In the Lap of Luxury by Unsweetened Chestnuts

Their dance ended beautifully. Applause erupted from the crowd.

Grace tightened her grip on Jake's collar and said each word clearly, "Too bad I'm not interested in you." After that, she released her hold and was about to leave when Jake suddenly grabbed her wrist tightly.

"You..---"

Jake gazed in a certain direction and grinned. "It's okay. Someone is interested in both of us."

Grace was confused and tried to break free. Suddenly, she caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye. At once, her whole body froze, and her blood ran cold. Xander stood at the entrance of the venue. His face was devoid of the gentleness it had shown before. It was completely cold-even chilly-now.

Jake slowly removed the mask from his face. As he leaned down, his breath fanned against Grace's cheek. "Xander's here. Shall we go say hello?" Grace almost went crazy.

She pushed Jake away abruptly and rushed out of the crowd. Gasping for breath, she walked up to Xander. "Let me explain."

Xander didn't look at her but stared at Jake in the crowd. A mix of hatred and disgust overwhelmed him.

After a moment, his gaze finally settled on Grace's face.

She looked pale, guilty, nervous, and helpless.

Grace held his arm tightly. "Can you give me a chance to explain?"

devoid of any warmth. She would rather he

his arm expressionlessly and turned to

followed behind him. "I didn't want to dance. Jake volunteered to dance, and I couldn't refuse when everyone was looking at

didn't mean to. I

walked fast and got straight

words. She grabbed his cold fingers outside the elevator. "Xander,

just finished dancing, her neck was slightly pink. With the ruby dangling on

grabbed her hand

into the elevator. After pressing all the buttons, he pinned her against the cold

His voice was hoarse.

he was on the verge of

"At most six minutes."

his arms, Grace looked at him with teary eyes. "Why did you suddenly come

neck, he spoke in an icy tone. "To give

that, there was the sound of something falling to

It was hot and filled with possessiveness. He almost devoured her. Grace couldn't breathe. Eventually, her whole body turned weak, and she melted in

then said with a

then did Xander's rationality finally return. He slowly released her, breathing heavily. "Are you trying to

his waist

gasped for breath.