Free Her Master's Servant (Lord and Master Book 2) by Kait Jagger Page B

systems.
    ‘Darling,’ came Isabelle’s voice from Stefan’s other side, ‘I’m thinking of making a move.’ To Luna’s horror, Stefan turned slightly and put his free arm around Isabelle.
    ‘Come on, Isabelle,’ Jem said, glancing at Luna apprehensively. ‘The night is young.’
    ‘We have to be up early, don’t we, Stefan?’ Isabelle said sweetly. ‘Other commitments…’
    ‘Isabelle and I are cutting the ribbon at a day care centre in Deersley,’ Stefan explained as Luna stiffened and every hair on her body stood on end. If she could have arched her back and hissed at him like a cat, she would have, as much as she wanted his hand off her shoulder.
    ‘Care to dance?’ came a voice next to her. Ashley Eccles from the stables, if she wasn’t mistaken, looking slightly less pimply these days but no less ill at ease in his rented tuxedo.
    She could have kissed him. ‘Love to,’ she replied gratefully, slipping out from underneath Stefan’s arm, pointedly draining her champagne glass and handing it to Jem before taking Ashley’s hand.
    ‘That was quite a show you lot put on out there,’ Ashley slurred a few minutes later as they danced to one of John Legend’s many love ballads. Ashley, Luna had soon realised, was very, very drunk. ‘I always thought when you used to work here,’ he continued, ‘that you were a bit prissy. Stuck up. But you’re alright.’
    ‘Thanks for that,’ Luna responded, her sarcasm clearly lost on the inebriated stable hand, whose hands were frankly all over her, one moving down the bare skin on her back and the other… the other tracing the top of her stocking through her dress. Jesus wept! What was it about men feeling her up tonight? Luna jerked bolt upright, pushing Ashley away from her and saying, ‘Whoa there,’ as a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
    ‘Go outside and sober up,’ Stefan commanded harshly.
    ‘S-sorry, Mr Lundgren,’ Ashley stuttered. He lurched drunkenly away and Stefan stepped closer to Luna, taking her in his arms and continuing the dance.
    ‘I was dealing with that,’ she said waspishly. ‘I didn’t need your help.’
    ‘I wasn’t offering it,’ he replied, his hand skimming her waist. ‘I’ve just been patiently waiting my turn, since it appears that everyone at the party tonight gets a go at your erogenous zones.’
    Luna glared up at him. ‘Oh, and you’re a fine one to talk, Uncle Stefan,’ she replied scathingly. ‘Cradle robbing now, are we? And how long did you wait, after I left, to crawl into Isabelle’s bed? A week? A day?’
    With that, Stefan pulled her so close that his mouth was next to her ear. ‘Why do you care, Luna?’ he murmured, moving her in a slow circle on the floor. ‘It was you who left me.’
    And there it was. He was right. She had no right to care who he was sleeping with, no claim on him. So she said nothing, continuing to dance and inwardly cursing John Legend and all his oeuvre.
    ‘While we’re at it,’ Stefan said eventually, ‘why are you here? I can only assume it’s to make me jealous, but really, Luna, stable boys fondling you on the dance floor? It’s a little sad, isn’t it?’
    Luna bridled and attempted to pull away from him. ‘I’m here because Jem asked me, you fucking—’
    ‘She’s watching us,’ Stefan warned. Luna turned to see Jem standing next to the bar, observing the two of them nervously. Pasting a smile on her face, she gave her friend a quick thumbs up.
Look, look how much fun we’re having!
Then returned her gaze to Stefan, her smile hardening into a rictus.
    ‘Who the hell are you,’ she hissed between her teeth, ‘to stand in judgement of me. You with your kissing cousin and your pubescent fan club.’ Honestly, she was shocked at the torrent of anger coursing through her. Sadness, yes. Jealousy, even – those she’d expected to feel tonight. But this all-consuming rage?
    ‘At least I’m properly clothed,’ Stefan rejoined, eyes devouring her.