9. Rosenna
Chapter nine
Rosenna
A s I curled my hair for Vincent’s dinner tonight, I watched Gavin in the mirror. He was busy fussing over which tie to wear.
When I told him Vincent had invited the both of us to his dinner, he didn’t seem all that pleased. I’d expected that. I learned to live with it rather than oppose it, and that’s made our marriage a bit easier to bear. He expressed how much he didn’t want to go, so I was confused as to why he was making such a big deal over what to wear.
Slipping on my black floor-length dress, I adjusted the spaghetti straps and smoothed out the high slit.
“How long are we planning on staying?” Gavin asked.
I bit my lip as I put on my earrings. “Depends... Vincent said he had some people he wanted Kira and me to meet, so…”
Gavin just walked into his closet. It was like I couldn’t get it right.
I thought he’d be happy: happy about the connections I’ve made, the progress, and the potential I have to bring in new clients and business… But he was angrier at the idea.
Slipping on my black strap heels, I looked at myself in the mirror. I felt beautiful… and alluring, almost seductive but still a bit innocent. I didn’t mean to give off the vibe, but I simply looked it.
Gavin walked out of the bathroom and headed straight for the door. I wasn’t exactly waiting for a compliment… but one would have been nice to have from my husband every once in a while. It was almost as if he didn’t notice me at times. And sometimes, I wanted him to, even if it was the little things.
When you do your own hair, you tend to curl your ends, and you make it neater.
Let me show you what it means when a man fucking cherishes you.
A woman like you… deserves to be understood, cherished, adored… worshipped.
His words rang in my head, and I blushed heavily as I tried to push him out of mind. Beckham was dangerous . He was conniving, dominant, seductive… Everything about his nature screamed danger in the face of a woman trying to hold her marriage together.
“Rosenna,” I heard from downstairs, and I grabbed my clutch as I walked out of our bedroom door and went down the steps.
Gavin gave me a head-to-toe glance and clenched his jaw. “Ready?”
I nodded, grabbing his hand as he led us out to his car.
When we made it to the event, Gavin went by valet parking, and Kira immediately ripped open the passenger side door and checked my hair, makeup, and nails.
She looked absolutely stunning but was focused on ensuring I looked presentable.
“Is this really necessary?” Gavin said, irritated.
I shrugged as Kira opened my clutch and grabbed my lip gloss. I never asked her to do all that she did; she was just the sort of perfectionist who wanted everything to be done a certain way.
“It is if you don’t want my foot up your ass,” she muttered, concentrating on her task at hand. My eyes widened as she carefully placed the gloss on my lips. Noticing my expression, she smiled harmlessly as she looked over to him, her tone perking up. “Kidding! Love you, Gav. Should be only a sec.”
He stepped out of the car, annoyed.
Kira looked back over to me and rolled her eyes. “You know I’m not kidding.”
She put away the lip gloss and fluffed my hair a bit, then held my hand for me to step out. As I stood, she fixed my dress, and Gavin waited impatiently.
“Cheer up, Gav!” She advised, “No need to be so grumpy. Now, Rose, smile. All the time. We’re going to find Vincent, give him a good laugh or two, and let him walk you around the room to introduce you to some people. We may be at a charity event, but we still need to make a profit. Catch my drift?”
“You are absolutely insane,” Gavin muttered.
I had to hold back my laugh as I nodded, listening to the woman beside me, who basically had dollar signs for eyes.
We entered the building, and it was stunning—decadent, but not in a flashy way. I’ve always admired architectural integrity, and here, every inch demanded attention.
The ceilings arched high above us, adorned with intricate carvings that framed crystal chandeliers. Along the walls, delicate sculpted flowers bloomed from the stone. Even in its age, the structure felt alive.
A few heads had turned to look at us as we walked, and we heard a man’s familiar voice as he excused himself from the group he was talking to.
“Just a moment, gentlemen. Rosenna, darling, I’m so glad you could make it,” Vincent said with a smile, though he and I both knew I didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. “Kira, sweetheart, you look incredible. The both of you look absolutely stunning.”
I smiled, letting out a small laugh. “Thank you for having us, Mr. Garcia.”
“The pleasure is all mine…” His attention turned to Gavin. “I don’t believe we’ve officially met yet. Vincent Garcia.” He held his hand out.
Gavin cleared his throat. “Gavin Johnson. It’s an honor to meet you, sir.”
Mr. Garcia nodded but gave me a side glance as if he’d confirmed something… and I knew exactly what it was. Gavin and I didn ’ t share a last name. If it were up to me, I would have changed my last name to his in a heartbeat… but when we’d gotten married, Gavin wasn’t too keen on changing last names just yet, said we needed more time. Five years later, people still ask how I still refer to myself as Ms. Hart even though I’m married.
