Chapter 20 — Nial
~Two Days Later
If she hadn’t left my bedroom when she did, things would’ve spiraled out of control quicker than either of us could blink.
Honestly, if I didn’t know better, I’d have thought she came prepared for the worst. Getting laid. Kiera never bothered to comb her hair or wear lipstick. Yet that night, her hair was neatly combed, her lips painted a shade of red.
It was deliberate.
She wore that white robe in a way that seemed rather seductive. It revealed a glimpse of her cleavage and her alluring thighs when she moved. Half the time she was listing out her conditions, I was barely listening.
It was hard to concentrate with the fresh skin above her breasts flashing in my face. The scent of her perfume was intoxicating, reminding me of the night she surrendered completely to me.
I was certain that whatever crazy thoughts were running through my mind were also running through hers. Her eyes sparkled with the familiar flash of desire, hinting that she wanted me as much as I wanted her.
The agreement we reached was the least of my concerns. At the top of that list was how to douse the flames burning within me. My chest heaved with slow breaths whenever I discreetly drank in the sight of her body.
I traced the curve of her mouth as she spoke, thinking about how good it would feel to shut her up with a fervent kiss. Between my legs, my cock swelled with each passing minute. The more I tried to make it shrink, the harder it became.
At some point, she glanced down and saw the print of my erection. I should’ve been embarrassed. But I wasn’t. Because I was almost certain she was wet between her thighs.
The air was filled with sexual tension, as though our emotions were hanging on a thread. All it would’ve taken was for one of us to make the first move.
Maybe I would’ve done that if my phone hadn’t interrupted. She didn’t even wait a second longer before storming out of my bedroom. The sudden buzz was an opportunity to run, and she took it. Without hesitation.
A part of me was relieved that nothing had happened that night. But the other part couldn’t help wondering how things would’ve turned out if we’d given in to the temptation.
I spent the whole night creating fake scenes in my head, all of which involved being intimate with her. When I lay in bed, I tried to stroke my cock, to jerk off to my imaginary scenes.
But I didn’t. Not because I couldn’t.
I just figured I’d be torturing myself in doing so. It took a lot of self-control to pull that off, especially because my cock was hard as a rock. Although we missed out on the chance to satisfy our hunger, I told myself it wouldn’t happen a second time.
If the opportunity ever presented itself again, I wasn’t going to let it slip through my fingers. The only question I asked myself was, would she also be willing to seize the moment with me?
It must be consensual.
If not, I’d back away.
***
I sat on the couch in the living room, my legs crossed as I waited for her to get ready. Every now and then, I’d glance at my watch, wondering what was taking so long.
For the first time, I’d combed my hair to perfection and knotted my tie like a gentleman. My crisp white undershirt was neatly tucked in, my tailored suit draped over it.
I told myself that I was intentional about my appearance because I chose to be. That it had nothing to do with impressing Kiera. Or the fact that she was coming with me to a gala.
But was that the truth, or was I lying to myself?
Personally, I wasn’t even sure what the event was about yet. I just wanted to show off my fiancée to the elites who controlled the city. This was going to be our first public appearance as an item, and it made my heart race.
I bought her a new dress for the occasion, one I’d selected myself. As I sat there waiting, my head was filled with the images of her in that gown. I anticipated seeing her looking all glamorous and gorgeous.
To pass the time, I grabbed a book lying on the side stool and fixed my eyes on the pages. I’d barely read seven lines before catching the scent of her perfume.
My heart skipped when I raised my head and met her gaze. She was climbing down the stairs, her manicured fingers trailing the polished railing. With her other hand, she clutched a black purse to her thigh.
Her golden-brown hair was styled into a neat bun on top of her head, her red gown hugging her in all the right places. The thin straps left her arms exposed, her soft skin glowing under the lights.
The neckline dipped a little, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her cleavage. Not too much. But enough to make a man’s heart sink. Her makeup was simple and classy. It matched the tone of her skin, accentuating her beauty.
I’d never seen her dressed like this, and the rare sight thawed something frozen inside me. My pulse raced, my cock twitching in my pants as if acknowledging her presence.
Even her movement was different, like a runaway model. This version of her sent a wave of emotions crashing through me. I was captivated, mesmerized, and completely seduced.
I didn’t even realize I’d sprung to my feet until now.
“Someone decided to comb their hair,” she teased, her voice smooth and enticing. “That’s a first.”
