Chapter 237
Aria's POV
I took a step back, my shoulders tensing. "Mr. Shaw."
"I feel like we've met before the auction." He moved closer, until I could smell his expensive cologne. "Your face seems so... familiar."
"I don't believe so," I replied, keeping my voice even despite the unease crawling up my spine. "Now, if you'll excuse me."
Felix didn't budge. "Kane seems quite... protective of you. Interesting dynamic you two have." His gaze flicked to the diamond necklace at my throat. "Though I notice he gave the Ruby Tears to someone else. Priorities, I suppose."
My jaw tightened, a flicker of hurt passing through me before I could suppress it. "Mr. Shaw, boundary violations aren't welcome in any social circle."
"You really don't know what you've gotten yourself into, do you, Ms. Harper?" His smile turned enigmatic. "Devon Kane isn't who you think he is. And neither, perhaps, am I."
I sidestepped him without another word, my heart pounding against my ribs. His soft laughter followed me down the corridor, settling uncomfortably between my shoulder blades.
When I returned to the VIP section, I stopped short at the edge of the platform. A statuesque blonde in a dress that left little to the imagination was perched on the edge of our leather banquette, practically whispering in Devon's ear. Her hand rested on his forearm, red nails stark against his white shirt.
Noah sat opposite them, his expression amused as he caught my eye and raised his glass in mock salute.
I hesitated, a strange mixture of insecurity and irritation washing over me. "Looks like I should head upstairs," I said, loud enough for the table to hear.
Devon's head snapped up, his eyes immediately finding mine. Something shifted in his expression—relief, perhaps, or something more possessive. Without a word, he removed the woman's hand from his arm and extended his own toward me. When I reached him, he pulled me down beside him, his arm circling around my waist, fingers pressing gently but firmly into my hip.
"Aria," he said, his voice dropping to a register that seemed reserved only for me. "This is Vanessa James. She was just leaving."
The woman's perfect features hardened momentarily, her eyes narrowing as they assessed me. "I was explaining how my Instagram following would be the perfect partnership for Kane Technology's new consumer line," she said, shifting her attention to me with a practiced smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"And why," Devon asked, his tone cooling several degrees, "would I waste my time on that?"
Vanessa leaned forward, her voice dropping to a suggestive purr. "Because I'm willing to offer... flexible terms. Whatever conditions you need, I'm open to them." Her eyes flicked between Devon and me, the implication crystal clear.
I felt Devon's arm tighten around my waist, his body temperature seeming to rise with his evident displeasure. His jaw clenched briefly before he spoke.
"Roman," Devon called to his security team member standing nearby, his voice controlled yet edged with finality. "Ms. James is leaving." Then he turned to the woman, his expression hardening. "I don't work with anyone who approaches me with improper intentions. Not in business, not in life." His eyes shifted to me, softening almost imperceptibly. "With one exception."
My breath caught at his words. The "one exception" hung between us, loaded with meanings neither of us was ready to articulate. I felt a rush of warmth spread through my chest, confusion mingling with an unwelcome sense of pleasure.
Vanessa stood, smoothing her dress with shaking hands. As Lucas escorted her away, she shot me a final glance of pure venom.
Noah chuckled into his whiskey. "Always the charmer, Devon." He set down his glass. "Speaking of business, have you considered the Cascade Media acquisition? I hear they're looking for investors before going public." His eyes slid to me. "Their platform would complement your existing portfolio... especially given certain recent interests."
Devon's thumb traced small circles against my hip, an unconscious gesture that sent tingles up my spine. His eyes remained on Noah, assessing. "Perhaps. I understand the Hayes family is also considering it."
Noah's expression shifted almost imperceptibly. "Caroline's father? I wasn't aware."
As if summoned by her name, Caroline appeared at the entrance to the VIP area, elegant in a midnight blue dress. "Noah," she called, a slight edge to her voice. "Our dinner reservation is in twenty minutes."
Noah drained his glass, his usual casual demeanor momentarily strained. "Duty calls," he said, standing. "We should finish this conversation later, Devon."
As Noah allowed himself to be led away, I turned to Devon. "Those two seem..."
"Complicated," Devon finished for me, his expression revealing a hint of something like sympathy for his friend. "Noah's finding marriage isn't exactly what he expected."
I watched Caroline leading Noah away, her grip on his arm just a touch too tight. "Let me guess—he still wants his freedom, and she wants him all to herself?"
"Two months of engagement has changed things," Devon said, his voice low. "Noah thought Caroline understood the kind of man she was marrying. She claimed she could handle his... social nature." He paused. "Now she tracks his movements, questions his calls, shows up unannounced. That's why he's here tonight—escaping."
I couldn't suppress my disapproval. "If he wanted to keep sleeping with other women, he shouldn't have gotten engaged."
A small, almost sad smile touched Devon's lips. "Most men aren't built for complete fidelity, Aria."
"That's just an excuse," I said, more sharply than I intended. "If you truly love someone, you don't want anyone else."
Devon's expression turned unreadable as he studied my face. "And you would demand complete devotion? No wandering eyes, no private thoughts, no separate interests?"
The question caught me off guard. If Devon and I were truly together—not this arrangement we had now, but something real—would I become possessive? The thought of him with another woman made my stomach clench painfully. Would I drive him away with jealousy and demands, like Caroline seemed to be doing with Noah? The models, the business contacts, the woman wearing his ruby necklace... I'd already felt the sting of jealousy more times than I cared to admit.
"I would expect honesty and respect," I said finally, meeting his gaze. "The rest... I don't know."
Devon continued to watch me, his eyes darkening slightly. "Now, we have more important matters. Let's see what Victoria has to say for herself."