---- Imust have looked ridiculous,pletely out of sync.


    But I didnt care.


    I kept my eyes on the backs of the women dancing in the central circle around a massive bonfire.


    The mes cast their silhouettes in flickering light.


    I was waitingmore than civilizedfor my turn with my witch.


    Suddenly, rough hands grabbed me.


    Isnapped my gaze to a plump, freckled redhead whose green eyes sparkled as she groped me all over.


    yYoure new around here! Never seen you before! she shouted over the violins and tambourines.


    Uh, yeah, yeah! I threw back some nonsense.


    I wasnt paying attention to her.


    My focus was on my womanand the bastard now whispering something in her ear.


    Damn it, to hell with this! Then Ill see youter at the stables! Yeah, yeah...


    wait, what? I realized what she had just suggested something downright indecentand I had answered automatically.


    Tts a date, handsome! Before I could rify, she spun around and disappeared.


    The dance partners switched again.


    Ilooked for my wife.


    She had distanced herself from that slimy man.


    Something wild stirred in my chest, my breath growing heavier.


    ---- What if someone had just proposed the same thing to her? Would Katherine actually consider it? Oh, hell no.


    To hell with the dance! Istarted shoving my way through, earningints and curses.


    I couldnt care less.


    My only goal was reaching herno one was going to keep touching what was mine.


    The good thing about being tall, powerful, and exuding a dominant aura was that very few dared challenge me physically.


    Their insults meant nothing to me.


    Thenfinallyher turn came to spin, and my hands caught her narrow waist, pulling her flush against my possessive body.


    I savored her startled eyes, the softness of her breasts pressing into my chest, her delicious scent teasing my nose.


    But my little surprise didntst long.


    Her expression quickly turned cold and furious.


    What are you doing here, Duke? she muttered through clenched teeth, trying to stop, but she had no choice but to dance with meor wed disrupt the entire flow of the pairs.


    Does it bother you that much that your husband is here? Whats wrong? Already looking for my recement? I leaned into her ear and whispered bitterly.


    Our bodies were pressed together, my grip firm around her hand, not letting her pull away.


    Youre such a damn hypocrite.


    How dare you use me of that when you brought me to the same party as your mistress? she snapped back, ---- fury radiating from her.


    If it were Rosse, I would have thrown a sharp retort at her.


    But this was Katherine.


    And, truthfully, I felt like a traitorous dog looking into her eyesbecause in reality, since she had entered my life, I hadnt been with anyone else.


    Technically, I had never cheated on her.


    Darling, Ican exin.


    We need to talk.


    I have nothing to do with Sir, its time to switch partners! Let go of thedy!