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“Nervous?” What do you think? Why wouldn’t I be when he took my hand and brought it to his lips before asking that question? I had to swallow the sudden frog in my throat before I could answer.
“Of course not. I’ve been to one of these things before.” There, that wasn’t so bad. There was only a slight tremble in my voice, but at least I didn’t trip all over my tongue.
He kept my hand beneath his as he placed it on his thigh and I think I forgot to breathe. There as so much heat coming off of him it was a wonder I didn’t singe. I was acutely aware of everything about him. From the way that same thigh touched mine. The way he sat so close I could count the hairs on his nape. I bet if I looked hard enough I would see the pulse beating in his neck. His nearness was doing strange things to my equilibrium and I was in danger of falling under his spell until his voice broke the silence and shook me out of my trance.
“If you become at all uncomfortable tonight you’ll let me know. Don’t stray from my side and you should be fine.” I hadn’t given any thought to running into anyone I knew tonight until he brought it up. I’d all but forgotten that the secret was out and my family’s dirty laundry was blowing in the wind for all and sundry to pick over.
I forced myself not to think about it, not to give in to the rising panic that his words invoked. “I tell you that now so that you will be prepared. I don’t expect anyone there to be so crass as to bring it up to you, but if they do, I’ll handle it.” Maybe he knew something I didn’t. But he was right. I should’ve prepared myself for the inevitable. It was only a matter of time before the questions were asked, and the whispers started.
JASON
Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up, shouldn’t have reminded her. She’d deflated a little bit at my words. But I didn’t want her to be sideswiped by some careless asshole there tonight. I knew much of the crowd there were not the sort she hung out with, but they were the parents of some of those people, and the place was so clannish and close knit that everyone knew everyone in some way or another.
I didn’t plan on letting her out of my sight anyway, but shit always happens when you least expect it. This way she’d be on her guard. I know I was. I hadn’t given much thought to wagging tongues when I cornered her into accepting my proposal. I didn’t much care what anyone thought about the two of us being seen together. I was pretty sure what conclusions might be drawn, but again, I didn’t give much of a fuck about that. That was all good and well for myself, but she might see things a little different.
There was already a line of cars when we drove up. I waited for the driver to let us out before taking her hand when she reached my side. There were cameras and bystanders as was wont to be at these things. I squeezed her hand when she lowered her head as the first light flashed in our faces while we made our way to the entrance.
“Hold your head up Emily, show them you have nothing to fear.” There were questions thrown at us and I even heard the name of my last bedmate thrown at my back, but kept going. She didn’t say a word and I wondered if she’d even heard the question. It was enough that I had. Disrespectful. I shifted my gaze without turning my head and made note of the asshole who’d asked. By tomorrow he’ll be covering alleys in downtown L.A.
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.
