Malevolence danced in the air, refusing to depart. My gaze drifted to Allister. Apathetic, but underlined with something so very scary.
A quiet, uncomfortable laugh escaped me. “It would seem my husband doesn’t like you either.” I swallowed. “Aren’t you afraid he’ll find some other dirty fed to work with?”
His gaze said he was not afraid in any way.
I’d never seen someone act so unenthusiastic to my husband’s face, let alone one of his employees. It seemed Allister wasn’t buying what Antonio was selling like everyone else did. It was . . . refreshing, and the first thing I truly liked about the man.
The tension in the air was still so thick I would grow lightheaded if I didn’t clear it.
“No date tonight?”
“No.”
“What happened to . . .” I briefly flew through the list of blondes he’d paraded around, coming up with the name of the last one. “Portia?”
“Monotony.”
“But you were perfect for each other.” I sighed, like I was seriously put out. “Both gorgeous, composed, unfeeling . . . What if she was the one and you tossed her aside without giving her a real chance?”
His gaze, so unimpressed with anything coming out of my mouth, touched me. “I didn’t know you had such an investment in my relationships.”
I got to my feet, pulling the pins out of my hair as I made my way toward him. The long strands tumbled down my back. His body tensed as the click of my heels moved closer, but he didn’t look at me until I stood in front of him.
“Have you ever thought that maybe you’re the problem?” I took the tumbler from his hand and stole a sip. The vodka in his glass always tasted better than any other.
“I’m guessing you’re going to enlighten me?” He took his glass back. He would always turn it to drink from a different spot other than where my lips had touched, but tonight, he drank straight from where my pink lipstick left a mark. It sent a strange rush of heat to my stomach.
I swallowed. “A woman likes some passion and spontaneity in her life. You, Officer, need to loosen up.”
“Should I fuck other women in her bed? Spontaneous enough, you think?”
God, he just had to know about Sydney.
I sighed.
I wanted to put a chink in that ice he wore like armor.
Stepping closer, I ran a finger across his jawline, my voice soft. “You have such a handsome face. Does it get you everything you want?”
“Almost.”
There was something so significant about that single word it put a hitch in my breath. I let my finger fall from his face with a light scrape of my stiletto-shaped nail.
“One look from you, and women swoon at your feet.”
He was growing annoyed with me. “Yet here you stand.”
I laughed lightly. “I have no interest in men, even ones as handsome as you.”
“Because you’re married?”
“Because I’m jaded.”
His eyes narrowed. “You’re drunk.”
My gaze filled with mischief when I slipped my thin dress strap off my shoulder. “And you never are. Don’t you ever live on the edge, Officer? Just let yourself have whatever you want?”
The air pulsed like it had a heartbeat as I pushed the shimmery material over my hips, letting my gown fall to my feet.