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We were kissing each other demandingly, fiercely. Shane put his hand on my thigh, sliding it up underneath the fabric of my dress, kneading it, and a sigh of pleasure escaped my lips, and Shane pulled away, breaking our fervent kiss. He looked at me. His eyes were black, filled with sinful lust, his breath ragged. He slid his other hand up my neck, stopping at my jawbone, tilting my head back, and our eyes locked again. I was breathing heavily, squeezing my hands on the railing behind me.
“Spread your legs and don’t make a sound,” he said, his tone low and demanding.
His commanding tone was such a turn-on, his touch set my body on fire. At the same time, my heart was pumping heavily and adrenaline was flowing through my system. “Shane, there are people everywhere. And reporters. What if someone catches us?” I whispered, my brain turning into mush from his mere touch.
“I don’t care,” he hissed, his hand roaming up, higher and higher. “I could be front-page news tomorrow and I wouldn’t give a damn,” he whispered into my ear, his voice low and husky, before he brushed his lips against the sensitive skin of my neck, causing goose bumps in their wake. “Now, I gave you an order. Spread your legs.”
I did as he said, and he moved his hand higher, reaching the soaked fabric of my panties, stroking it with his fingers, and my muscles tensed. I looked into his black eyes, barely containing the moans desperately wanting to escape my lips as he pushed my panties to the side, sliding two fingers inside me. My fists tightened around the cold railing as he kept fingering me with a hungry gaze that never left my eyes. I wasn’t sure if it was the rush of adrenaline that we were doing something so wicked in a public place or his authoritative, dominant tone, but I was burning. I closed my eyes, feeling an intense wave of pleasure rushing through my body.
Shane growled, sliding his thumb between my slightly parted lips. “Don’t close your eyes. I want you to look at me when you come.”
I followed his order with no objections. I found this dark, dominant side of him extremely attractive. I opened my eyes to meet his hungry gaze, devouring the sight of me coming undone because of him. I bit his thumb that he drew between my teeth, fighting to contain the sounds of pleasure that whipped through my body as I orgasmed.
“Good girl.” He smirked, satisfied, before slowly pulling his fingers out. He licked his fingers off, growling, and I watched him, panting. He looked around and spotted a table a few steps from us. He walked over there to grab a napkin to wipe his hand. He fixed his tuxedo and approached me before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “We have to go back to the party. My father will give his speech in a few. We need to be there,” he whispered as if nothing had happened and took my hand as we went inside.
“Callan?” I barely vocalized his name, rooted to the spot.
How long has he been here?
Did he see us?
Did he watch us?
My heart was pounding wildly, and I attempted to swallow around the dryness in my throat. I felt dizzy at the thought that he’d been there the whole time, watching us.
“Callan?” Shane frowned, slightly abashed. “What are you doing here? I ordered you to wait downstairs.”
“I did.” Callan cleared his throat, his face unreadable. “I just got here. Your father sent for you.”
I wanted to believe that he just got there, but there was something ominous in his gaze that told me it was a lie. I turned my head to the side, avoiding his gaze, although I was sure my cheeks flushed red.
“We’re coming,” Shane said, his tone flat, and Callan nodded before stepping aside to let us pass before he followed us, and I could feel his burning gaze on my back.
~••~
“Thank you.” Karl’s low voice, followed by a wave of clapping, snapped me out of my thoughts.
I took a deep breath, searching across the crowd of people. I didn’t catch a single word out of Karl’s speech. I was too dizzy after the wicked moment I had with Shane and even worse after Callan’s unnerving gaze. I shook my head, waking up from the haze. I stood on the stage a few inches above the floor of the banquet room, next to Shane, between Anders and Aaliyah and Karl and Elena. All eyes were on us. I knew I had to grin and bear it. Shane insisted on me joining them, and although I thought it was a little out of place, I couldn’t say no to that man. The clapping eventually faded away, and Shane stepped up, clearing his throat.
“I’d like to take this opportunity to announce something,” he said loud and clear, and the room fell silent. I frowned, watching him, a little confused. I didn’t expect he’d be making a speech too. “There’s a woman by my side tonight. A special woman.” He smiled as he turned to look at me. “It’s not only because she’s incredibly stunning, and damn, is she.” He peeked at the guests, and they chuckled. “But because she doesn’t pretend. She doesn’t play any games. She’s unapologetically herself,” he stated, the last part slightly softer as if it was meant only for me. As if he didn’t care about other people in the room, only me. His eyes locked with mine as he continued. “I love that woman. With all her worn edges, fractures, scars.”
My heart skipped a beat, and my breath became heavy and slow. I looked at Shane with my eyes growing wide. He reached his hand to me, and I took it as if in a trance. I took a step toward him, everyone watching us with anticipation.
“Melanie, you’re a warrior. I know it.” Shane’s tone was low. “You’re the strongest woman I’ve ever known. You don’t need a man to bring the world to its knees. But I don’t want you to fight the battles alone anymore. In this crazy, fucked-up world, I’m willing to be there for you for the rest of my life.”
“Shane…” I hesitated, my lips parted in awe.
Shane reached into his pocket, a mysterious smirk on his face. He opened the black velvet box, and a huge diamond ring glittered before my eyes. I looked Shane in the eyes, completely taken aback, before he dropped down on one knee. “Melanie Rose Atwood, will you marry me?”
