Chapter 10: Exclusive

"Is... is there anything I need to know?" I asked, slowly turning to Sin. His hand was wrapped carefully around mine, and I wasn't sure how to explain that it felt like there was still a brick between us.

I could feel his skin, but I could feel that he wasn't there mentally. I didn't need him to be there, and I probably wasn't there either.

He stopped right in front of the massive door, and two men in pristine suits went to push it open. Suddenly, he released my hand, then gently put his hand on the small of my back, his eyes meeting mine.

Slowly, he let his fingers curve till he was cupping my waist, then brought me closer to him, his eyes meeting mine. I felt my breath hitch in my throat, my chest heaving as I struggled to breathe.

"Your skin... is exclusive to me."

My brows furrowed as he reached for my hair, then let it down, and it tumbled down in waves, covering the back of my dress. I swallowed, his hand moving upwards on my back.

"And I do as I please."

I swallowed as he turned away, his eyes cold, his head slightly tilted upwards. I struggled to tear my gaze off him, and I turned away, blinking rapidly, my chest heaving.

What I saw in front of me only served to make me lose my breath again.

There was a massive, round table of breakfast, with the most elegant props I have ever seen. But that was not even the best part. The table was filled except for two seats. The other people were sitting in pairs, and right opposite the seats we would occupy, was Larissa, and another man.

I turned towards Sin, whose eyes had only grown colder, his jaw lightly clenching. I turned back to them. Larissa was staring straight at us now, while the other man was whispering something in her ear, his hand cupping her chin.

It started to dawn on me just how grave this was. Larissa, Sin's ex-wife, left him for someone else, someone who was part of his circle.

Slowly, I straightened, adjusting my posture, so I was leaning on Sin more and adjusted my hair.

"I am ready."

He did not reply and slowly started to walk further, his steps relaxed, yet authoritative, his eyes thin. I tried my best to match his steps, to match the sheer charisma he exuded, to match the class of the sort of woman that should be hanging on his arm.

"Sin," A few said, but all of the men slowly stood up, a few reaching out to shake hands, while most just put a hand on their chest as a sign of respect. All, including the man sitting with Larissa.

Maybe I had a gold digging mentality, but why would anyone ever leave a man whom others had to stand for for someone who had to stand up for another man?

Sin only nodded off the pleasantries, then slowly let go of me and pulled out my chair. I took it, and he pushed it back. I expected him to simply walk away to his own seat, but instead, he slowly leaned behind me.

I instinctively turned to him, my eyes meeting his, and I felt like I had suddenly become the main character of a very crazily blooming romance. My breath hitched as his gaze left whatever he had been looking at behind me to settle on my eyes, and he leaned slowly. I closed my eyes even before he kissed my cheek, and he slowly moved to my ear.

"It's a quiche."

My brows furrowed, but he moved away, then went to his seat. My eyes stayed trained on him as he sat down, adjusting his coat.

"I see we now have a madam, Sin." I swallowed as the man who had spoken turned to me. "It is my utmost pleasure to meet you. I am Callum."

I smiled, looking down at his outstretched hand.

'Your skin is exclusive to me.'

I smiled instead, trying my best to look like the classy women that I sometimes stood outside fashion shows to see.

"The pleasure is mine. Annalise."

He smiled, then moved his hand away. "Just like with Larissa, she does not shake hands, too."

Before I could reply, Larissa chipped in. "There is no need to drag my name in there."

I swallowed. "I do agree with her. Just like my husband, I happen to be a very jealous woman, too."

Larissa's eyes thinned on me before Sin slowly moved forward. "Let's eat."

"Sin is indeed jealous," Callum said again, turning to Larissa. "It is the trait of a man who knows how to pick his women."

"With his recent pick, I doubt it. And look at her. I bet she feels suffocated already."

"Quite the contrary," I said, then slowly reached for Sin's hand on the table. I let my fingers move to his so I could occupy the spaces in between them. "A possessive man whom others stand for makes me feel more feminine. We obviously have different tastes."

Larissa looked towards Sin, then broke into a small laugh. "You are quite funny. But yes. We do have different tastes. I do not enjoy cheap thrills."

I blinked, my mind reeling. I didn't think Sin had said enough about her for me to win this battle, but more than working for Sin, I honestly needed to win this. For humiliating me back then, and for right now. Even without Sin, I felt like I would absolutely hate this woman.

I nodded slowly. "Definitely. We have different tastes. That is why you are waiting for me to arrive so you can eat, and that is why I know I can take my time and still meet a full table."

I heard Callum and a few others snicker, and it was quite obvious what side they were on.

"Don't you dare speak to me about my choices. You know nothing about me and..."

"Tame your woman, Aldo. Or leave the table," Sin said, his voice low.

I gave a small smile, my chest heaving.

"We apologize. I will..." Aldo trailed off, then sighed. "I will escort her to the private suite."

Sin didn't reply, and I watched as Larissa walked away, Aldo holding her arm, her eyes fixed on me till she finally left the dining hall.