I bristled slightly at the mention of Sean. “He had a work thing. It was unavoidable.”
Garrett shook his head, a look of sad, calculated wisdom on his face. “Of course. A man like that—a public figure with a career to maintain—his work will always come first. It’s the nature of the beast. But it means that you, your needs, your big moments…” He let that sink in before delivering the final, quiet blow. “It’s just business, Beth. A man like Sean has a portfolio of priorities. The career, the brand… those are his primary assets. Everything else, even someone as incredible as you, becomes a secondary investment. It’s just the math of ambition.”
His words hit my deepest, most primal fear: that I would never be enough for someone to choose me first. Not my parents. And now, maybe not even Sean. He’d chosen a conference over being here with me. Garrett wasn’t just planting a seed of doubt; he was watering a weed that had been growing in my heart my entire life.
I shifted uncomfortably, annoyed by his presumption but unable to shake the cold truth of his words.
“Come here,” Garrett said suddenly, his voice softening as he opened his arms. “You look like you need a hug.”
Before I could protest, he’d pulled me against his chest in what was supposed to be a friendly, comforting embrace. But almost immediately, his hands began to roam, one dipping dangerously low on my back, the other sliding up to stroke my bare shoulder in a way that made my skin crawl.
I was about to plant my heel on his expensive shoe and shove him away when he suddenly stiffened, his head jerking up toward the arched doorway behind me as if he’d seen a ghost. His face went pale.
“I… I need to go,” he stammered, dropping his arms abruptly as if they’d been burned. “I just remembered something. Urgent. Gotta go.”
And just like that, he was gone, practically fleeing back into the ballroom, leaving me alone on the balcony, confused and unsettled. What the hell was that all about? His sudden change in demeanor was jarring. I was certain I’d seen a flash of movement in the shadows of the doorway just as Garrett looked up, the sense of another presence making the hair onmy arms stand up. But when I peered into the darkness, there was no one there.
Shaking off the creepy feeling, I decided I needed to collect myself. Making my way back inside, I headed for the relative quiet of the hallway leading to the ladies’ room to check my makeup and get my thoughts in order. The sounds of the gala faded as I walked. I turned the corner?—
And there he was.
Sean McCrae, looking devastatingly handsome in a perfectly fitted tuxedo, his dark hair slightly tousled. My heart did a painful lurch. For a second, I thought he was the one I’d seen, the one who’d scared Garrett off.
“Sean?” I whispered, my voice trembling. “What are you doing back here already? I thought you were coming tomorrow. Were you just… out on the balcony?”
He frowned, a look of genuine confusion on his face. “The balcony? No, I just got here. I came up the main stairs and was looking for you. Why? What happened on the balcony?”
The blood ran cold in my veins. It wasn’t him. So, who the hell had I seen? Who scared Garrett?
I saw the concern deepen in Sean’s eyes as he took in my expression. I couldn’t tell him what just happened. I couldn’t start our reunion by explaining that Garrett, who Sean despised, had been getting handsy with me while a mystery figure lurked in the shadows. It was too much drama.
“Nothing,” I lied, forcing a smile. “It’s nothing. I just… thought I saw someone. I’m a little on edge tonight, because…of the big event.”
He stepped closer, his gaze searching mine. “You’re shaken,” he said, his voice a low, protective growl. “Alright. Here’s the plan. I’m here now. I’m not leaving your side for the rest of the night. We’ll go back in there, and I’ll be your shadow. Ifanyone so much as looks at you funny, I’ll handle it. You just focus on your duties.”
His offer was incredibly sweet. The thought of him as my personal bodyguard, glaring down anyone who bothered me, was tempting. But then I pictured having to go back into that ballroom, to plaster on a fake smile and pretend I hadn’t just been humiliated by Kyra and propositioned by Garrett. To stand there for another two hours while my world was quietly imploding…
I looked up at him, shaking my head. “Honestly, me, going back in there and schmoozing with those people, after… I can’t do it, Sean.” I took a shaky breath, making a decision. “Can we just leave? To hell with my ‘duties.’ I just want to get out of here.”
A slow, satisfied smile spread across his face. He looked like a man whose secret wish had just been granted. “Consider it done. Let’s blow this popsicle stand,” he said, his hand finding the small of my back to guide me toward the exit.
The moment we were in the taxi, he was on me like a predator claiming his prey. His mouth crashed against mine, tongue demanding entrance as his hand slid beneath the slit of my dress, fingers skating dangerously high on my inner thigh.
“Six days,” he growled against my lips, nipping at the bottom one hard enough to make me gasp. “Six fucking days without touching you. Without tasting you.”
His fingers brushed against the damp lace between my legs, and I had to bite back a moan. The taxi driver glanced in the rearview mirror, and Sean’s hand reluctantly retreated, though his eyes burned with a clear promise of retribution for the delay.
“You’re soaked,” he whispered, his voice rough with need. “Is that all for me, baby?”
“Of course,” I breathed, pressing my thighs together to alleviate the ache. “All for you.”
When we reached the hotel, Sean threw bills at the driver without counting them. In the elevator, he wasted no time, pressing me against the mirrored wall, his erection grinding against my core through our clothes. One hand pinned my wrists above my head while the other pushed the slit of my dress aside, exposing my lace-covered pussy to the mirrored walls.
“Look,” he commanded, turning my face toward our reflection. “Look how fucking beautiful you are when you’re desperate for my cock.”
I watched as his fingers pushed the lace aside, sliding through my slick folds before plunging two fingers deep inside me. My back arched off the mirror, a strangled cry escaping my lips.
“Sean,” I hissed, breaking the kiss to press my forehead against his. “If you keep that up, we’re not going to make it to the room.”
