Bound to my Enemy novel Chapter 53

Chapter 53: Chapter 53.

Zane’s POV.

Donald leaves the balcony first.

He claps a hand on my shoulder, gives me that knowing look I’ve hated since we were teenagers , and says, "Don’t try to be too hard on yourself, give yourself a break and maybe you can experience and explore something great with Elaine". Then he slips back inside, glass in hand, already halfway into another conversation before the balcony doors swing shut behind him.

I stay exactly where I am.

The night air is cool, enough to ease through the lingering burn in my chest. Below, the grounds stretch out in neat lines of light.

I lean my forearms on the railing and stare out at nothing, my mind running miles per second.

This was supposed to be simple.

A marriage on paper, a strategic move mostly to get to Lucas than anything . Elaine was meant to be a variable I accounted for, not one that got under my skin. She’s stubborn , yes and more difficult than I anticipated, but difficulty doesn’t usually unbalance me.

Yet here I am, standing alone on a balcony, jaw tight, replaying the way she looked walking down the stairs earlier. The way that dress fit her like it was tailored to provoke. The way she smiled at people who weren’t me.

I tell myself it’s irritation.... Just my possessive nature.

Anything but what it actually is.

I push off the railing and head back inside.

The doors open to music and laughter. The room feels louder now, brighter, with too many people, I guess more guests arrived while I was out the balcony.

My eyes roam around the room se searching for my little spit fire...... then I see them.

Donald and Elaine are on the dance floor.

She’s facing him, one hand light on his shoulder, the other in his. Her head tips back as she laughs at something he saisd completely unguarded. It’s not just her polite laughter... It’s real and real, the kind she has never given me once before.

Something in my chest snaps tight.

I stop walking and just stare at them dancing.

Donald says something I can’t hear, and Elaine laughs again, louder this time... so much that her shoulders shoulders shake slightly. Her hair slips over one shoulder and she looks so... free.

My vision narrows..... then darkens

I don’t think, I just start moveing towards them.

Each step toward them feels deliberate and controlled, even though my hands are curling into fists at my sides. I register the urge.....clear and sharp to grab Donald by the collar and introduce his face to the floor over and over.

I don’t do it though.

Barely.

Because Elaine turns her head just slightly and sees me.

Our eyes lock for a while

And then she smirks.

It’s small and gone almost immediately.

But was there and she knows it.

That makes it worse.

Donald notices me a second later. His smile doesn’t falter, which irritates me even more. He finishes the turn they’re in, then eases back, releasing her hand smoothly like he’s doing me a favor.

"Ah," he says easily. "Here’s Zane"

I don’t look at him.

My hand closes around Elaine’s instead. I feel the warmth of her skin immediately, feel the way her fingers tense before settling.

I slide my other hand to her waist. Not gentle... not rough either . Just enough pressure to make my presence clear.

Donald steps back, unbothered. "I’ll steal you later," he says to her, winking.

I don’t acknowledge the fucker, he’s doing it purposely to get under my skin.

We start moving, because stopping would draw attention, and I don’t do scenes.

Elaine fits against me so perfectly.... Adnd that’s the problem. Her body aligns with mine like it’s been there before, like it knows where to go...... I hate that I notice.

She tilts her head up at me. "You don’t have to dance with me, you know."

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