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I take in the setting with a smile.Festoon lights twinkle above the dance floor, and flowers seem to burst from every corner.Right away, I spot Rosie, the glowing fiancée, and my brother, Vincent, clearly enamored with each other as they mingle with guests.
Finally, a night where I can just be myself.I exhale a sigh of relief and start to move toward Rosie, only to be intercepted by a group of people I assume are Vincent’s acquaintances that I haven’t met yet.I sense my protector nearby, ever vigilant, as the group closes in around me.“It’s okay.”I signal to Kingsley with a sharp nod, reassuring him that I’m comfortable with the situation.
“Viki Slate!It’s so nice to finally meet you.I’m Georgia,” one of them exclaims, breaking the ice.
“Hi, Georgia,” I reply, a bit surprised.
A woman beside her bursts forward, chiding, “Stop fangirling, Georgia.”
“I love your music, Viki.Could I get a photo?”She doesn’t wait for an answer and holds her camera up.
“Oh, sure,” I say, somewhat taken aback.I didn’t expect to be recognized tonight.
“So you’ve just been on tour,” Georgia chimes in.
“Shh… don’t bring that up,” her friend interrupts, giving Georgia a not-so-subtle elbow.
“It’s so nice you could take time out of your busy schedule for Vincent’s engagement,” Georgia continues.
“Well, he is my brother,” I say, somewhat amused by their enthusiasm.
Both women giggle like schoolgirls, even though they must be in their fifties.
Just then, their presumed husbands join the conversation.“Viki Slate,” one of them announces, eyeing me from head to toe.I feel a cringe coming on under his scrutinizing gaze.“Darius Floyd, from Byrnstrom,” he adds.
As they bombard me with attention, I can’t help but sense Kingsley lurking nearby, watchful as ever, and it’s oddly comforting.
“Hello,” I respond cautiously, then it clicks.“Byrnstrom?The latest acquisition from Slater Corp?”
“Indeed.Vincent invited me more as a gesture than anything else,” he replies cryptically.
Unsure of his meaning, I just nod.“Oh darling, stop it.You’re boring her,” his wife interjects, her jewelry dripping with emeralds the size of rocks.
“Well, congratulations.If you’ll excuse me, I must go congratulate my brother and Rosie,” I say, eager to escape the awkward exchange.
“Okay, let’s catch up later for a drink then?”one of the women calls out, craning her neck as I start to walk away.
“Sure thing.”I smile in reply.
Kingsley smoothly moves ahead of me, efficiently clearing a path so I can extricate myself from the group.He quickly falls back into step beside me, his presence a reassuring constant.Up ahead, I spot Julius and Isabella alone at a bar table.Eager for some family in the midst of this social maze, I quicken my pace to greet them.
“Julius, Isabella!What are you both doing over here alone?”
“We like being alone,” Julius offers when I envelop them both in a warm embrace.
As I step back, I bump into what feels like a brick wall, which I instantly recognize as Kingsley by his distinct scent.I’m about to stumble and fall flat on my face when I feel his large hands catch me by my arms, his fingers unintentionally grazing the underside of my breasts.Annoyance knits my brows, but an unfamiliar warmth spreads from deep within me.
“Shit, Kingsley, must you hover so close?It’s just a party!”I scold, rolling my eyes.
Kingsley maintains a poker face.“It’s my job, Miss Slater,” he responds in his deep baritone voice, his eyes zeroing into mine.
Ignoring the warmth of his gaze, I fold my arms and sigh.“See what I have to deal with?”I can feel my cheeks flush, but I try to shake it off.
Isabella and Julius laugh, seemingly amused by my annoyance.
“Keep it up, Kingsley.”Julius gives him a knowing nod, and I shake my head.
Isabella is telling me about the time when Fox spilled ketchup all over Julius’ rug, and my laughter is interrupted by two men approaching us, their matching grins as wide as their confident strides.
