“Watching you breathe makes me hard.” He pulls me up and holds me tight.
My eyes slide to the closed door behind him. “Do you think that has a lock?”
“No. Doesn’t look like it,” he says.
“Mmm. Too bad.” I graze the backs of my fingers along the thick girth of his shaft. “I could’ve sucked you off before we head out.”
He presses his lips together as though containing a groan. “You’re going to be the death of me.”
“Blame yourself.” I smile at him. “You make me feel safe and confident. I’ve never felt this secure with anyone before. I feel like you won’t judge me, no matter how outrageous my demands might be.” My cheeks are so hot I feel like my face will burst into flames.
His breathing roughens. “Jesus. Klein, baby, you can’t say stuff like that to a man when he can’t do anything about it.”
I press my body closer and rub him gently through the clothes. “Later. I’ll let you do anything you want with me.”
“Anything?” Desire glitters in his fathomless eyes. I can’t look away.
“Yes. It will satisfy you, and it’ll make me feel good. But most importantly, it will also teach me a lesson. That I’m worthy and beautiful. And that I shouldn’t doubt your judgment.”
Chapter Forty-Four
Josh
Klein’s fingers flex on my forearm as we walk inside the opera house. It’s a modern structure with bronze mirrored walls and chic contemporary chandeliers hanging from the cathedral ceiling. A thick burgundy carpet muffles our footsteps, and empty wine glasses and round coasters dot several tall tables.
I had the driver take the scenic route along the Pacific so that she could enjoy the gorgeous blue ocean and take her mind off what’s to come. I love the way her eyes sparkle, how she flushes with pleasure at the scenery and her sheer confidence after being pampered and fussed over. Lareina and Fiona were right to suggest that I treat Klein to a team of experts who can make any woman feel special and beautiful. Not that Klein ever needs anybody to make her shine. She’s like the moon in the sky. She already glows, just because she’s who she is.
Other than to repay Elizabeth’s favor, I harbor a selfish reason for bringing Klein here. I want to show her off to everyone. To announce that she’s my woman—and that they’d better treat her with respect.
Also, the events Elizabeth hosts have tight security. Assholes like my mom and her brothers won’t be able to enter to cause trouble.
Klein lets out a soft breath. I place a hand on the back of her neck and stroke the taut skin to soothe her.
“What’s wrong?”
“Just a little nervous. I’ve never been to anything like this before. Katt never took me to anything fancy.”
“Relax,” I say. “Nobody here bites. They prefer to munch on beef tartare canapés.”
She giggles, then eyes a tray on a waiter’s hand as he passes by. “They look delicious.”
“We’ll grab some later.”
I scan the audience, looking for someone kind to introduce her to. I spot Elizabeth chatting with Barron Sterling ahead of us. She’s dressed elegantly as always—in a magenta-and-white gown that hugs her lean figure. Barron’s gray hair glints under the chandelier. A bespoke tuxedo fits his frame well—he wouldn’t wear it otherwise. He’s built like a tank, with thick bones and still a decent amount of muscle on him, although he’s gotten softer recently. The man’s older than dirt, with great-grandchildren, and he probably just doesn’t give that much of a damn anymore.
“Let’s go over and say hello to those two,” I say to Klein.
She squints at Elizabeth and Barron. “Who are they?”
“Family friends,” I say, keeping things simple. “You’ll like them.”
She straightens her spine as though readying herself for battle. I slip a hand into my pocket and quietly raise the intensity of the vibrator. Gasping, she swivels her head in my direction. I give her a look.
“What was that about?” she whispers, her face reddening and her eyes glazing with pleasure.
“Relax. Or I’ll give you areasonto relax.”
Her face flames. “You wouldn’t…!”
