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“I know you don’t believe me, Delilah,” he says as he pulls away, straightening my panties and helping me stand. He grabs my pants before helping me back into them, gently zipping and buttoning them as he drops little kisses along my brow. “But Iamhere for you. And I’m going to prove to you that I’m worth it.”
Emotion clogs my throat and I glance in the direction of my coat in the corner, the ruined photograph underneath it reminds me that I have more to lose than just my pride. I heave a breath, but he shakes his head, cutting me off as he says, “We host a Christmas Eve fundraiser for the children’s hospital every year in my dad’s memory. Come as my date?”
The ‘no’ is on the tip of my tongue and I think Finn can sense that because he leans in and kisses me until I say yes.
Chapter5
Finn
We’re barely two feet in the door, and I already know I’ve made a hell of a mistake. Delilah looks stunning in a floor length, black gown. Where she scrounged it up on such short notice, I don’t know, but the open back and deep v at the front pulls more than one head in her direction as we cross the ballroom.
If she’s nervous, she doesn’t show it. My hometown beauty has all the grace of any of the high society women here, and it doesn’t escape my notice that eyes, both male and female, track each step we take through the room. They’re going to try to eat her alive here.
I see my younger brother Taylor standing across the room, and our eyes meet. He quirks his head toward Delilah, who has moved her arm around my waist, pulling me against her until we’re plastered together. Glancing down, I see a secret smirk pulling her lips up slightly at the corner and I turn to see some flashy woman glaring at her back.
Oh, they might think they’ll eat her alive, but my Delilah bites back.
“What are you doing?” I ask as we start our rounds through the ballroom.
She smiles politely to a benefactor who stops to talk about how beautiful the trees are around the room. I remind the man that he can bid appropriately to support the children’s hospital. His eyes rake down Delilah’s frame and he smiles lasciviously until I pull her away.
“The same thing as you,” she replies easily as we sidestep a stalled couple near the center of the ballroom.
“Which is?”
“Ensuring that those women staring at you like a piece of meat understand that you’re here withmetonight. You dragged me here kicking and screaming, you’re not abandoning me for a closet tryst with a socialite.”
I huff out a surprised laugh, dragging her to a stop to stare down at her. A small smile quirks her lips up at the corners and I shake my head at her. Delilah Cooper, making a joke? I must have died and gone to fucking heaven.
Getting her here took every ounce of my stubborn willpower. Convincing her that I’m worth the pain in the ass I seem to be to her is the only thing on my mind. Somehow, showing her that Ambiance wasn’t personal—that it really was just business and that I commit to the things that matter—is all I want out of this night.
Leaning down, I kiss her quickly before pulling back just far enough to whisper, “You’re adorable, Cooper.” I pull away from her, smiling at the slightly dazed look on her face. She clears her throat, and I very chivalrously don’t mention the blush staining the apples of her cheeks.
“And you’re at my mercy, Vittatoe,” she says with a breathless laugh that slowly trails off as an older woman steps into our path, a simpering smile on her face.
“Mrs. Van Horn,” I say, nodding my head before stepping away from Delilah with one last squeeze of her hip. I take the woman’s proffered hand, dropping a kiss on the back of it before spinning back toward my date with an easy smile. “Delilah, this is one of my grandmother’s dearest friends, Edith Van Horn. Mrs. Van Horn, this is Delilah Cooper, my date for the evening.”
“I’m afraid I don’t recognize the name,” Mrs. Van Horn says. I fight the grimace that wants to pull over my face as she stares down her nose at Delilah.Here we go…
The blonde at my side offers a polite, unaffected smile, brushing her long hair over her shoulder as she extends her hand politely. Mrs. Van Horn takes it in a weak grip before dropping it. Fire burns in Delilah’s eyes and my stomach tightens as her mouth falls open to respond.
I’m not afraid of what she might say–she’s welcome to stand up for herself–but I know the damage someone like Edith Van Horn can do when she feels slighted. Her opinion doesn’t matter,not really,but I’d hate for her to get to my grandmother before I have the chance to introduce Delilah to my family properly.
As my date.
As my girlfriend.
As my future wife if I’m fucking lucky enough.
“That’s because she doesn’t belong here, Mrs. Van Horn.”
Delilah whirls, eyes wide and shoulders tense, and I take a long, deep breath.Can nothing go my way tonight?My jaw clenches as I turn, but I know the face of the viper waiting at my back. Jacqueline Grant. Poised. Gorgeous. Cruel.
“Jacqueline, that’s incredibly unnecessary,” I say to my ex, reaching my hand out to wrap around Delilah’s wrist, holding her in place as Jacqueline smirks down her perfect nose at her. Delilah tries to shake my grip away, but I hold onto her steadfastly, unwilling to let her go. Not like this. Not because of these people.
Jacqueline turns her sneer on me, hazel eyes narrowing as she props her hands on her hips. I’m vaguely aware of Mrs. Van Horn standing behind us and the small crowd circling around us, putting on appearances by chatting in small groups, as to not appear to be listening to the awkward, tense exchange.
Polite society, my ass.
