“Absolutely,” she answers firmly.
I nod my head at her and let my eyes travel down her dress. “You really do look beautiful, sweetheart.” I don’t think about the words until they’ve left me. A pleasant sound comes from her lips. Not a gasp of surprise or a laugh, but something in-between. As if she’s flattered, but that she doesn’t believe me.
“I’m proud to have you by my side tonight. Do you know that?” I ask her.
She gazes at me for a moment, but doesn’t answer quickly which isn’t in her nature. She finally whispers, “Thank you.” It makes me think she truly doesn’t believe it. I need to change that.
I scoot closer to her and rest my hand on her thigh as I lean in and whisper against the shell of her ear. “A lot of the women in there are going to be jealous of you tonight.”
She turns quickly in her seat to look me in the eyes. “Because they want you?” she asks softly. There’s an expression in her eyes I don’t recognize, maybe fear, but I'm not sure.
“No,” I say and I can feel my forehead pinch as I continue, “Just because you’re so beautiful.” Her cheeks stain with that beautiful red and she looks away, pushing a stray strand of hair from her face.
Time passes as we both sway slightly in the limo, the comfortable silence stretching between us. My phone dings, and I’m quick to see who it is. With these functions, there’s always someone who wants to ensure they’ll be seen talking to me.
I’ve already missed half a dozen messages and two phone calls, several of which are from my father. I sigh and lean back in my seat, leaving the warmth of her small frame and focusing on work. She scoots closer to me, resting her hand on my thigh and leaning against me. I wait for her to say something, giving her the attention she needs, but she doesn’t say a thing. I wrap my arm around her and continue to check my email as she lays her head against me and looks out of the window. She’s simply happy to be held.
The limo comes to a stop, and it’s only when Marcus opens his door that I realize we’re here already.
“Wait here,” I tell her as she reaches for the door. “I’ll get out first, then open your door. You will not slide across the seat. Instead I want you to wait for me there,” I say and nod toward her door.
“I can do that. I will do that.” She holds my gaze as she answers me, and something flickers between us. She wants to please me. And I know she can. A small smile grows on my face and it’s then that I realize I’ve been more of myself around her than I should have been. I’ve given her a glimpse behind the mask. Instead of feeling threatened, something else settles in my chest, leaning against my heart for a moment until I hear the rap of knuckles at my door. Marcus is waiting, asking for permission to open my door.
I pull the handle and step out, immediately struck by the bright lights at the front entrance and the sparkle of gowns adorned in jewels from the crowd out front. Many turn to look to see who’s arrived. It’s show time. I recognize four men instantly, sharing a knowing look between them as they nod my way.
I fasten the middle button of my jacket and turn my back to them as I walk around the limo to open Arianna’s door. The conversations continue behind me and another limo pulls up behind us. Waiting.
As I open her door and reach my hand out for her, I know many of them are watching us. My heart hammers against my chest as I question if I’ve done the right thing.
If I’d kept her a secret, they’d have thought the worst of me. They would have come to the conclusion that I was just like Brooks. I need them to think otherwise. To believe in the character I’ve created. Most shouldn’t know, but I’m not a fool. All men talk, and these circles are small but well connected.
It’s reasonable for them to think that I’ve had a crush on her. And I’ll be playing up that part tonight, starting with the kiss I plant on the back of her hand as she stands on the pavement.
A warm blush travels to her cheeks and she naturally smiles at me, batting her lashes and waiting for me. She’s stunning and seems shy. She’s acting brilliantly. Playing the perfect role, although the idea that it’s an act makes me tense.
I whisper in her ear, “Be good for me.” And then I plant a small kiss on her cheek. As I pull away to look into her eyes, something changes in her expression. She’s stiff as she nods her head, and I question my decision to be so open.
To me, this is an act. But to her… maybe it is something else.
I plant a kiss on her lips, ignoring the spark igniting from the instant touch and wrap my arm around her waist.
She only breathes once we’ve made it to the foyer and, even then, she still looks struck with surprise. A good surprise.
If I can keep her like this all night, her presence will only make me look as though this is a genuine attraction.
I force the smile to stay on my face as my father walks toward me, a stern expression firmly in place as his eyes flicker to Arianna and then back to me.
I part with her for a moment, leaving her at the entrance of the foyer with the whispered words, “Stay here.”
She doesn’t have time to acknowledge me as I take large steps away from her to meet my father. My father is a loose cannon, and I don’t like the way he looks at my sweetheart. And whatever he has to say, it won’t be said in front of her. I won’t allow it.
My defenses rise as he stops in front of me, talking beneath his breath.
“You brought her?” he asks with an air of disbelief. My expression is like stone, fixed in place. Even the jovial glint in my eyes stays in place.
“Why wouldn’t I?” I ask him, feeling the smile on my face.
“From what I’ve heard, she should be in your bedroom… or someone else’s.” A huff of a laugh rises up my chest as I look away from my father and back to the crowd, turning to look over my shoulder and back to Arianna who’s waiting for me patiently.
“Let me get her comfortable,” I tell my father. “I’ll talk to you later tonight,” I say and pat his arm as if it was a pleasant conversation and he finally releases me. I have no intention of speaking to him again tonight. Or tomorrow.
Adrenaline races in my blood as I leave him behind me and walk toward Arianna. The entire crowd is stealing glances at her as I hold out my arm to her. Watching her. Watching us.
I do need to find out what he knows though, how the fuck he found out about her so quickly, and who else is aware of the situation.
And more importantly, I need to figure out where the information came from.
Chapter 18
Arianna
“Is it hot in here to you?” Dahlia asks, fanning herself with the fancy dinner menu that was given to all the guests in attendance. I tear my eyes away from the throng of people filling the dining room, turning them on Dahlia. I’ve been busy looking for Zander, who seems to have gotten lost in the crowd. Shortly after arriving, he led me to this table and told me to sit down after quickly introducing me to Dahlia and Lucian Stone.
It’s been ten minutes so far, and he’s still not back yet.
I pick nervously at my fingernails as I flash her a friendly smile, shaking my head, trying to hide my anxiety. This is yet another place that I feel out of place, a place where wealth and gaudy opulence is on proud display. It was easier with him here with me. All the guests are dressed in finery, and while I’m dressed similarly, I know it’s all paid for by Zander. “No, it feels fine to me,” I answer her.