36. Yasmeena
Chapter 36
Yasmeena
“ W e’re here, baby.” I say to Enrique as the limo stops.
“What?” he has a shocked expression on his face.
“We said terms of endearment in public, didn’t we?” I shrug my shoulders.
He leans over and kisses me just beneath my ear. “Okay. Say it again.”
“We’re here, baby. Let’s go.”
Enrique smiles and gives me a quick kiss. I don’t have to wipe anything off his lips since my lipstick is transfer-proof.
Enrique exits the limo first when the driver opens the door for him then comes around my side as the driver opens mine. He holds his hand out for me to take. The slit in my dress shows my leg first along with my gold detailed stiletto heeled sandal as the rest of me follows.
There’s a hungry expression in Enrique’s eyes mirroring the first time he saw me in this gown earlier. I know how it looks; the gold of it makes my brown skin glow. The busty plunging neckline draws the attention of my teardrop diamond necklace which is complimented with diamond studs for earrings. The rest of the gown hugs my body but gives breathing room via the split and at the waist the added cape gives a bit of a train to follow.
My eyes connect with Enrique’s after he finally looks up.
“You can stare after the pictures, husband.”
“I’ll do more than stare later, wife.” He smiles at my silence and pulls me towards the cameras.
I focus on the pictures being taken trying my best not to think about how his words seemed to have reduced my reply to nothing. Enrique’s arm is around my back with a hand on my waist as curious eyes watch us. The press wants to ask questions but the only ones who can are inside.
None of them ask me for a smile because they’ve never gotten it before and it won’t change now. After we’ve given them what they need, we’re escorted further into the gala.
Immediately, we spot people we know and we work the room like we would do for a work event without missing a beat with one another. As I scan the room, I notice Emily and she’s glaring at me like she did at the relaunching.
Working on what we agreed on for the public, I reach out and cup Enrique’s cheek. His eyes meet mine and I lean in, kissing his other cheek and whispering in his ear.
“I don't want you to be blindsided so I’m letting you know now before you see her. Emily is here.”
Enrique’s body stiffens as he curses under his breath a bunch of emotions play out in his eyes as he sighs.
“Don’t move, I need a moment.” He lays his forehead on mine and closes his eyes for what feels like an hour while his fingers slip through my free hand. His eyes are unreadable again when he opens them. “Shall we continue to mingle, wife?”
Before I change my mind, I connect our lips in the gentle way that he does, kissing him for a moment. His eyes search for an answer and even though I’m programmed to not look him in the eye, I give him the attention that he’s said he needs.
“I did it because it seems to be the thing that you do when you think I need something I’m not asking for.” My thumb caresses him for a moment then I remove my hand.
I don’t know why I did that but it seemed to be the right thing to do.
“Thank you.”
“Welcome, now can you smile while we mingle? We both can’t look mean.”
Enrique’s smile returns to its full wattage as he releases a soft chuckle.
I offer up a small smile as much as I can manage without looking insane.
“Now we’re both smiling, wife.”
“Mine was temporary, let’s move on.”
Enrique laughs harder as he follows me to the next person.