“Rosenna, I have a few of my associates I’d like to introduce you to, and—oh, Kira darling? The event planner has been rather inconsistent today. My assistant is having a bit of trouble coordinating everything. If you could, would you stop over by the end of the stage and make sure everything is all right for me?”
She nodded. “Of course, sir.”
His smile grew further. “You’re such a doll. Thank you.”
We went our separate ways. I looked over to Vincent as we walked before I shook my head. “I have the feeling you may be trying to steal Kira away from me, Mr. Garcia.”
“Of course I am, darling. She’s wonderful to work with and can do almost everything… but I wouldn’t do that to you. I’ll only steal her occasionally.” He winked, and I laughed. Gavin remained silent.
“Gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to Rosenna. She’s the businesswoman I told you about along with her very persistent assistant.”
The men laughed as they shook my hand, politely introducing themselves to me. It felt surreal how much attention Vincent Garcia was giving Kira and me. It had to be a dream of some sort.
“She will be hosting an art expo for Beckham in the upcoming months in a few of her museums. How she managed to make him leave his art studio is… simply beyond me.”
Vincent’s acquaintances looked rather shocked. They began asking a few questions and even asked Gavin some as well. It was actually quite enjoyable.
Soon Kira called Vincent over for a small speech, and we dispersed to find our tables.
All of a sudden, the hairs on the back of my neck stood as I felt a familiar dark, possessive gaze on me. I bit my lip as I tried to ignore it, but I almost gave out as a warm, inviting, dangerous hand was placed on the small of my back.
I knew who it was before I turned.
Looking up, I found Beckham gazing down at me… hungrily. His eyes were dark, and he seemed agitated. He took in a deep breath, and I noticed again he was breathing in my scent. This man is absolutely feral.
Then Gavin turned toward us, and Beckham’s hand fell away.
I barely had time to recover before I felt another grip: my husband’s. His fingers slid around my waist, not gentle, not protective but possessive.
“Rosenna,” Beckham murmured. I tried to hide my blush as he continued roaming his eyes over my attire. However, his face contorted as his eyes landed on Gavin’s hand. “You look absolutely stunning tonight.”
Then, he looked over to Gavin as he tilted his head. “You must be her husband, Gavin.”
Gavin kept his grip on my waist tight… as if he was afraid I’d move or leave his side.
“Yes... and you must be Garcia’s son.”
“As well as your wife’s newest client,” Beckham remarked cockily.
I felt like throwing up.
Gavin glared. “Yes, well. It was nice meeting you. Let’s go find our seats, Rose.”
He all but dragged me past Beckham, only for him to lean in slightly, taking another whiff of my scent while Gavin didn’t notice. I looked over my shoulder momentarily to see him closing his eyes briefly as if he had to calm down, and he opened them and stared back at me with pure lust.
I turned away, flustered, and eventually sat with Gavin at our table. Kira joined me by my side after a short while, and we listened to Vincent as he gave his speech.
All this was too much. Gavin—Beckham. Feeling overwhelmed, I excused myself from the table to find some quiet. The hall toward the back of the banquet hall was dim, the noise from the event muffled behind thick walls. After going into the bathroom, I quickly did my business and stepped out.
All of a sudden a hand clamped around my wrist, yanking me back as I let out a gasp. My chest hit the wall, breath knocked from my lungs. Warm fingers ghosted down my waist as a soft whine left my lips.
“You think… you can get away with fucking wearing this… showing off your body to every man in the building, and I wouldn’t do something about it?” Beckham said into my ear.
I whimpered as he shamelessly ran his hands down my waist and over my hips.
“Beckham, it’s just a dress… please not now. Gavin, he—”
“Just a dress?” he accused, and I gasped as I felt him press his length into my ass. “Do you see what you do to me, Flower? And you think it’s still just a fucking dress?”
My thighs clenched as I slowly felt a pool forming in my underwear, the feeling masking the utter fear building in my chest. He turned me around and grabbed my jaw in his hand.
“You look too fucking good tonight for me to hold back…”
I moaned as he crashed his lips against mine.
I wanted to push him away. I really did… but he noticed me tonight.
He cherished me, and he adored me.
He gave me the attention I craved from my husband, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want more.
“I want a taste…” he murmured, pulling away.
“You already stole a kiss from me…”
I let out a soft gasp as he knelt down on one knee and threw my exposed leg from the dress slit over his shoulder. His fingers trailed up and down my leg and I was grateful for the wall behind me as I wanted to melt in his hold.
“You’re right, Flower… but those aren’t the only lips that I want to kiss.”