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“It’s just temporary to sell our story,” I explain.
“Yes, of course.” Yet she hasn’t taken her eyes off her new jewelry.
“This looks incredible for a fake.” She’s inspecting it closely.
“There’s nothing fake about that.”
Her head jolts up, eyes huge again. “Wait, this is real sapphire and diamonds. How much did it cost?”
“Just shy of a hundred-grand.”
She makes a squeaking sound and pushes her hand out toward me. “Take it off. I can’t wear it because I’ll freak out the whole night that I'll lose it. And why did you buy such an expensive ring, or is it a family heirloom?”
I take her tender fingers in my hand and place them back down on her lap. “I ordered it yesterday, and you will wear it because a fake ring will be spotted a mile away.”
She’s blinking at me, and ends up being quiet for the rest of the trip. I want to reassure her she won’t lose it and if she does, it’s not the end of the world, but I suspect anything I say won’t change her mind. I do enjoy her reaction though, telling me so much about her.
As I bring the car to a stop outside the grand venue, the mass of people cordoned off by ropes come into view.
“Oh God,” Sapphire gasps. “Why are all those people there?”
“It’s mostly the media. No one important.”
“Media?” she squeaks once more.
No sooner do I put the car in park that a valet approaches, smoothly opening the door.
“Mr. Kline,” he greets with a nod of respect. “Welcome. Allow me to take care of your vehicle.”
I climb out and hand him the keys, then make my way quickly around the front of the car. I find Sapphire dazed by the relentless flash of cameras.
“Stay close,” I murmur, collecting her hand in mine and drawing her against me. She sticks to my side as we move past the blinding flashes.
Indoors, we’re quickly guided down a hall toward the ballroom. We pass through the doors into the main event, embraced by the hum of an orchestra. Shimmering chandeliers throw a faint light over the expansive area.
Laughter and chatter fill the air, and while attention is turning in our direction, my name on their lips, my attention is finding Drake before he gets drunk and won’t remember a damn thing.
I hold Sapphire tight to my side, and it feels like half the room has paused to see who the girl on my arm is. Her wide gaze sweeps the room, and she’s studying the stage set up with the jewelry on display to be auctioned.
“You doing okay?” I lean down to ask, catching a whiff of her floral scent, which cuts through the overpowering smells and scent of rich food in the air.
She nods. “Why does it feel like everyone’s staring at me? Or am I being paranoid? God, it’s so hot in here.” She’s shaking against me.
Tightening my grip around her, I draw her to swivel around and face me, our bodies pressed together. It’s close to impossible to ignore the soft cushion of her breasts, the way her body trembles against mine. I grab her chin with one hand, lifting her head as I lower mine to hers until our lips are inches apart.
Her breath catches, her gaze fixed on my mouth, waiting for my kiss. I see it in her expression, and I’m dying to taste her, to lick her, to devour her.
“I am the city’s bachelor and have been for years, so everyone wants to know which girl finally got me to settle down.”
She swallows hard. “Then we’ll give them a show,” she whispers.
I don’t move away. I’m convinced I can’t, not when I want to lean in closer, so desperate that I’m half tempted to put on a show for all the onlookers.
“Hawk,” a loud male voice calls to me, and I drag myself from Sapphire.
Drake’s making his way over to me with his entourage of several females and two guards. He’s in his tux, white hair wild, and fingers glinting with his golden rings.
I grizzle on the inside that he disrupted such a perfect moment, but maybe it’s good to get introductions out of the way.
