“Sweetheart, what took you so long? I was waiting for you,” Ace said with his jaw tight as stone, casting a look of frost at Fazza. I just stood there, dumbfounded.

“You—you guys are together?” Fazza’s gaze fell on my waist, where Ace’s arm was wrapped around me possessively.

“Yes, she’s taken,” Ace replied, but it came out much like a hiss. Though his expression was cool, his orbs were hard, as if warning him off, staking his claim on me.

Fazza put his hands up. “No bad intentions here, Mr. Valencian. I was just talking. Anyway, I’ll just take your leave now.”

Once he was gone and so did the others, I tried to wriggle out of his hold, but he only tightened it. Huffing, I glared up at him.

“What are you doing? And what did you mean by I was taken?”

He cocked his head. “Because you are. You’re mine.”

My heart stopped. The intensity of his gaze held me speechless. And then my heart started racing, blood ran hot in my veins as something soared in my chest.

I gulped. “I-I’m not yours.”

“You aren’t?” He leaned closer, stormy grays held me prisoner.

The shake of my head was vague.

“You sure, Rosebud? Because your eyes are saying otherwise.” His hot breath fell on my lips as his fingers dug into my flesh, sending shivers down my spine.

“Why did we stop here? We were supposed to go directly to the office, right?” I asked, glancing at the mall standing tall outside of the car window.

“At least you said something,” he remarked, eyes amused.

Pressing my lips, I scowled. After he declared his claim on me back on the terrace, all I could do was get out of his arms and run away from him. My plan to return with Liza and Matt failed as they already left me, assuming I already had a ride. And I’d no way but to get into his car with him again.

Throughout the whole ride, I hadn’t spoken to him. Even when he tried to grab my hand—the nerve of him!

“Well?” I crossed my arms over my chest, snatching his smoldering gaze there. Blood rushed to my ears.

Inhaling a deep breath, he brought his eyes back to mine. “Caleb and Tess’s engagement is this Sunday. And I need your help to choose gifts for them.”

I raised my brow. “It’s your cousin and best friend you’re talking about. You don’t know what to get for them?”