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“I think I’m learning that much.” I stood, and she gave me a quick squeeze, a fierce little side hug that warmed my heart. The last thing I’d expected was to be embraced by Callum’s family, but I was glad I was. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Now go get them, Cinderella.”
***
Callum
It gnawed at me.
That Friday morning at our “dictation session,” she’d run off to a lunch on campus with a fellow intern, or so she’d said. I knew there was a bit of distance between us ever since Seamus had showed up at my office. That rat bastard was also here in the crowd somewhere tonight for the ball. But even if Iris wanted to share my burdens, I had to shield her. She had enough stress in her life, and the last thing she needed was to worry about Seamus’s vindictive streak or to agonize over if someone noticed her at the ball tonight.
It killed me.
I’d have loved her on my arm, would have relished parading her around like the queen she was to all of Dublin high society. But how could I? Even with masks, I was too nervous about people prying into my plus one list. Those damn reporters were ruthless when they had to be. I didn’t want her reputation ruined before it even got started. I owed both her and Seth better too, owed them a way not to lose their already frayed relationship.
I had to lie to her about the charity function, had to obscure the fact it was a grand gala and ball.
So why did I feel like an utter piece of shit as I shook the hand of every acquaintance who either came up to me in the receiving line or schmoozed with me?
Because you’re a lying sack of piss, O’Brien. The girl could have handled it. You’re the scared one.
I was at that. Terrified that as powerful as I was, I couldn’t protect her from the paps and the scrutiny that came from dating someone as famous and wealthy as I was. I had promised to keep her safe, but I wasn’t completely sure I could back up my words.
And that burned.
The music was dying down. Soon, I’d be expected to go to the podium and give the yearly speech. That was a chore in and of itself. I always dedicated the cancer gala to Priscilla’s memory. If only we could have found more genetic treatments earlier, better techniques. Fifteen years ago, her form of breast cancer had killed her. Today, she’d have had a much stronger prognosis. God knew I’d thrown everything I’d had at a solution back then. One hadn’t existed. But now we were closer, and that drove me on.
As I started making my way toward the podium, I couldn’t help but notice how hushed the room had gotten. Granted, most people were probably waiting for me to speak, but a wave of gasps were working through the room too. Curious, I turned from the direction of the stage toward the grand staircase that all guests had to use to enter the ballroom.
I knew instantly who was there. Even if Symone wasn’t beside her in a plain domino mask and grinning madly, I’d have known. That riot of brown curls was tamed a bit tonight by being piled high on Iris’s head, but I knew my vixen by now. I knew her sexy but diminutive stature, the curve of her ample hips, and the very presence she had in a room.
But she was still a revelation, decked out as she was for the dance. The slinky, satin dress that hugged her curves in all the right ways was as enticing as anything I’d ever seen her in. The way it dipped over her breasts and teased more than a little of the olive-toned skin underneath made my cock hard. I didn’t know which store Symone had purchased it in, but there was no doubt she’d taken Iris shopping this evening. It was the mask, however, that truly made the look. I remembered it from years ago, from a dance I’d shared with Priscilla at a ball she’d thrown for our fifth anniversary.
It was as exquisite on Iris as it had been on Priscilla so long ago.
The silver mask was highlighted by blue paint around the eyes intermixed with silver sparkles. On the left side only, t
he mask swooped up wide, spreading out at the far-left corner into the towering back feathers of a silver and royal blue swan.
My queen was here after all.
Reluctantly, I walked to the podium and gave my speech as Symone and Iris walked down the stairs and blended with the crowd. I had a duty to follow before I could enjoy the woman who made my cock throb with need and my imagination fill with the dirtiest of fantasies.
“Thank you all for coming. I am happy to report that we’ve raised ten million dollars toward cancer research at Dublin’s biggest research hospital. It’s an unprecedented accomplishment for us. I am so grateful to have so many friends who want to help me and help this cause.” I paused and couldn’t help myself from looking up. “I know that Priscilla is looking down on this with that same megawatt smile she always shared with everyone. I…thank you.” I coughed to cover how much this night always got to me.
Offering the crowd my best, blinding grin, I strode down the steps and walked to the center of the ballroom. Symone and Iris were talking quietly by the open bar. I sidled up next to them and bowed low to my vixen.
“Well, luv,” I emphasized my point by taking Iris’s left hand in mine and kissing the back of it. “You look absolutely ravishing tonight.”
“Thanks to certain redheaded devils I could name,” Iris chirped, sharing a laugh with Symone.
Huh, maybe I have two dangerous women in my life now. That might lead to trouble…
My daughter nodded. “I just helped play the fairy godmother role. Now, you treat her right and no more of this leaving details out shite, Dad.”
I whistled and faked a salute for her. “Ma’am, yes ma’am.”
“Good, now you two go light up the room. You were meant to,” Symone said, heading out into the crowd to socialize with those she knew from the cancer foundation’s board. She loved this charity even more than I did, after all.
