Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 55093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55093 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 275(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 184(@300wpm)
I hadn’t even realized that I was holding her very snuggly around the waist until we were safely inside. The protective move had come naturally I suppose, but I didn’t release her now that she was safely inside. Not even when I snagged us both a glass of champagne. She didn’t fight my hold but in fact felt like she’d drawn herself closer under my arm. I looked down at her as she raised her glass to her lips.
She was nervous but hiding it well. There were people milling about before the show started, some of whom threw a glance our way. I’d chosen tonight as our first outing, not because of the guest list, but because I knew there would be cameras. I wanted the word to go out as soon as possible that she was mine. Tomorrow I’ll make the necessary phone calls to solidify and remind those who needed to know, just what that meant.
They may talk behind her back, there’s no help for that. But anyone careless enough to harm her publicly would feel my wrath. It was poetic justice that I would use her family’s company to launch an attack against anyone who tried. “You don’t seem overly excited to be in the company of such major stars.” I made the comment when the leading man and woman walked into the room and she barely noticed, while half the room was already flocking to their side.
She shrugged her shoulders and took another sip of her champagne before looking up at me. “I grew up here remember? The novelty wore off when I was ten.” She got her share of attention and I was sure not all had to do with the latest topic making the rounds in the rumor mill. I didn’t fault the men who gave her appreciative looks as they passed. She was easily the most beautiful woman here, and that was not just blowing smoke.
She had a youthful vitality to her that added an extra glow to her creamy soft skin and showcased her girl next-door beauty. She had just the right mix of innocence, and sex appeal to give every man in the room ideas. I said hello to a few people who approached us, some wanting to talk shop, others wanting to get a look at her. Those who’d known her old man, which was ninety five percent of those in attendance, skirted the issue of his dealings and death when addressing her.
I did pay close attention to everything with a dick that got within sniffing distance of her. I knew how some of these old reprobates think. Had I not been here she would’ve been easy pickings for more than one ill intentioned asshole with more money than brains. I must admit; some of those looks thrown her way made me just a little bit uncomfortable. Especially when they came from the younger matinee idol types.
I hadn’t yet solidified my hold on her. There was nothing more between us than a working arrangement, nothing that said she was exclusively mine, no matter that I’d already made that decision to myself. I envied every easy smile she gave to someone of the opposite sex and even growled in my throat once or twice when someone got too fucking close. That hand got tighter around her middle and I was glaring by the time the curtains went up.
I held her hand in the darkened theater and pretended interest in the scenes flitting across the screen. Was she as aware of me as I was of her? A better question Storm is when did you become a bitch. When exactly had this girl taken your balls? The question pissed me off, especially since she appeared less affected by me than I her.
She sat poised and attentive as she watched the screen while I watched her. She laughed in what I suppose were the right places, and cringed when appropriate. She was engrossed in the film while I was totally occupied with her. I realized I was jealous of the damn movie and my anger just grew.
That shit was on a slow boil by the time the lights came up and people started getting up to leave. I was tempted to drag her out of there and forego the after party and take her instead, back to my place, my bed. She was a hell of a lot more relaxed as we left and was more open and friendly to those who stopped us on the way out to ask her what she thought of the film.
I all but dragged her to the car and waved the driver away so I could see to her myself. By the time I dropped into my seat beside her I was ready to break her neck and I had no idea why. Hadn’t I wanted people to see us together, to see that she was doing just fine regardless? So why the fuck am I so pissed that she’d held up so beautifully under well hidden scrutiny?