Chase shot his friend a sympathetic smile before focusing on his task—getting Sabrina’s jewelry on her without compromising his marital intentions. “Only demi-Immortals are allowed to wear diamonds in The Brotherhood,” he said as he fastened the necklace in place and stepped away.
Sabrina turned around. “Everyone will know what I am?”
He pulled the bracelet from the box. “Yes. They’re all eager to meet you.” He fastened it in place and handed her the earrings.
“I wish we didn’t have to go,” she said in a soft voice, fiddling with the jewelry at her ears.
He took her hands in his. “We need to do this, Sabrina. For both of us. We’ve put it off long enough.”
She looked away, and he wished he’d kept his tone softer, but he couldn’t deny the truth. They had to do it. It had to be settled.
Tonight.
Sabrina stared out at the city as the town car made its way to the Boston Manor. The diamonds around her neck caught the light of the passing cars and sparkled in the window reflection, a nagging reminder of what she was and what was expected of her tonight.
What kind of relationship did she have with Chase that they were going to a place where they would both have sex with other people, but couldn’t touch each other? Could such a relationship work?
She shivered, remembering how dark his eyes turned when she’d walked out of her bedroom. Like he wanted to devour her. Other men looked at her that way, but not Chase. He was always so controlled, so disciplined.
Maybe that’s why he seemed safe. No man she’d known before treated her the way he did.
Then again, he spent Friday nights at the Manor with the sex slaves. Is that why he didn’t need her sexually? If they got married, would that change? Would his primary needs be met there or with her?
He’d said he had to get married; it was a requirement of being in The Brotherhood. Maybe men in The Brotherhood didn’t have sex with their wives. Maybe they got everything they needed from the sex slaves.
She blinked away tears. Why didn’t Chase want her?
“Sabrina?” He put his hand on hers. “What’s wrong?”
She shook her head, still staring out the window.
He tugged her hand, and she scooted closer to him. He wrapped his arm around her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”
She stared out the front of the car. “Nothing.”
Chase shifted and captured her chin to make her look up at him. “I know you better than that.” His gray eyes searched hers, the passion from earlier replaced with concern. “Are you nervous about tonight?”
She nodded, though that wasn’t what was bothering her.
He tilted his head. “You’ll be fine. You look amazing.” His eyes traveled down to her cleavage, and he grinned. “All those lucky men . . .”
She wrenched her chin away and turned back to the window.
“Sabrina?”
She swallowed over the lump in her throat. “Why are you so excited about the other men wanting me?”
Seconds turned into a full minute as the silence pressed against her. She stared at her hands and blinked over and over again to keep the tears from falling down her cheeks.
“I . . .” He paused. “I thought it would make it easier on you.” His voice was so low and soft she barely heard him.
“Easier on me?”
“I don’t want you to feel guilty for enjoying yourself.”
“Don’t you want me?” Her voice sounded too wistful for her own liking.
He put his hand on hers once more. “Of course I do. More than any woman I’ve ever desired in my life.”
Sabrina turned and stared at him. “Do you, really?”
“Why would you ask me a question like that?”
“You don’t act like it.”
His eyebrows jerked up. “I don’t?”
“The way you looked at me . . . tonight . . . when you got to my apartment . . . I’ve never seen you look at me like that.”
Chase blinked and stared at her. His jaw moved like he was trying to say something then he closed it. He reached out and cupped her cheek. “Sabrina, I’ve never wanted anyone like I want you. You’re beautiful, smart, funny, and sweet. And so damn sexy, this drive has been the most uncomfortable time I’ve had that I can remember.”
Sabrina couldn’t help but glance down at his hips, though the car was dark and his pants were black. She remembered the hardness when he pulled her into his arms at the apartment. “Is it just because of tonight? This dress?”
“No. Not at all.” His voice grew husky. “Every time I’m around you, it’s a battle to keep my hands to myself.”
“It is?” she whispered.
“Yes.” He pulled her close. “I can’t lose this battle, though, Sabrina. I’ve waited too long to find you to lose you over a moment of passion.” He kissed her gently and pulled her to his side.
He trembled, and she swallowed hard. “I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“For making it hard to keep your hands to yourself.”
Chase chuckled. “It’s not your fault you’re the sexiest woman alive.”
They sat silently for a few minutes, and she relaxed into his embrace. She scolded herself for doubting him. How could she forget the many times he’d pulled away when their kisses went a little too deep? “Will I remember tonight?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Because of what happened when I went with Richard. I blacked out, remember?”
“Theo said you went into a type of survival mode. You wanted to stay here. The Immortal part of you took over and made it happen.”
Relief spread through her body. “I did something good when I blacked out?” She shifted to look up at him.
His eyes widened with surprise and then softened with sympathy. “Yes. You did something good.”
She smiled, feeling lighter than she had all week, and curled up next to Chase. He put his arm around her and kissed her head.
When they finally drove through the wrought-iron gates, her heart raced. She was glad she’d been there before but it didn’t help ease her nerves.
Lights shone brightly from all the windows and a line of cars stretched back to the gates, waiting their turn to drop off their passengers.
“There will be a cocktail hour, then dinner, then a break to get ready before the actual Gathering,” Chase said. “Not everyone who attends the Gathering will be at dinner. It’s an honor to be invited to dinner beforehand.”
“Do you always go to the dinners?”
He laughed. “Yes. I have to.” His face grew serious. “Sabrina, the women will flirt with me like they always do. They can be rather forward. Are you okay with that?”
Sabrina thought for a moment. “I guess so.” In her own misery, she’d forgotten about Chase’s participation.
“Would you feel better if I didn’t have sex tonight?”
She blinked at the blunt question. Her mind screamed yes.
“I think I know your answer,” he said gently. “I understand.”
“It’s not fair of me to ask that of you.” Painful images coursed through her mind.