Tormented

14. Jealous

Lucy pov

After the meeting, James and I head to the dining area. I couldn't concentrate during the event because James had put his hand on my thigh under the table, right when we had been seated.

Throughout the discussion, he kept squeezing my upper thigh, while explaining his approach to something said. I could barely write any notes with the constant warmth of his hand on my body. I tried hitting his hand away but in return he would squeeze tighter, holding on. And damn it, I enjoyed every second of it.

James leads me to an empty table which seats two.

He pulls out the chair for me, blowing.

"My lady." He says, winking.

"Oh what a gentleman," I say, sarcastically.

He chuckles and then jogs to his seat across from me.

He sits and we hold eye contact for a few seconds, before I look away, unable to handle the growing intensity.

As I look around I notice that the dining area is just as beautiful as the lobby, with arches and even a chandelier, dripping with diamonds.

"It's beautiful." I finally say, looking back at him.

"Yes, you are." He says looking directly at me.

I note that he said "you" instead of "it" but, what do I say to that? I feel heat begin to crowd my face as I look down into my menu.

"Lucy."

I look up and see Mason, next to me.

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

He crouches down to my level.

"Just wanted to talk to you." He whispers into my ear.

I look across the table at James. He glares at Mason.

I gulp.

"Why?"

He smirks and leans even closer than when he whispered to me.

"Just to see how your boss will react." He breathes onto my neck.

I cringe away.

A loud sound erupts from the table and I look up to see James fuming, anger flooding out his eyes. He had both hands on either side of the table, looking at both me and Mason with anger and...envy. I dismiss the thought.

"What's wrong?" I question.

I see Mason from the corner of my eyes smirking still. James stands up, takes one large step to me, then grabs me. He lifts me from my chair and stares at me. His heavy breaths fan my face.

"Lucy, you know how I feel about you, and yet you let him get so close to you, while I'm right here, still stuck in the friend zone, I just feel...I feel like I'm..." He quietly states to me while my eyes widen.

He was jealous. Over me.

"But James it's not like, I-" I'm cut off before I can finish.

I what? I like you? I feel like if the rest of the world weren't here we could have been a great couple and I could have loved you as much as I wanted to. I don't like Mason?

All these possibilities, but none could be said in public, or else the paparazzi would pick me apart and I would have too much of nothing to explain.

"She's going on a date with me, in 3 days time right after this convention ends." Mason says.

Me? Um, actually...

I open my mouth to protest but not before James swings at Mason. This time my jaw drops in shock.

Mason.

James!

Mason swings back and they begin fighting. I try to stop them by yelling, threatening and bribing at them but nothing works. The security starts to gather around the entrance seeing the fight. Cameras come out, flashing photos.

James said to be professional, now what the f**k is he doing?! What to do? What to do?

I don't think as Mason pulls his arm back to punch James in the face, before I jump in the way, getting squared right in the jaw.

I feel myself fall to the ground. My vision fills with black spots as people surround my line of vision.

"Lucy! Lucy!" A voice shouts in the distance.

James?

I'm lifted off the ground as my world goes to black.