A moth to a flame.
Emotions to hearts.
Themoonto thesun.
SEVENTEEN
ADELAIDE
There wereover five hundred people in the room and stress unfurled itself in my stomach, obscenely licking at the edges of my abdomen.
It trespassed through my tranquillity, causing an eruption of disease.
Despite it being my engagement, I stood near the doors—in case I needed to run away.
The only time I’d leave my private little sanctuary was after seeing Harry alone. A group of women surrounded him, giggling, brushing his arm, and looking distracted by whatever he said.
Christian spoke with a couple of business looking people, his presence demanded their attention. He stood tall, dominant, and adamant which forced the rest of the men to listen. Drinks were forgotten in their hands, they stared as he talked, despite Christian taking a sip of his drink every now and then. The scene looked quite close to a politician controlling the people of a country.
He had to stop looking good while being the devil’s spawn.
Maybe I should go to him, but this dress was long enough to trip over and being the idiot I was, I’d rip it in front of all these people. They must be thinking how odd I was—standing alone in the middle of my own party—while Christian talked to them.
I’d thought he reserved his smiles for special moments, except here he was—giving it out to everyone who approached him—pissing the heck out of me. Well, maybe I wasn’t standing next to him and playing the part of beingin love, but neither was he.
Distracted and utterly annoyed. I searched for the heavy ring to give me comfort only to remember Christian took it from me when we reached.
Note to self, don’t get used to it.
“Where’s your friend?” Osama’s dashing features interrupted my train of thought. He stood before me in a dark green suit with his hair tied back, looking somewhat of a classical musician. He fixed his loose tie—a shiny silver ring glanced in my direction. The elegant designs engraved into the ring looked royal. I’d never seen one like it before. He’d look much better if he chopped his hair off.
One side of my lip quirked. “She’s staying at home with a sick baby.”
“What if she gets sick too?” Osama commented, concern lathered on his forehead. My pinched brows and questionable look had him slathering a cool face. “I mean, is Yunus, okay?”
Pressing my lips together, amusement hummed in mythroat. Umaima and Osama had a thing going on between them. I saw it the first time they met.
“Where’s your man at?” He asked, changing the subject with a hoarse laugh.
When my gaze flickered towards Christian, he was already looking at me. Deep, molten eyes challenging mine to stay put. He took an elaborate sip of his champagne, leaving a languid shimmer of the liquid against his parted lips. And when his tongue darted out to lick them, I almost combusted from the memory of us in the limo, me panting, and him looking down at me with a downright ravenous expression.
I can smell you dripping from here.
I bet I’d find your pussy dripping.
“Adelaide?” Osama waved a hand in front of me.
Looking away from Christian, I fanned my face. “Is it just me or is it hot in here?”
“It’s not—Didsomething happen between you guys?”
“No,” I quickly added with an aggressive headshake. “Nothing.”
“Right. Totally believe you.” He knowingly smirked and was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. “If you need help when you’re talking to Harry...” He trailed off.
My heart warmed at his concern. “I’ll be okay. I have you watching me, right?” It was nice feeling cared for.
“Christian’s here for you too,” he added grimly, raising his brows as a reminder that my soon-to-be husband existed.
