taller, looking down at Eric, while keeping the smile on his face.A slightly condescending smile.The space between the men appears tighter, suffocating me in the middle.

“True, maybe I should warn you about being cut by her, instead of worrying about you crushing Cat.”

“Guys, stop it.” I snort and roll my eyes in an attempt to rescue the situation. It may only be banter, but I sense a dark undertone to their conversation, leaving me tense. Having Rian so close doesn’t help. “Eric, I’ll get your next drink, same again?”

“No, I’ll get this round.” He reaches for his phone.

“You’re taking me to dinner. The least I can do is buy you a drink!” My voice is sharper than intended.

“Fine. Sure. Another Heineken then,” he says and nods to his glass.

I step off the stool. Rian steadies me as my feet hit the floor, his grip tighter than it needs to be around my upper arm. Unwanted heat surges in my core. I look up for a split second, seeing his face devoid of emotion. But his gaze is flashing as it meets mine, and I quickly move away, seeking refuge at the bar.

While counting my breaths, I try to compose myself. It’s too much for me being next to Rian like this. The barman finally comes to me, and I place my order. Closing my eyes, I continue to take deep breaths. Calm, calm.

My lids fly open with the heat from another body behind me.

I don’t need to turn, I know it’s him. He leans one arm on the bar, half covering my body with his. We stand like that in a tense silence, my breath no longer deep, but shaky.

“So, who is Damien?” Rian finally says. Long and strong fingers tap the bar top. Fingers that reached so far inside of me.

I clear my throat twice before the words come out evenly.

“He’s an old friend. We went to school together.”

“Just…a friend?” There is an edge to his words.

“We dated for a while.”

My breath hitches as he brushes his fingers over my cheek, burning a path on my skin, and tucks a lock of hair behind my ear. A throbbing starts low in my stomach.

“You look nice.”

Heat blooms in my chest.

“I—” Relief and disappointment war within me when the barman chooses this moment to bring my drinks. I grab them and flee from Rian. He doesn’t join us at our table again, but my cheek doesn’t stop tingling.

***

“I thought you said only one drink?” Eric comments as I take a deep lungful of the spring air out on the street.

“I had to give you a fair chance to get Gemma’s number.”

“I thank you for that.” He grins but then his brows furrow. “So, what’s going on between you and Rian?”

“Ach, we just don’t gel. I call him out on his shortcomings, and he doesn’t like it, as you may understand.” I hike my bag higher up on my shoulder, hoping that’s the end of the conversation.

“That’s not what I meant. Actually, the opposite. There’s a lot of tension between the two of you, and you’re flirting like mad.”

“We’re not!” I turn to him, gaping. Surely, we don’t flirt!

“Be careful, Cat. Getting involved with the boss is never a good idea. You of all people should know that.”

The words are like a punch to the stomach.