She’d noticed.
A small grin tugged at the corners of her lips, painted a bold shade of red. “Do you look like a gentleman, or am I tripping?”
Fuck, she was gorgeous!
And that smile…it was heavenly.
“Don’t get used to it,” I replied, keeping a neutral expression. “Let’s go, we’re already late.”
Her face twisted into a faint frown. “You don’t have to be such a buzzkill all the time.” She began walking toward the door, her heels clicking against the floor.
You dumb fuck, I cursed at myself.
***
The air was filled with the soft hum of conversations, the chandelier’s warm glow draping over the space. Waiters and waitresses in their signature black and white moved through the crowd, balancing trays of champagne on their hands.
With her elbow locked in mine, we waltzed into the grand hall, our presence commanding attention. Kiera clung to me like a lifeline, displeased by the number of eyes on her.
“You didn’t tell me we were gonna be the center of attention,” she whispered through gritted teeth, maintaining her calm and composure.
“Just ignore them and keep walking.”
A live band was playing at a corner, the soft classical music drifting through the air. I dipped a hand into my pocket as we made our way through men in tuxes and women in elegant dresses.
Whispers rippled through the hall as heads turned and gazes followed us around.
“Why is everyone looking at us?” she asked me with her previous tone.
“Everyone likes a beautiful couple,” I replied, keeping a straight face.
The real reason for their stares was my new look and the fact that I brought a woman to the gala. I always came alone to gatherings like this, escorted by my men.
Yet tonight, here I was, dressed to impress, with a gorgeous woman as my plus-one. Of course they were going to stare.
“Holy cow!” a familiar voice called, laced with a hint of astonishment. “Is that you, Nial?”
It was Miguel Sanchez, a high-ranking member of the Mexican Cartel. He was a business partner of mine who played a huge role in securing an alliance with the Cartel a few years ago.
He approached us with a faint grin on his lips, his permed hair and full beard catching the soft light.
When he halted before us, his brows arched in disbelief. “I’ll be damned. It is you.” A quiet laugh fell from his mouth.
“Good to see you too, Miguel,” I replied, stretching out my hand.
He shook it, his grip as firm as I remembered.
“I still can’t believe my eyes,” he said, his Mexican accent lacing his tone. “I mean, look at you. You almost look like a gentleman.”
“That’s what I told him,” Kiera chipped in.
Miguel’s eyes shifted toward her, and for a moment, he froze. “Buenas noches, hermosa,” he said in Spanish, palms rubbing in glee.
My Spanish was a little rusty, but I got this one loud and clear. He’d said, “Good evening, beautiful.”
The idiot was flirting with her.
I looked him dead in the eyes, my voice dripping lower than usual. “Bájale. Esta me pertenece.”
Essentially, I told him to back off, that this one was mine.
“Damn, you have eyes for beautiful women,” he said to me before facing her again. “I’m Miguel. Miguel Sanchez.”
“Keira,” she answered, wearing a polite smile.
“Lovely meeting you, Kiera,” he said. “I can already see the effect of your presence in his life.”
“That was not necessary,” I said to him.
He glanced at me and replied, “The truth, my friend, is always a hard pill to swallow.”
Kiera laughed lightly, the first genuine one I’d seen on her face in a long time. Her eyes crinkled at the corners, her lips parting to reveal a glimpse of her perfect dentition.
Just when she was starting to ease into the night, trouble came knocking on our door.
“Well, well, would you look at that?” Vika’s arrogant voice poisoned the air. “If it isn’t the last people I expected to run into tonight.”
Kiera’s expression darkened, but she said nothing.
He halted before us, his mouth curved into a pesky little smirk. “I almost didn’t recognize you two.” A mocking laugh came forth. “But I gotta admit, you complement each other in a way I can never understand.”
“Vika, leave,” I warned him, my voice low and even.
“It’s amazing what you’ve done with her,” he said, his eyes pinned on Kiera. “I mean, it’s not easy cleaning up peasant girls; I can tell you that for sure.”
Her grip tightened around my elbow, her eyes flashing with fury.
“What’s the matter? Did I strike a nerve?”
“You son of a….” She lunged at him, ready to claw out his eyes.
I held her wrist and gently pulled her back. “Not here. Not now.”
“Whoa…feisty!” He laughed. “I see why my cousin digs you…literally.”