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?"

his expression was devoid of any warmth. She would rather he

withdrew his arm expressionlessly and turned to

behind him. "I didn't want to dance. Jake volunteered to dance, and I

sorry, Xander. I didn't mean to. I know

and got straight into the

was at a loss for words. She grabbed his

her neck was slightly pink. With the ruby dangling on

her hand and

he pinned her against the

His voice was hoarse.

that he was

"At most six minutes."

in his arms, Grace looked at him with teary

icy tone. "To give

sound of

filled with possessiveness. He almost devoured her. Grace couldn't breathe.

then said with a

He slowly released

his waist tightly

for breath.