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“Yes.”
Emery shoots him a pointed stare. “It’s no big deal. You look beautiful.”
While I went for sex appeal in an obvious way, Emery went for subtle sexy. Her cream dress is floor-length and teases a little cleavage. The way the fabric clings to all the right places makes it impossible to look away. Her doe eyes and minimal makeup make her look youthful, but not in an immature way. Her simple makeup, complimented by her red lips, is the perfect balance of sexy and beautiful.
“Have you seen yourself? You look stunning!” I compliment back.
Xavier wraps his arms around his wife and kisses the top of her hair. The action makes me feel a pinch of unjustified envy. When she looks up at him with a smile, the feeling intensifies.
Tonight, he is in a full black tuxedo and bowtie. With her in his arms, they look like the perfect couple. Emery’s words about Xavier using her as a showpiece come rushing back, and I wonder if there was some truth in it, especially after our ice-skating outing.
I spend the ride to the event staring out my window in the backseat. There is a soft melody filling the silence.
Xavier hands his keys to the valet before intertwining his fingers with his wife and making his grand entrance. I stay back for a few moments, letting the man of the hour and his wife have their moment.
I stand on the steps, looking up at the grand exterior of the venue. I can only imagine how extravagant tonight will be. Emery probably spent more money than I’ll ever see to celebrate the tenth anniversary of her husband’s company.
“Did your invite get rescinded after they realised a stripper is distasteful?” the deep voice says as he emerges from behind me.
I peer at Huxley from the corner of my eye. As ever, he looks dashing in his suit. “Did you stalk me so we could wear the same colour?”
He looks down at my outfit and chuckles. “I have better things to be doing.”
Even though most of our conversations involve him acting like a prick, I find myself smiling around him. “You took the time to find out I was a dancer,” I point out.
He scoffs. “Is that what we’re calling strippers now?”
“I’m sure you have plenty of experience with them. You tell me.”
He stands behind me and places his hands on my hips. The breeze rewards me with a waft of his cologne. I don’t think anyone smells as incredible as Huxley. “Women like you are dangerous. I know better than to lay in the snake’s den.”
I turn my head slightly so my lips are at his jaw. “Scared to get bitten?” I whisper back.
His grip on my hips tightens, but I don’t wince. “Be careful, sweetheart. You just might tempt me enough.”
“Don’t worry,” I turn around so we face one another. “If you get bitten, I’llsuckthe poison out.”
He stares at me for a few seconds with lust radiating from him. He clears his throat and stands taller. “Let’s go.” He walks a few steps ahead of me to the main hall.
As expected, the décor is excessive. The floral arrangements, fancy table setting and candles all screamEmery Rivers.The only pops of colour are the flowers; otherwise, everything is neutrally coloured.
I find my name allocated to table one and weave through the crowd to get there. I sigh a breath of relief when I see Francesca sipping on her wine, looking bored out of her mind.
“Hey,” I smile.
Her eyes light up at the sight of me. “Thank fuck! I was already trying to find an excuse to leave.”
I laugh with her. “I’m glad you’re here too.”
“Is my presence not enough?” Huxley says as he slides into the seat next to mine.
“Back to stalking me, sunshine?”
“Wouldn’t that make your dreams come true?”
I cross one leg over the other, exposing the skin on the one closer to him. He doesn’t hide eyeing up my tan skin and grins at me. His gaze flickers to Francesca, who is watching us with wide eyes. “Good evening, Francesca.”
“Ray,” she greets with a smile. She raises her eyebrow at me as if to askwhat the hell?
