It was one of those gala things that he threw every year.

But things were different this year.

The black dress was clinging to you as you and your boyfriend Dominic walked into the large ballroom, your right arm looped with his left, your right holding your clutch.

You were looking for him. You didn't want to be hanging of Dominic's arm, you wanted his wrapped around you, you wanted him to be the one who held you. To be the one to take this dress off you.

And you couldn't ignore the way your heart dropped when you saw him, standing with his wife, his arm wrapped around her, his hand on her hip as they talked to some guests.

You tapped Dom's bicep, acting as if you weren't inwardly upset over seeing him so touchy with his wife, gesturing to where James was with Sharon. It wasn't right for you to be so unhappy over that.

The two of you walked closer, Dominic speaking up.

"James."

James looked away from a man you recognized as Samuel, one of his right hand men, and to your boyfriend, then to you. You noticed the way his vibranium fingers twitched on Sharon's hip as he tore his gaze away from you, back to your boyfriend.

"Dominic. Glad you two could make it." James said kindly, giving Dominic a smile. You knew it was a fake smile, the two couldn't stand each other. Especially James, he hated the way Dom treated you. Not that he'd ever show that publicly.

You smiled kindly at Sharon, and once you looked at James your smile became more genuine.

Dominic gave a sarcastic smile, looking down at you and telling you he was going to get a drink, to which you nodded, letting him walk off.

A few seconds later, a woman walked closer, who you recognized as the wife of one of James’ men, and Sharon excused herself to walk off her with her, the two chatting.

You and James shared a glance, a knowing glance, and began walking up a staircase.

He gently pushed you into a room, the door closing behind you as you looked up at him, his hands moving to your hips as he pushed you against the door.