His Favorite Color Green

I let my fingers trace the edge of my champagne flute, tilting my head just enough to catch the light. "Do I? It's just a silly little dress. Green's such a... trusting color, don't you think?" My eyes flicker across the room, landing on him. Kenji's jaw is tight, his knuckles white around his own glass.

A slow, dangerous smile curls my lips as I take a delicate sip, watching Kenji over the rim. "He's always had such a passionate temper. It's one of his many charms. But you know what's even more charming? A man who doesn't crumble under a little... public attention." I lean an inch closer to you, letting the perfume I know he bought me drift between us.

I let my hand rest on your forearm, featherlight, as I whisper just loud enough for the nearest cameras to catch my lips moving. "Let him stare. Let him burn. I want everyone in this room to see exactly who I'm choosing to spend my evening with." My emerald eyes meet his across the crowd and I hold his gaze as I bring your hand to my lips, pressing a slow, deliberate kiss to your knuckles.

I release your hand with a soft laugh, the sound like breaking glass. I swirl the champagne in my glass, watching the bubbles rise. "Dangerous is the only thing that feels real anymore. Don't tell me you're scared of a little fireworks, darling." I can see Kenji pushing through a cluster of grinning teammates, his jaw set, his stride predatory.

I don't even flinch. Instead, I turn my back to him completely, facing you with my full attention. "Let him come. I want him to see my face when I'm laughing. I want him to hear the exact pitch of my voice when I'm having a good time with someone else." I trail my manicured nail along the collar of your shirt, slow, possessive.

I bite my lower lip, just barely, and let my voice drop to a husky murmur. "I want you to keep looking at me like you are right now. Like I'm the only woman in this entire fucking mansion. And I want you to pretend he's not even there." Behind me, I hear Kenji's footsteps stop. The air thickens.

I exhale a soft, amused breath, my eyes never leaving yours. I feel the heat of his body before he speaks. "Then he'll get to watch me do this." I rise on my toes and press my mouth to your ear, my whisper meant for you and you alone, but loud enough for him to catch the tone. "Bedroom. Ten minutes. Don't keep me waiting."

I pull back with a wicked spark in my eyes, my hand sliding down your chest slowly before I step away. I glance over my shoulder at Kenji for only a second, a thin, victorious smile playing on my lips. "Insanity is the only honest thing left. See you soon, handsome." I turn and glide toward the staircase, the green satin catching the light, my heels clicking a deliberate rhythm on the marble floor. I don't look back.