CHAPTER EIGHT

What am I doing?

He was ignoring Blake's glare, for one. But aside from that, he had his brother's PA pressed against the side of his body as he led her to the dance floor.

"I'm not really a dancer—"

"No thinking," Jacob repeated in a rasp.

"I don't think I'm in the mood—"

"Still too much thinking," Jacob said as he moved her in front of him and with the flick of his wrist, twirled her around.

And fuck, the smile on her face was worth it.

Tugging her body to his, he moved her to the beat of the music and then glided her out as he spun her once more.

"I can't believe you can dance like this," Leilani said, a smile in her eyes now.

"Of course. I'm not a caveman." Jacob smirked.

"No, you definitely are not." Leilani blushed as he continued moving her around the floor.

And she could move. Those hips of hers swayed sexily and her red shoes tapped on the floor, almost teasing him.

The next song was slower, but Jacob wasn't ready to let her go, so he pulled her closer while keeping their hips moving to the beat.

"So," he started.

"So." Leilani smiled up at him and damn if he didn't want to kiss those soft, luscious lips of hers.

"No lip gloss tonight."

Cue the blush.

And cue his cock hardening.

If she ripped out of his arms right now, the entire room was going to see his erection front and center inside his Tom Ford slacks.

"It's in my purse. Why are you so interested in my lip gloss?" Leilani seemed to catch herself, which made him grin.

"You know the answer to that," Jacob answered, rubbing his thumb against her hip.

He didn't want her to run, so he nudged her out and twirled her slower this time. As she returned to his chest, he wrapped an arm around her lower back and Leilani's head tipped to connect with his gaze.

How was she so fucking gorgeous?

Desire poured from her lush chocolate eyes.

Jacob was sure they matched his own as he imagined her naked and spread out, waiting for him to pleasure every inch of her, while his entourage joined in.

She would be a delicacy he'd long remember.

When he saw her start to break eye contact, Jacob tugged her closer, and her lips parted.

She was expecting a proposal, but he wasn't yet sure if tonight was the right time or how he'd introduce her to his way of fucking.

But there was something he needed to know, which would dictate when he acted. Like Hunter said, he had it in him to hurt someone with all the anger raging within him. He'd seen Bella hugging Leilani, and he wanted to know what that was about.

"Why were you crying?" Jacob asked.

"Oh. God. That was embarrassing. Nothing," Leilani replied, shaking her head.

He sensed the lie as he guided them deeper into the crowd on the dance floor. The desire for privacy grew. He wanted to talk, to know what she was thinking and feeling.

And to kiss her.

To...find out if she was as hot between her thighs as the arousal in her eyes indicated. If he was a betting man, he'd put a cool million on it being a yes.

"You don't seem like someone who cries at nothing." He prodded, because if she was really upset about something, having a man kiss her would be super inappropriate.

Leilani watched him for a moment, then said, "You said you'd be more fun. Talk about false advertising."

She was fine.

Jacob tipped his head back and laughed. "Is that a challenge? Because, princess, I must tell you, if it's fun you're wanting, I have quite the smorgasbord available."

"What does that mean?"

He leaned in, knowing he shouldn't, but if it was a distraction she was after, he was her man. "Want to find out?"

When she bit her bottom lip, he groaned. "I feel like I should say no."

"You should." He nodded and watched her cheeks flame.

Perhaps she wasn't ready?

At least ready for what he was offering.

"Tell me I at least cheered you up," Jacob said, running a hand down her back.

Beautiful eyes sparkled up at him. "You did. Thank you."

"Any day, princess."

"Any day?" she asked, and he liked that she was flirting with him.

Leading her from the dance floor, he let out a laugh. "Yes, I asked you to run away with me, remember?"

When they reached the others, Jacob glanced up, still laughing, and stilled. Knox, Atlas, and Levi Montgomery, his half brothers, stood next to Blake and Daniel.

Leilani turned, having taken another two steps. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern lining her face.

His jaw clenched as he watched the men.

Jacob wasn't ready to make bullshit conversation and pretend he was okay with all of this. His entire world had been shaken and his mother was yet to give him any explanation why he'd kept his father from him.

These men had grown up with his father. Their father. But he found himself resenting them despite their innocence.

Knox looked up and held his gaze, then gave him an expressionless nod. Jacob did the same, then dipped his face to Leilani.

Did she know she'd taken a step and placed her hand on his arm? She'd done so very gently, and with a care he didn't deserve.

"Feel like running away with me, princess?" Jacob asked. "Right now."

She glanced back at the group of men, then back at him in question.

God, he was an idiot. Leilani was working. He couldn't just ask her to leave. She was Blake's fucking employee.

"Who are they?" she asked before he could retract his invitation.

"Bella's brothers." Jacob answered truthfully, sliding his hands into his pocket. "Listen, I need to go."

Her lips pressed together, and sadness crossed her face. Hell, that wasn't the plan.

"Slip on some lip gloss, princess, and get back on the dance floor." Jacob brushed a long strand of shiny black hair from her forehead.

Leilani forced the corners of her lips up. "Yup, I will. Thanks. For the dance. And smile."

Oh, man.

Blake headed over to him.

"Later, princess." Before he realized what he was doing, he leaned in, kissed her cheek, and then turned to leave.

Fuck you, Blake.

He should have warned him they'd be here.