Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 418(@200wpm)___ 334(@250wpm)___ 279(@300wpm)
The elevator opened, and Garrett placed my hand in the crook of his arm as we strode into a small area before two more men with small microphone headpieces stepped forward and reached for the double doors in front of us.
Garrett gave one nod, and the men stepped back as they each took a handle. The doors opened, and we stepped into a ballroom filled with men in tuxedos and women in fabulous dresses and draped in jewels while servers walked among them, carrying trays with crystal champagne flutes as well as hors d’oeuvres. A live jazz band was on a far stage.
Unintentionally, my hand tightened its hold on Garrett’s arm. He glanced down at me, and I turned to meet his gaze. I was out of my element. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t so sure I could do this. I loved adventures, but somehow, Garrett had turned this into more for me. I didn’t want to disappoint him. The pressure not to do so in an environment like this was terrifying.
“You’re the most beautiful woman in this room, Fawn,” he said to me, not even attempting to whisper it in case someone else heard him. “And you’re mine. Relax.”
I wasn’t his. I was my own person. I didn’t correct him though because, right now, I felt like a small fish in a tank of sharks. For this moment, I was going to be his. It was the only way I could survive this. I simply nodded.
He led us into the extravagantly decorated room. People watched us as we approached, and I could see the hopeful looks in their eyes, as if they wanted to be the ones that Garrett chose to speak to first or at all. Awe, respect, fear were all clearly directed at Garrett from the men in the room. The women all held a level of desire and lust as they looked his way. Their gazes flitted over me briefly, as if measuring me up as competition before swinging back to him. Lashes batted flirtatiously. Even from the women with rocks on their hands that clearly stated they were married.
Garrett made his choice as we came up to a group of three men and one woman. I checked to see the woman was indeed married before smiling at her and receiving a smile that did not meet her eyes.
“Garrett.” The heavier, almost-bald man beamed. As if he wanted to make sure the rest of the guests didn’t miss who Garrett had spoken to first.
“Howell,” he replied with a slight nod, and then he turned his focus to me. “Fawn, this is Howell Fernmore. He’s a real estate developer.”
He then flicked his eyes toward the second man, who was younger than Howell and less bulky with brown hair and friendly green eyes. “Mack Barley, an investment banker I do business with.”
Then, his gaze swung to the last man, a middle-aged man who was clearly trying to hold on to his youth. He was attractive in a trying-too-hard way. The woman beside him was younger than me, but not by much. Her dark red hair was pulled up in a twist while tendrils of loose curls framed her face. She didn’t take her eyes off Garrett, and I wondered if her husband noticed the way she was looking at another man. The invitation in her gaze was blatantly obvious.
“Darce Morgan is the CEO of a mobile app development company and last year’s largest contributor to our fundraiser here. Then, of course, his lovely wife, Maya,” Garrett finished, barely glancing her way. He didn’t give them the same introduction as to who I was. I didn’t think it was an insult—at least not by the way he held me so closely to his side.
“It’s nice to meet you all,” I replied, smiling at each one.
“The pleasure is ours,” Mack Barley replied.
The others agreed, except Maya, who smiled tightly at me.
I listened to them talk business and took comfort in Garrett’s hand now resting on my hip. He took a champagne flute from a server and handed it to me, then pressed a kiss to my temple before continuing his conversation. I sipped it slowly as he finished talking to the men, then moved us away from them.
The next group was immediate. Almost as if they’d positioned themselves there so that Garrett had to see them. It went on like this long enough for me to have two drinks and some deliciousness—I had no idea what it was, but it had been creamy and melted in my mouth. I’d caught Garrett watching me eat it and ignoring the man talking to him. My face had heated, and I’d bitten back a smile as I swallowed.
When the crowd began to move toward the back opening, Garrett leaned down to me. “It’s time for the meal. After, we will make our exit.”