Encore of the Avenging Muse (Sylvia and Rupert)

Sylvia was practically trapped, perched awkwardly on Rupert's lap. His hand splayed over the bare skin her cropped top couldn't cover, calloused fingers rubbing in slow, deliberate circles, leaving a flush behind.

"Wearing so little? Not worried about catching cold?" he teased, voice low.

She sucked in a breath, tried to twist away. "None of your business. Let me go." Her anger simmered, still raw from how he'd thrown her under the bus earlier- almost letting her get into real trouble, just to prove a point.

Rupert just smirked, catching her fist before she could pull free. He pried her fingers open, thumb brushing over the crescent-shaped nail marks in her palm. "If I don't keep an eye on you, you'll end up leaving your mark on me next."

She glared at him, her voice trembling. "So, Uncle Rupert, is this your idea of fun? Humiliate me again? What's next-have me flirt with your clients like some cheap hostess?"

All that pent-up frustration finally boiled over. She yanked her hand away, not even feeling the sting.

Rupert's gaze softened for a split second, something cold and stormy flickering behind his eyes before it vanished.

"Humiliate you? If that was my goal, I doubt you could handle it."

He nodded toward the other side of the VIP booth.

Sylvia looked over. Across the table, a woman was cozied up to a client, already tipsy. She giggled, fed him a few olives from the martini tray, then slipped off his diamond pinky ring and dropped it down her own blouse.

"Boss, if you can't find it, I guess I'll just have to keep it," she teased.

"Oh, I'll find it," the client laughed, his hand following the jewelry down her neckline. After a minute of shameless groping, he didn't find the ring, but he did end up with a pricey-looking bracelet for his trouble.

Must be a six-figure night for her, Sylvia thought bitterly. She almost envied the woman's shamelessness.

Suddenly, Rupert's breath, heavy and tinged with whiskey, was hot against Sylvia's ear.

"Think you could pull that off?"

Sylvia's face went hot. She clutched her top tighter, mortified.

She felt Rupert's legs tense beneath her. She tried to stand, but he held her fast, the heat from his thighs burning through his tailored suit pants. Her calm façade was slipping; panic flickered in her eyes.

Rupert couldn't resist pushing her buttons. His fingers skimmed the waistband of

her skirt. "Well? Could you?"

She shot him a murderous look. "You-jerk!"

Her innocence was so out of place in this smoky, dimly lit booth.

Rupert lit a cigarette, watching her through the haze. The way she sat on his lap lithe and tense, curves outlined in the soft light-made her look like something out of a forbidden dream. Even the client couldn't keep his eyes off her.

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Rupert's jaw clenched, crushing the cigarette between his fingers. His grip on her waist tightened, protective, possessive.noveldrama

But the client stood up anyway, swaggering over with a predatory grin.

"Why so shy, sweetheart? Maybe I should give you a lesson," he drawled. "Come

on, have a drink-don't kill Mr. Rupert's vibe."

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He shoved a glass of bourbon into Sylvia's hand, his gaze crawling over her. She felt cold all over, fists clenched so tight her knuckles whitened.

She couldn't blow her cover, but she sure as hell wasn't going to degrade herself like that woman.

The client's eyes narrowed, suspicion dawning. "Not really acting like a bar girl..... Unless―?"

Sylvia's heart hammered. She prayed the servers wouldn't catch on.

Then Rupert's hand pressed firmly against her back, urging her forward. His voice was icy, flat: “Enough with the act. Drink up."

,

She stared at him, stunned. It took everything she had to swallow the trembling in her limbs.

"Fine." She forced a half-smile, tossed back the bourbon in one go, feeling its fire race down her throat.

After all, this wasn't the first time he'd tried to humiliate her. And it probably wouldn't be the last.