Page 4 of Caging Liberty
Her brows bunch, and she moves closer to me. “How so?”
I glance down at Lib’s bare feet and half-heartedly lift a shoulder. I don’t have an answer for that. Not one I can give her, at least. Truth be told, it’s a rare occurrence for me to hear someone with a pussy speak their mind. It’s probably been years. So watching this bare-footed woman put a lipstick-smeared cigarette out on precious architecture after ranting about overindulgence is a breath of fresh air. Kind of like New York City is for me.
Lib bends to stand her stilettos upright while I stare down her dress, blood rushing to my cock.
“Well, I should get back in there,” she says, stepping into her heels. “Nice talking to you.”
She brushes the hair out of her face, gives me a tight smile, then takes a step toward the door.
I grab her arm impulsively, and she halts, spinning toward me.
I smile apologetically and let go of her arm. I have no idea what to say to her, only that I want her to stay.
“Yes?” She quirks a brow when I don’t say anything.
I open my mouth to speak words not yet formed, and I’m saved when Sawyer, my business partner and friend, appears in the doorway accompanied by a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair.
“There you are,” Sawyer says, annoyance evident in his tone. His gaze strays to Lib, and heat immediately ignites in his green eyes.
“Hey, honey,” Lib says, her stare pinned on the other man. She bites her lip like she’s nervous as he comes up to her.
Honey?
I eye up the guy and try to keep the jealousy at bay.
“You disappeared.” He puts his hand on her shoulder. “I was worried.”
Who the fuck is he, Richard Gere?
“I just needed some air,” Lib replies, her tone higher than it was minutes ago.
The man looks at me, and his strained smile grows. “I see you met Mr. Ramos.” He slides past me and wraps his arm around Lib’s shoulder possessively.
My brow lifts, and I glance at Sawyer a moment, his leer still pinned on Lib. She notices and shoots him a glare that only makes Sawyer smile.
“Do I know you?” I ask Lib’s date, turning my attention back to him.
He removes his arm from Lib to hold his hand out toward me. “Robert Gaumond.”
“He came to the island once,” Sawyer explains, finally dragging his eyes to me. “I introduced you.”
“Island?” Lib asks.
Sawyer snickers as Robert shifts uncomfortably for a moment.
Robert clears his throat. “Mr. Hansley owns a small, private island near Fiji. He was kind enough to invite me to a function there once.”
Afunction?That’s laughable.
“You’re welcome back anytime,” Sawyer says, his gaze aimed at Lib. “Feel free to bring your pretty, um…” His gaze lowers, then slowly climb back to her face. “Date.”
Her eyes widen as she picks up on his not-so-subtle insinuation, and her cheeks blush. He didn’tsaythat she’s a prostitute, but everyone here could hear it in his tone.
“Right, I remember now,” I interject, my words aimed at Robert before Sawyer has a chance to escalate the anger clearly blooming on Lib’s face. “How are you?”
“I’m well, thank you,” Robert eagerly responds. “And thank you for keeping my girlfriend company.”
Girlfriend? I take in all the gray in the man’s hair for a second, purposefully not looking at Sawyer’s reaction.