AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No kidding.”
Sam glanced over Damien’s shoulder, and his eyes became saucers. His mouth fell open. Somehow, Damien was sure of what his friend was going to say even before he said it.
“Holy shit, maybe I’ll fight you for her. Did I say beautiful? Jesus, she’s gorgeous.”
Damien slowly turned, watching as Viv emerged from another side of the ballroom, near an area set up as a dance floor. The overhead lights were revolving in a kaleidoscope of different colors, and she stepped into a pool of gold that made her long, flowing hair luminescent. Like a molten river falling down her back in thick, shiny waves. His breath caught in his throat, and his heart skipped a beat just at the sight of her. Smiling, young, beautiful. Mine.
Yes. His. He was shocked at the surge of possessiveness that swelled through him, having never felt so lost under the spell of any woman. But Viv had him by the gut—or the heart or the cock, he honestly wasn’t sure which. Nor did he really care.
He wanted her. Just her. For as long as he could have her.
Right now, if he was asked, he’d have to say that forever couldn’t possibly be long enough.
She said a word to the leader of a string quartet strumming softly in the corner, and then glanced across the room, catching his eye. The light above her segued into a soft blue that caught the gleaming, glittery strands of material sewn into her royal blue gown. The dress was long and form-fitting, strapless, with a heart-shaped neckline, and a full bottom that flared out below the knee. He didn’t know the name of the style, but recognized the Jessica Rabbit look immediately, and smiled at how perfectly the hourglass design suited her figure.
He was not the only man in the room under her spell. Every other guy there, alone or in a group, had his eyes glued to the beautiful blonde.
Possessiveness put Damien’s feet into motion. He strode across the room toward her, watching the way her eyes sparkled and her lips curved up in a welcoming smile.
Before he’d even gotten to her, he’d reached into his pocket to withdraw his special present. And when he stood in front of her, he immediately said, “Close your eyes.”
“What?” She glanced around and laughed nervously. “Uh, why?”
“Just do it,” he whispered.
She licked her lips, a flush rising into her cheeks, and then nodded. Her eyes drifted closed, those thick, dark lashes resting on her high cheekbones. Without a word, Damien lifted the necklace and draped it around her neck, fastening it and letting the long strand of diamonds and sapphires fall into a V right above that perfect cleavage. She gasped at the touch of cold metal on her skin, and immediately opened her eyes, trying to peer past his hands to what he’d put on her.
“Damien, I can’t...”
“Shut up.”
To his surprise, she did. Maybe because she’d spun around to the mirrored wall behind them and had glimpsed how perfectly the necklace complemented the dress.
“It’s beautiful. I’m not sure what to say.”
“Say, ‘I’m not going to try to give this back later tonight, Damien.’”
She nibbled her lip, and he knew she’d already thought of doing exactly that. Considering for a moment, she finally murmured, “Thank you. I love it.”
“I’m glad.”
Twining her fingers in his, he led her away from the dance floor, toward the bar. He recognized a few faces and nodded greetings, but hoped his impersonal, generic smile kept anyone from getting too close.
The ballroom began to fill. The Vanguard was a new team. To his gratification, however, the season ticket drive had been successful. There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm in the gathering, and he found himself caught up in it, even if he was trying to be incognito tonight.
“Damien, isn’t it?” a voice asked.
Turning, he spied Viv’s friend’s fiancé, whom he’d met a few weeks ago at the Mexican place. “Yes. Lex, right?”
The other man put out his hand. “Yep.”
“Is Amelia with you?”
The other man pointed toward Viv and Amelia, who were hugging hello.
“Are you here in an official capacity?” Damien asked, only slightly concerned. He had no worries about Lex doing anything to hurt Viv, or put another embarrassing spotlight on her. But if the press was going to be a presence here, he’d have to make a point of sticking close to her.
“Nah. I’m a hockey fan. I bought season tickets as soon as they went on sale.”
“Glad to hear it.”
Lex glanced toward Amelia and Viv. “It’ll be okay,” the man murmured. “What happened is yesterday’s news.”
“I hope so,” Damien replied.
