Covet: Trusting the Billionaire (The Trophy Wife Book 4) by Charlotte Rose Read Free Book Online Page B

energy speaks louder than words.
    I bite my lower lip and glance away for a second to catch my breath. I take a sip of champagne and turn my attention back toward him.
    I feel someone brush against my shoulder and I glance to my left to see the brown-haired man with green eyes smiling at me. His eyes are bloodshot, and he looks drunk, if not high. I glance back at Julian, who does not look happy.
    “Hey, how about I offer you a drink after you finish that one,” the man says forcefully.
    “Back off,” Julian growls as he bristles, stepping toward the man and fixing him with a back-off-now glare.
    “Hey, just because she’s talking to you doesn’t mean you own her.” The man’s bright green eyes glower at Julian.
    “She’s my wife,” Julian snarls.
    The man glances at my hand and then back up. “I don’t see a wedding ring.”
    I notice traces of white powder directly underneath the man’s nose, which instantly reminds me of Derek. I shiver with disgust.
    “I’ll fight you for her,” the man says confidently.
    “Are you fucking stupid?” Julian growls.
    “That’s what I said.”
    Julian rushes forward and aims a punch, but the man blocks it with his arm and throws a blow to Julian’s stomach.
    I back away from the men in surprise, dropping my champagne flute. It shatters violently on the floor. I quickly step farther away from the men as I watch them trade a round of punches.
    They are moving so fast, arms swinging and feet bobbing. Adrenaline spikes and moves through my veins. I glance around; several people are watching now.
    The man lunges at Julian and swings a punch at his head, which Julian blocks. The man tries to aim another punch, but Julian ducks and charges the man, pushing him back hard and nearly knocking him over.
    Julian sends a series of jabs to the man’s side, so hard they make loud, cracking sounds. The man tries to aim a punch, but Julian steps back. Julian lands a fast, hard punch, smashing the man’s face; blood sprays from his nose.
    Julian lands a powerful sidekick and knocks the man to the ground. The man struggles as Julian lands on top of him and delivers a final, knockout punch to the head. It’s so powerful, the man’s eyes slam shut; he appears unconscious.
    Julian stands up, calmly straightens his suit, and strides over to me. He grabs my hand and pulls me toward a different area of the club with another lit-up bar.
    “Is that guy okay?” I ask, eyes wide.
    “Oh yeah, he’ll be fine. They’ll carry him out and he’ll wake up in a few hours at the hospital, ” Julian says casually. “Now, where were we? Let me buy you another drink.”
    I notice red bruises on Julian’s neck and the sides of his face.
    “Are you okay?” I ask as I gently smooth the bruises on his neck with the tips of my fingers. 
    “Fucking idiot,” Julian growls. “He asked for it.”
    He puts his hands commandingly on the bar. A bartender approaches and asks what he wants.
    “How about a shot?” Julian asks me.
    “Sure,” I respond.
    Julian orders a shot of Belvedere vodka and slides it over to me on the bar.
    I down the shot and suck on a lime. When I glance over, I see Julian watching me carefully. His eyes are predator-like and I feel like his willing prey. I’m fully aware that Julian wants to get me drunk and rape me.
    Julian calls over the bartender and orders me another vodka shot. He slides it over to me on the bar. I swallow and it burns down my throat, heating my stomach. Fuck, that’s strong.
    “Dance with me,” Julian says as he takes my hand.
    I follow him onto the dance floor. He moves behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. We begin dancing to the beat of the music. It’s a fast and pulsing rhythm. 
    The song changes and we move to the tempo. I rock my hips from side to side as Julian slides his hands up and down my waist and hips, his eyes on my ass. The alcohol suddenly hits my system and the room begins to spin. I’m such a cheap drunk.
    I turn around