“Like what you see?” she teases as the light bounces off her sequined gown, making her appear goddess-like.
“Too much,” I say honestly. “Let’s just turn the car around. We’ll have dinner for two. I’ll happily make a tasting menu out of you.”
Turning to face me, she smiles softly, reverently. “Raf, we both know your family’s legacy rests with you, and yes your dad has his faults, but I can’t help but think he’s doing this because he wants to pave the way to make people see you as his worthy successor,” she says. After all she’s endured, how does this woman have a heart so large? So forgiving? My tonguefeels too big for my throat, just like the swell of emotions feels too enormous to be contained in my body. I thread my fingers through hers in lieu of words because there’s only three that I want to say, but I’m not deserving of the privilege just yet.
“Maybe it wasn’t your choice, but you’re made to be in that room. I know you prefer to succeed quietly, but I couldn’t be more proud of being the one on your arm when you step into your power.”
I pick her hand up and place a kiss on top of it.
“No, angel. I’m the lucky one.” It’s just six words, plain and simple, because often the truth doesn’t need embellishing.
Her eyes glaze over, and I can see she’s debating how to respond, but before she can, the car comes to a stop, and Chiara’s door is pulled open by a parking attendant.
“Good evening, Miss,” he says, holding his hand out to help her while staring at her ample cleavage a little too long. I glare at him, wishing in this moment I had some sort of X-Men superpower that could put a stop to him touching what’s mine. It’s futile, so I do the next best thing and rush to push out my side of the car, rounding Chiara’s side before she’s fully stepped out.
“I’ve got her,” I say, batting the attendant’s hand out of the way and replacing it with my own.
“Raf, you’re going to burn a hole in the side of that poor boy’s head,” Chiara scolds with a laugh.
“Serves him right.”
“He’s just doing his job, baby.”
“Well he needs to learn the rules.”
She raises her eyebrows at me in question.
“I licked it, so it’s mine.”
“Oh my God. You’re crazy.”
“Yes. Apparently when it comes to you, I am indeed not of sound mind,” I say, tucking her hand into the crook of my armand bending my mouth to her ear. “Now, let’s get this over with so we can get to the good bit where I take you home, strip you bare, then take my time fucking every one of your holes and driving my cock between your luscious tits that the guy who wasjust doing his jobhad his fucking eyes all over.”
She gasps, and her skin flushes crimson. Satisfied she knows who’s boss, I straighten, walking us towards the entrance smug as fuck.
Champagne in hand, we join the throngs of guests, and I feel Chiara’s grip tighten around my bicep.
“Is this too much?” I ask, worried after what happened today.
“No, no. It’s fine. I just don’t want to lose you.”
“A wolf always protects its pack,” I say, smiling down at her. “You look fucking ravishing.”
“Like a snack for a wolf?” she jokes.
“Like I want to rip out the eyes of every other person in this room just because they get to look at you too.”
“Well, it might become a blood bath in here then, because I feel the very same way about you in this tux,” she admires, running a hand down my lapel.
Even though we’re in a room full of people, it feels like we’re in our own little bubble. That is until I hear a familiar voice purr at my back.
“Hello, Raf. I thought that was you.”
I tense, and Chiara looks up at me, confused for only a moment before recognition dawns.
I turn us slowly towards the voice that grates on me the same way nails down a chalkboard do. White-hot anger for the woman before me rises up, and I feel like a cannon ready to fire.
“In the flesh,” I state, not bothering with a greeting back.
