Free To Have and to Hold by Nalini Singh Page B

plenty of time left so she decided to say hello to some of the other people she knew in town. However the first person she saw along the sidewalk was no one she wanted to meet. Unfortunately, she’d already been spotted.
    â€œJess!” Sylvie waved.
    Knowing the gossip would spread like wildfire if she ignored the woman, Jess dug up her best fake smile. “Hello, Sylvie.”
    â€œWhat luck to see you here when I was thinking of you a second ago. I’m throwing myself a birthday bash, an intimate dinner party. I’d love for you and Gabe to come.”
    Jess couldn’t think of anything she’d like less than to be stuck in a confined gathering with Sylvie. “I’ll talk to—”
    The blonde cut her off with a blinding smile. “Oh sorry, I should’ve said. I ran into Gabe at the bank and he said he’d be there.”
    Pre-warned by that smug smile, Jess maintained her composure. If Sylvie wanted to see her bleed, she’d have to find a sharper knife. “When’s the party?”
    â€œThis Saturday. Around seven for cocktails at my place. See you there.”
    Jess made a noncommittal noise and they parted ways. Straightening the fingers she’d curled into fists inside her jacket pockets, she strode toward the bank. Gabe stepped out seconds after it came into view. Their eyes met and she found herself watching him walk to her, stunned anew by the impact of his presence. Dear God . If he could do this to her in public, then she was in desperate straits.
    â€œWere you looking for me?”
    Shaken, she barely noticed the hint of a smile on his face. “I met Sylvie on the way over.” The memory was precisely what she needed to cut through the cloudy haze of desire.
    â€œAnd?” He raised an eyebrow.
    â€œAnd don’t you think it would be nice if you spoke to me before accepting certain invitations?”
    â€œIf you have a problem with going, we can cancel.”
    â€œThat’s not the point. I know what you think of this marriage,” she said, trying not to let emotion color her words, “but I deserve respect. You should’ve spoken to me.”
    â€œIt’s a party, Jess.” He put his arm around her shoulders and began walking. “Nothing serious.”
    She went along rather than make a scene. “Maybe I don’t want to go play nice with your ex-mistress.”
    With his body aligned to hers, there was no way she could miss his sudden tension. “If I’m not mistaken, that implies I kept her. Sylvie is more than capable of keeping herself.”
    Face burning at the subtle reminder that he was keeping Jess, she refused to look up and meet his mocking gaze. “You know what I mean. She’s not my friend. I have no intention of going to that party.”
    â€œFine. I’ll go alone.”
    That answer only increased her fury. Taking her hands out of her pockets, she folded her arms across her chest. “No, you won’t.” Thankfully, they’d reached the car by then.
    He stopped walking and released her. “Excuse me?” A very quiet, very lethal sound.
    Difficult as it was to stand her ground, she wouldn’t be able to face herself in the mirror if she didn’t. “You don’t want me to see Damon. Fine. But that works both ways. You don’t get a free pass to socialize with your old lovers either.”
    â€œThe difference, Jessica darling, is that I don’t go around avowing my undying love for Sylvie. And I sure as hell don’t crawl all over her every time she so much as crooks a finger.” He took out the car keys. “You can come to the dinner or not, but you haven’t been paying attention if you think you have the ability to stop me from going.”
    Jess wanted to scream. Because he was right—in a battle of wills, she’d always lose. Gabe had been tempered in the most cruel of circumstances and it had hardened him to all that