AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I put my hand into his. "Yes."
He lifted my hand, studying the ring as it glittered under the lights. The diamond was obscenely large. It was still amazing to me that he had wanted to spend so much money, because he wanted to give me a parting gift that I wouldn't forget.
"Before you change your mind," he said, giving me a smile that was so charming that my stomach dipped. He led me up onto the dais beside the DJ, and the music slowly faded out. The lights felt bright here, and the room went quiet with respect for Aiden as everyone faced us.
"I'm thrilled to announce my engagement to Selena," he said. "If you've had the pleasure of meeting her, and I think you all have, you know she's as strong and sophisticated as she is beautiful."
I smiled self-consciously. For the audience, since I wasn't often self-conscious at all. I knew that was all I had to do, since no one here expected me to speak.
Aiden's arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer to him. "I'm a lucky man," he continued, looking down at me with a possessive glint in his eyes. "And I plan to make her my wife, because I can't imagine my life without her."
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, but all I could focus on was the feeling of his hand on my waist, the warmth of his body against mine.
It was just pretend. But I could so easily get lost in that game, in the warmth of his eyes.
Aiden leaned down and kissed me, his lips possessive and demanding.
As if he were lost in the game too.
The evening passed in a blur of champagne, dancing, and congratulations. Aiden never left my side, his arm always around me, possessive and protective. It was intoxicating, the feeling of being wanted so completely.
As the night drew to a close and the guests began to leave, Gavin Crude walked toward us.
"Selena," he said. He didn't seem as hostile as he had been when we first met, but I'd been aware of him watching me all night. I knew he'd been assessing and judging me. As I met his gaze, I wondered about his conclusions.
As Gavin's gaze raked over me, a shiver ran down my spine. He was dangerous, and I wasn't sure how to handle him.
"Aiden," Gavin said, turning his attention to my fiancé. "I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement. You've truly outdone yourself this time."
Aiden's arm tightened around my waist, and I could feel his tension. He didn't trust Gavin, and neither did I.
"Thank you," Aiden said stiffly.
"There's something I never told you about my wedding to your mother," Gavin said. "I think you two should get a drink and join me."
"A drink?" Aiden repeated.
"You're going to need it," he said.
* * *
“What doyou think is going on?” I asked Aiden as the two of us stood at the bar.
“I don’t know,” he answered. “My father always has some trick.”
Then he looked down at me, touching my hip. “Whatever it is, we’ll figure it out together. He’s no match for the two of us together.”
I smiled up at him. I knew we were being watched. Aiden took both our drinks and handed mine to me.
Together, we walked across the room to join Gavin, who had paused near one of the long couches. Gavin was saying goodbye to a group of departing guests as if he were the real host.
Aiden smoothly took over, wishing everyone a safe drive home. I took a seat demurely on the couch and sipped my drink.
Gavin stood across from me, then smoothed his jacket as he sat. As if he ever looked rumpled.
“So, Selena,” he said. “What are your plans?”
Your brain. A fine mist.The words floated through my mind even as I smiled and blushed—something I’d worked hard to perfect on cue—as if I was gathering my thoughts before I said, “Well, I’ll keep writing. Aiden and I have talked about children, and we both feel there’s no reason to wait.”
