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As I wait for my drink, I look around the large ballroom. Most people are taking their seats and it’s only a matter of time before I’ll have to give my speech.
Shit. I should’ve started drinking back in the limo.
“Here you are, sir,” the bartender says. “Enjoy.”
I take the drink from her hand without even meeting her eyes. Walking through the crowd, I climb onto the dais and take my seat just left of center.
Only a matter of time now.
The ceremony starts a few minutes later. I drain my drink and toss the glass aside, wishing that I’d thought to order three at the same time. The speech I’m giving is the same one I’ve given for the past few years – hell, I could probably do it in my sleep.
“Welcome to the Excellence Awards!” the MC booms loudly. The room bursts into applause as he launches into a routine of tired old jokes. I shift uncomfortably and stare out at the crowd. It’s the same mix of people every time: wealthy older men like myself, most with younger dates who are likely high-dollar escorts. Then there’s a smattering of young men who work in technology…and who have no idea how to dress. You can always tell if a man works in IT when he shows up to an awards ceremony in a wrinkled polo shirt. And then there are the hopefuls – usually young girls with fake tits and fake tans, all glammed up in knockoff designer gowns and filled with hopes of snagging a rich boyfriend.
“I now present Dane Andersen, founder and CEO of Lockdown!”
The crowd goes wild and I blink as I stand up and face thousands of flashing cameras.
Shit, maybe that whiskey went to my head a little too fast.
“Good evening,” I say into the microphone. “I’m so incredibly honored to receive this award for the fourth year in a row.”
The audience cheers and hoots and claps and I stare at them with a fake smile frozen on my face. Come on, come on. The sooner you let me finish my speech, the sooner we can all get out of here, I think to myself.
When the applause dies down, I clear my throat.
“As I was saying, I want to thank each and every one of you,” I continue smoothly. “This award is the beginning of many great things. As you know, riding our current wave of success, my firm plans to open two additional international offices – one in Dubai and one in Tokyo. I’ve been looking forward to this day for a long time. Konichiwa and salaam alaykom!”
The crowd cheers again like they’re all personally invested in my success abroad. The spotlight swerves wildly over the room and for the second time, I feel almost a little too drunk.
And that’s when I see her.
My Rubenesque goddess, standing on the other side of the room. Her chestnut hair is
piled high on top of her head and she’s wearing a black silk dress that hugs every curve of her body. We lock eyes and an animalistic bolt of lust tears through my body.
Shit. I need her so fucking bad, and it doesn’t even matter that I’m currently center stage in the spotlight.
“Mr. Andersen?”
Startled, I turn to the MC and realize that I’m still holding the microphone. My speech isn’t finished yet, but it’s okay. Nobody really wants me to blather on for ten or fifteen minutes as their dinners grow cold. So I keep it simple. Smiling out at the audience, I nod graciously.
“Thank you all,” I say. “And welcome to the world of premier security solutions!” The audience cheers once again, raising their glasses in a toast. I smile and wave before quickly walking off stage and making my way to the back of the ballroom. Trying to look normal, I look around, trying to spot Allie. But now that I’m at the same height as everyone else, I can’t see her. Panic swells in my chest even as a frozen smile remains on my face.
But fortunately, I finally catch a glimpse of her to the left. She’s still here, although somehow, she’s lost track of me. The woman sips nervously at a flute of champagne as a gaggle of IT men walk by, all staring at her luscious form. Knowing that other men are ogling my beautiful creature fills me with homicidal rage.
“Allie,” I growl in a low voice as I approach her. God, she’s so lovely. Even in black silk, she looks fresh and gorgeous compared to the dried-up trophy wives and escorts that litter the room.
“You’re here,” I growl. “What are you doing here?”
Allie blushes. She licks her lips and gives a nervous toss of her head.
“I...”
“Come with me,” I say. Reaching for her hand, I pull her back stage. We don’t speak as I stride into the darkness with Allie in tow. The only sound is the clacking of her heels against the marble floor.
“Dane, I have to tell you something,” Allie says breathlessly. Her tits are heaving under that black silk dress and my cock throbs between my legs at the sight of them. I pull her close, crushing her body to mine and kissing her passionately.
Allie whimpers as I slip my tongue into her mouth and bite at her plump lower lip.
