Aubrey eventually asked the same question Chance had earlier. “What’s the team event for tonight?”
“Unveiling of the new safe-standing section to donors and local celebrities.”
“Sounds fancy.” Aubrey elbowed Adele. “What are you wearing?”
“Oh.” Adele looked to me with wide eyes. “I just brought a black cocktail dress. Is that okay?”
I had no idea what a cocktail dress was, but I nodded. “It’ll be perfect.”
“No, you should see some of the dresses these women wear to the events. I remember the pictures of Chance with Piper Ramsey. She was red carpet ready in every single one,” Aubrey stated with a twinge of jealousy and Chance shook his head and placed a kiss to his wife’s temple.
I could practically feel Adele’s panic.
“We can swing by the store and look for something else if you’re worried, but honest, anything you want to wear will be perfect.”
Aubrey clapped her hands. “Ooooh. Let’s go shopping.”
Adele looked uncertain.
“Come on,” Aubrey pleaded. “I need some girl time. I need to get out of this testosterone filled house.” She looked to Chance. “Sorry.”
“No need to be sorry about my high semen count, princess. There’ll be more little men running around in no time, better get used to it.”
“Gross.” Adele grimaced. “Also, aww, are you guys trying for more kids?”
“I will tell you everything in the car.” Aubrey was already standing. “What time do you need her back?”
Apparently, I wasn’t invited. “The event is at eight.”
“Perfect. I’ll deliver her to you by then.”
I walked Adele to Aubrey’s car and hugged her. “Have fun.”
“Are you sure you’re okay with this? I was supposed to be spending the day with you.”
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t disappointed I’m going to miss an opportunity to have sex in the changing room of various Los Angeles stores, but I’ll be alright. Tonight, though, you’re mine.”
Finn
Because traffic was shit and the girls had spent longer than planned, I had to meet Adele at the event. I couldn’t wait to spend the evening with her. Yeah, we’d gone days without seeing each other, but knowing she was so close and not with me was killer. I didn’t want to waste one second of her time in California.
Aubrey’s car came into view and I walked over to open the passenger door. I swear if she hadn’t stepped out of Aubrey’s car and hadn’t said my name, I wouldn’t have recognized her. Nah, that’s not true. I’d recognize her anywhere, but I would have had to look twice.
The dress she wore was unlike anything I’d ever seen her wear. The skirt was long but had slits that ran up each side so when she took a step her gorgeous legs peeked out. The top of the black dress wrapped around her small waist and the front dipped just enough to see the tiniest bit of cleavage.
“You look… well, I’m speechless.”
“Have fun you two,” Aubrey said from the driver’s side and waved.
After she was gone, Adele smiled and did a little turn to show off the dress. Her confidence in it was as sexy as the rest of her. “You like it?”
“Very much. I regret that there’s a mandatory dinner because I’d like to devour you instead.”
“Oh no you don’t,” she admonished playfully. Her long hair hung in big waves around her shoulders and I fingered a strand and pulled gently. “It took hours to look like this. I need photographic proof before you wreck it.”
There’d be plenty of photographers snapping photos tonight, but I pulled out my phone and held it in front of us. She leaned close, and we both smiled as I took a couple.
“There. Proof.”
I offered my arm and she linked hers through mine as we walked inside.
“I’m a little nervous,” she admitted. “I don’t know anyone.”
“Are you planning on leaving my side?”
“No.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about.”
The place was already loud and crowded. There were a lot of media and people important to the organization in some way, but I had no idea who most of them were. There was a private dinner for the team first while everyone else had cocktails outside. I didn’t let go of Adele’s hand as I led her into the dining area.
Most of the guys were still standing around and talking before the meal was served, but I led her straight to the table.
Foster spotted us and came over carrying three flutes of champagne.
“Hey, you guys made it.”
He tried to hand us the flutes, but I shook my head. “We’re good.”
“Adele?”
“No, thanks.” Her voice was a little off, but I didn’t know if it was being offered a drink or just her nerves about meeting everyone.
He shrugged and an easy smile tugged at his lips. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Judd Foster.”
Shit. “Sorry, right. Adele, this is my buddy Foster.”
“Good to put a face with the name,” she said.
Foster smiled, but thankfully he avoided any cheesy comments about his face. I knew he was dying to interject something like, And what a face it is or something equally as awful. The guy was one bad pickup line away from being in the douchebag hall of fame. Always working the charm. In his world view, even the women he wasn’t interested in needed to be wooed.
“Lauren went to the ladies’ room, but – ah, never mind, there she is.” He smiled and tipped his head to Lauren making her way into the room. She sauntered over and Foster made the introductions.
After that, more of our teammates drifted over and Adele seemed to relax once conversation flowed around us. And thankfully, no one else tried to hand her a drink.
I squeezed her hand and leaned down. “Are you okay?”
“Stop looking at me like that. I’m fine.”
I didn’t entirely believe her, she still looked a little nervous, but my asking her nine thousand times wasn’t going to help. I took her at her word and tried to loosen up. I let Chance get in my head and I kept finding myself tensing for the second she was gonna freak out.
When Kenton called for a round of shots, I turned him down, but then Adele smiled and nudged me forward like maybe it was important to her that I not treat the situation any differently just because she was there. I took the shot but didn’t feel quite right about it and decided to pass on drinking anymore.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?” I asked, brushing my lips against hers.
“Only about a dozen times.”
“Plan on hearing it a dozen more.” I kissed her harder, sweeping my tongue inside. I was starting to think maybe Dick, the fucker, had the right idea about staying in – getting her naked would have to wait and I was running thin on patience.
She pulled back first and pressed a hand to her lips.
I did my best to keep it PG after that and focused on getting through the event. I’d mostly avoided team social calls since Cindy. It was awkward as hell at first knowing all my teammates, hell, the whole organization, knew how I’d been stood up on my wedding day. The pity, the weird apology speeches some of the guys gave me. Everyone meant well, I think, but I’d just been too embarrassed about the whole thing to feel comfortable being around anyone.