The music swelled as Alex led Karen onto the dance floor. Soft violins danced through the air, but all she could hear was the thundering beat of her heart.
People stared.
Eyes bored into her skin, lips whispered into wine glasses. But Alex… Alex only looked at her.
He pulled her closer a little too close and his hand rested possessively at her waist. Karen's breath hitched.
"Why did you say that?" she asked softly, their bodies swaying to the rhythm. "That I'm with you tonight?"
Alex's jaw tensed, his eyes flickering down to her lips. "Because you are."
She blinked. "Alex…"
"I don't like being watched like I'm a trophy, especially not by her" He added.
Karen followed his gaze and saw the red-dressed woman still standing by the wall glaring at them with venom in her eyes.
"That's her, isn't it?" Karen murmured. "The one who touched your chest earlier?"
Alex gave a curt nod. "Her name's Bianca. We were involved some years ago."
Karen stiffened.
"She's a socialite, grew up in wealth. The press loved us together," he added dryly. "But she didn't love me, just the name."
The bitterness in his tone made something tighten in Karen's chest.
"And now she's here watching, judging," he said, pulling her even closer "Let her."
"You're doing this just to get back at her?" Karen asked, suddenly uncertain.
Alex leaned in, his voice a whisper against her ear.
"I'm doing this because I hate the idea of her thinking she still owns any part of me.
And because," his lips brushed the shell of her ear, "you look too damn good in that dress."
Karen's heart stopped.
But before she could respond, a sharp voice interrupted them.
"Alex."
Bianca stood just a step away, holding a glass of champagne with all the grace of a viper.
"May I cut in?"
"No," Alex said flatly, not even pretending to be polite. "We're done talking."
Bianca's eyes flicked to Karen with a cruel smile. "You've moved on quickly, she looks like a charity case compared to me."
Karen flinched but Alex's grip on her tightened.
"Be careful," he warned Bianca, voice low and dangerous.
"You've always underestimated the quiet ones."
Bianca's smile cracked.
"You'll regret this," she hissed.
"No," Alex said coldly. "I only regret letting you near me."
Bianca's eyes flashed with rage. Without another word, she turned and stormed off.
Karen blinked, stunned. "What just happened?"
Alex exhaled slowly and ran a hand down her back. "Just a ghost. One I should've buried a long time ago."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Then Karen spoke, softer now.
"You didn't have to defend me like that."
Alex met her eyes, and for once, the walls behind his gaze weren't made of ice.
"Yes," he said quietly. "I had to."