Chapter Two — Relax, Princess

Anna's gaze kept sliding across the room to where Jason was standing, flocked by ladies, all laughing at whatever silly things he was saying this time.

She rolled her eyes and then jumped when Elena yelped beside her.

She turned back to the newlyweds beside her to see that Julian had dipped Elena. A smile stretched on her lips.

“You two, take pity on the singles, would you?” She teased.

“Let's just hope they don't run to us after a few weeks saying they didn't know marriage was hard.”

They all turned to the new voice, to find Jason grinning at them. Anna tensed.

“Jason,” Julian glared at him. “Are you cursing us?”

Jason grabbed him in a headlock, ruffling his hair while Julian yelped for him to get off.

“Got yourself a wife and you think you can talk back now, huh?”

Julian pushed him off, fixing his shirt and hair. “Is that jealousy I smell, Mr. Knight?” He teased right back. “Who is it that goes on about dying single, huh?”

Jason wagged a finger at him while Julian threw him a challenging look, drawing a giggling Elena back to his side.

“Is that how you want to play it, huh?”

Jason turned to Anna and she almost took a step back, unnerved by the sudden shift of his attention to her.

“Wanna hear something fun?” He asked her, his signature smirk tugging his lips up.

Anna blinked. Her gaze cut to the newlyweds behind him—Elena was nodding her head yes while Julian shook his head. She turned to a waiting Jason.

“I don't know what it matters if I want to hear it, but sure—” she shrugged, “— entertain us, I guess.”

“All those words for a simple yes. Women.”

Anna bristled but before she could give a reply, Jason was walking up to the DJ, snatching up a drink along the way. He whispered to the DJ, who handed him a mic.

“Oh god, no,” Julian muttered.

“Is he about to do what I think?” Elena asked, laughing at the look on Julian's face.

“You're supposed to be on my side, Babe.”

“Well, I want to hear embarrassing stories about you.”

Anna's lips formed a silent O. She hadn't realized that was what Jason meant. She'd been too in her head.

Jason cleared his throat, capturing the room's attention. “Mic test. One. Two.”

Chuckles went up around the room.

He cleared his throat again. “Ladies and gentlemen, as the groom's older brother, it's my sworn duty to tell you interesting things about Julian”

Julian groaned loudly. “Don’t you dare—”

Jason shot him a wicked grin. “Nobody taught him not to challenge an older brother that doubled up as a parent. We remember everything. From their childish dreams, to the girls they had a crush on.”

Julian threw his hands into the air while Anna did a double take. She moved closer to Elena and whispered, “Doubled up as a parent?”

Elena nodded. “Jason basically raised Juls after their mum's death.”

Anna blinked, unable to believe her ears. “The playboy has a heart,” she muttered.

“What?”

Anna shook her head. “Nothing.”

“My dear baby brother,” Jason continued. “Used to keep a diary. A pink one. With a sparkly lock. And inside it…well, you know.”

The room erupted with laughter. Elena covered her mouth, eyes sparkling. “You didn’t.”

Julian shook his head frantically. “He’s lying—he’s—”

“Oh, I’m absolutely lying.” Jason smirked, pacing like he owned the room. “But you all believed it for a second.”

More laughter. The tension eased but Anna couldn’t help noticing the smug way his eyes swept the room, then landed squarely on her.

“And speaking of belief—” Jason’s grin turned sharper. “I remember a time Julian thought he’d never find someone patient enough to put up with him. I said, ‘Nah, some saint out there will take pity.’ And what do you know—” He raised his glass toward Elena, “—enter Elena. A saint, indeed.”

Applause and cheers filled the room. Elena blushed into Julian’s chest.

Jason let the noise die down before his gaze cut back to Anna, pinning her in place. “Of course, saints are rare these days. Most people—” his eyes flicked down, then back up, deliberate, “—pretend to be one.”

The crowd chuckled, thinking it was a joke.

Anna’s stomach tightened. Somehow, she knew it wasn't. She glared up at him, wondering why he seemed out to crawl under her skin.

Jason tapped the mic once more, all mock-innocence. “Which is why I say it’s time we test the Chief Bridesmaid’s saintliness to keep her words—” his voice dropped low, eyes never leaving Anna’s, “—with a dance.”

Gasps, whistles, cheers rose up immediately.

Julian shook his head, laughing in disbelief. “Smooth motherfucker.”

Elena clapped like she’d just been given front row drama. Before Anna could protest, Jason was already striding toward her, mic abandoned and glass set aside. She shook her head even as a slow, melodic music filled the room.

“I'm not going to let you bully me into dancing with you,” she hissed.

“That's rich coming from you. I haven't done half the things you did. Yet.”

Anna's brows threw together at his words. Jason stepped closer, but she stood her ground, refusing to let him intimidate her.

“If I remember accurately, you were more than willing in the car.”

“You—”

“Dance! Dance!” The crowd egged them on.

Jason smirked. “Well. Give the crowd what they want, Anna de la Vegas.”

Anna's stomach twisted at the sound of her name on his lips. Before she could reply, he grabbed her hand and twirled her onto the dance floor, her silk red gown a seductive billow in the soft lighting.

He tugged her back and she fell into his chest with a soft thump, his other hand splayed out on her naked back, trailing slowly down to rest on the small of her back, right where her exposed skin ended. Her breath hitched from his touch and how close he was. She could feel his heat, how solid his chest was, her fingers dug into his shoulder.

The crowd whooped as Jason’s hand found her waist and guided her into the rhythm. Anna stiffened, trying to keep a solid inch between them, but his arm only tightened, drawing her flush against him.

“Relax, Princess,” he murmured into her ears. “You’re making it obvious you’re terrified of me.”

“I’m not terrified,” Anna snapped, keeping her chin high. “I just don’t like dancing with men who think the world revolves around their ego.”

Jason smirked. “Good thing it does.”

He spun her in a smooth twirl before pulling her back, his hand sliding over the bare line of her spine. “And judging by your pulse, I’d say your body disagrees with your mouth.”

Heat crawled up Anna’s neck. She tried to steady her breath, but his nearness. His scent. The way the room faded around them. It was too much.

She forced a laugh, brittle. “You’re ridiculous.”

Jason dipped her suddenly and Anna’s breath caught as their eyes met. For one wild second she thought he might actually kiss her.

The crowd roared with approval.

Jason pulled her upright into him, one hand pulling a leg up to his side. His fingers slid up the smooth skin of her thigh, through the high slit, dangerously high.

“Tell me to stop,” he whispered, voice hoarse and tempting.

Anna’s fingers clenched into his jacket. For a heartbeat, she couldn’t speak. Couldn’t move. Even as his hand rode higher.

Until she saw the utterly smug look on his face. The haze broke and she broke free of his hold just as the music faded out.

She couldn't believe he'd done that. In front of everyone. Worse, she'd let him.

The room burst into applause. Anna, breath stuttering in her chest and skin tingling, stormed off the dance floor, gown swirling in her wake.

Jason watched her go, jaw tight, hands clenching once at his side before his face smoothed into a lazy grin.

Cursing under his breath, he fished out his phone.

“Set it up, Ethan," he said the moment the call connected. "Time Anna de la Vegas feels the humiliation she handed out. And this time? No laughing it off in front of everyone.”