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“Enough,” he said. “I’m not going to hurt you. Nor am I going to kill you. I’m not interested in doing any of that. Have a little faith in me.” He kissed her lips.
He took a seat at the counter just as the oven beeped to let her know it had been warmed to the perfect temperature. She didn’t argue with the oven. Taking the lasagna out, she allowed it to sit and rest while she finished the rest of the salad.
It had already been three weeks, and she had started to notice a difference within her feeling for Gabe.
He was older, wiser, full of charm. He seemed to know what she was thinking even before she did. His confidence and power exhilarated her. There was nothing she wanted more than to be with him, and that was a scary thought.
****
Dinner parties, as far as he was concerned, were a useless affair. The only benefit to them was for him to build fear into people far and wide.
As Gabe stood with Laura at his side, he felt like a fucking king. This was the first time he’d taken a date, and his woman looked good enough to eat.
The dress he’d picked had a plunging neckline. Her tits were secured by some kind of tape. There was nothing to the back until it got to the base, curving low to give a hint at what was hidden. The skirt of the dress had long slits up each side, showing off her thighs as she walked, but the moment she stood still, they were hidden. All her curves were on full display. Her long brown hair had been curled. Barely any makeup, and heels that made her small frame come to his chest.
She stood out in the crowd. Women were curious about her. Men wanted her.
He loved having the beauty they all craved.
All his.
Not once did he let her hand go. She gripped his arm tightly.
“I hate this,” she said, keeping a smile to her lips.
“You can hate it all you want. You’re owning this.” He leaned in close, brushing his lips across her ear. The press went wild. They were more than happy to get a shot of him. This was the first time he’d ever played up to the camera. Not that it was much of a play.
“So, deadly crime boss by night. Legit, sleazy business owner by day?” she asked.
“Only you know.”
“How can they be wanting to take your picture if they know all about you?”
He’d grown tired of the press. Taking her hand, he led her into the main event. Couples were engaged, chatting. Dancers stood on podiums, working their bodies to the music. Waiters and waitresses circled the room, offering champagne. He took a glass, handing it to her, and then another for himself.
“Don’t drink too much. Keep your wits about you. If, for whatever reason, we get separated, always make your excuses politely and leave.”
“Do not even think of leaving me with these people, Gabe.”
He chuckled. “I think you’d be pleasantly surprised.”
With her grip still on his, and holding their glass of champagne, they circled the floor. He introduced her as his, and then moved the conversation toward business. A couple of the wives attempted to pull Laura away, but she refused, staying right by his side.
He loved how she clung to him.
The way men followed her around. She was a sight to behold. Some of the women weren’t impressed. Many tried to garner his attention. One woman, an heiress to a beauty empire, came toward him, showing off her body. Turning this way and that. Touching him.
“Darling, it has been too long since we last saw you.” She tried to kiss him, but he avoided the touch.
“Business.”
“Well, my father is having the most lavish gathering this weekend. You need to come. Just you. No plus-ones.” She touched his jacket. “This is such a wonderful jacket. You need a woman’s touch.”
Laura cleared her throat, and as the woman went to touch him again, his woman moved in front.
“Honey, show me where the bathroom is, please,” she said. She took his hand, putting her empty glass in the heiress’s hands as she all but dragged him across the dance floor.
He had no problems watching her walk.
Once they were out of earshot, he found the bathroom and pushed her inside.
Laura let go of his hand and shoved him in the chest. “What the hell was that?” she asked.
“What was what?”
“That. Allowing her to touch you. Is that why you brought me here? To show me how many women can have you? Who can touch you without any problem?” She folded her arms.
“You sound jealous, Laura.”
“Oh, please.” She wrinkled her nose. “I want to go home.”
He put his hand out, stopping her. He reached down, flicking the lock into place.
