The Woman She Became

Zain." He said it like he was tasting it. His fingers were still around my wrist, his thumb moving, just slightly, against my skin. "Zain. That is a pretty name."

He turned to Raymond. His smile widened. "I like her."

"She is taken," Raymond said.

The words came fast. Faster than they should have. I heard them, and I felt something shift in the room, something I did not understand.

Alexander laughed. It was a loud laugh, a full laugh, the kind that filled the room and left no space for anything else. "She is taken? Since when do you answer for the staff, Raymond?"

Logan was still holding my wrist. His eyes were on Raymond now, his smile unchanged. "Why are you speaking for her?"

Raymond did not answer. His face was hard, his jaw tight, his hands flat on the table. I had never seen him like this. I had never seen anyone look at me like this.

Logan turned back to me. His eyes were blue, bright, and they held mine. "Are you taken, Zain?"

My heart was pounding. I could feel it in my chest, my throat, my wrists, where his fingers were still wrapped around me.

"No," I said. My voice was barely a whisper. "I am not taken."

Logan smiled. He released my wrist, slow, deliberate, his fingers trailing against my skin. I pulled back. I set the bottle on the bar. I did not look at Raymond. I did not look at anyone.

"I want her," Logan said. He was looking at Raymond now, his voice light, his smile easy. "I want her."

"Not on my watch," Raymond said. His voice was low, hard, the voice of a man who was used to being obeyed.

Logan laughed. Alexander laughed. I stood by the bar, the tray in my hands, my heart still pounding.

"Why are you being so possessive?" Logan asked. "You are about to be engaged. Or have you forgotten?"

Raymond's jaw tightened. His hands were still flat on the table, his knuckles white.

The Woman She Became. You would love it. Give it a try.