36. Garrett
GARRETT
We were late.
Very late.
A lesser man might have cowered under Tom Oakden’s stare but not me—not when I made Emerson come with my hand and then my mouth as I jerked myself off.
It was fast and sloppy and I had to jump through the shower again, but it was so fucking worth it.
I couldn’t regret taking the time to make my wife happy.
My wife.
I have no idea how I’m going to make it when I don’t get to call her mine. Because even just thinking that some asshole gets to have his face between her thighs when we’re done has me downright murderous.
And I’m a pretty easygoing guy.
The ride to The Painted Muse gallery was fairly quick for a Friday night, the girls chitchatting while I peppered Tom with questions just to watch his eye twitch at having to interact with me.
Maybe he’s amped for tonight and trying to focus, or maybe he just doesn’t like me.
Either way, it doesn’t matter because unfortunately for him, I love Kat like a sister so he’s just going to have to deal with it.
But will it be awkward when Emerson and I are no longer married?
I can’t deny the way my stomach takes a nosedive anytime I think about it, but as I step out of the car and hold out my hand, all thoughts of anything but my wife fall by the wayside.
She’s breathtaking in a long, red satin dress, her matching lipstick making my dick stir against the zipper of my pants. Theo will kill me and then quit if I make a scene, so I start reciting the alphabet in my head as cameras flash and questions are shouted our way.
It’s not overly mobbed with reporters, but there are enough to make sure we’re seen. Emerson smiles widely at them, angling her body to show off her curves as her hand rests possessively on my chest.
It might very well be the best night of my life.
We stand and smile for a minute longer before being hustled inside by Jace and Grimm, both dressed in dark suits and earpieces. Tom and Kat follow us in a minute later with Ozzy bringing up the rear.
“Boss,” Jace murmurs low enough for only our group to hear, “there’s a new development with the guest list.”
“What?” Tom all but growls.
“Darren is on the guest list. It was updated this afternoon.”
“How the hell did he get invited?” Tom’s voice is low but dangerous as Jace continues.
“The tickets are under Shaun Ellis. He’s a party boy from—”
“New York,” I answer without thinking as everyone’s eyes land on me.
“Roan’s cousin. He’s supposed to be in Colorado, but I don’t know if that ever happened.
He thought he’d get VIP treatment at our shows and afterparties, but we kicked him out almost every time he turned up somewhere.
I’m not surprised they’ve been in touch. ”
“What’s the status on his removal from the band?” Tom asks quietly, his eyes scanning the crowd.
“It’s done. Everything went better than expected. Roan handled the paperwork, but we didn’t get any pushback from Darren.”
I watch as Tom’s eyebrow arches, and I can hear how suspicious that sounds now that I’ve said it out loud.
“Do you really think he’ll cause a scene?” Emerson asks, her expression a mix of elegant sophistication and warrior queen ready to burn the world down.
This woman is a fucking force to be reckoned with.
“No, but—”
“He has a plus one listed.” Jace’s eyes lock on mine. “Heather.”
Tom swears under his breath as Emerson goes perfectly still, the flash of fury in her gaze the only tell that she’s even heard him.
“If his hands are tied with the band, he might be using Heather to make waves,” Jace offers as my stomach sinks. Emerson was looking forward to tonight, and Heather complicates things not only because she’s tied to me but because Heather fucked with her business.
“Should we go?” I ask quietly, a million plans to make this up to Emerson flying through my head.
I’m nothing if not resourceful, and I can have some cherry tarts brought over from Mr. and Mrs. Dominick.
And even though Theo would hate me for interrupting his date, I could get the movie thing set up in the backyard.
And then I could make her come until she’s too tired to keep her eyes open.
“We’re not going to leave,” she says, pulling me back to our little huddle that’s getting more lingering glances the longer we stand here.
“You’re also not going to cause a fight in the middle of this place,” Tom warns, staring pointedly at Emerson who shrugs one shoulder.
“I won’t start it, but you can be damn sure I’ll finish it,” she says, a smile playing on her lips as his nostrils flare. I’m sure this is a dance they’ve done many times over the years, neither one interested in conceding defeat.
“Maybe they’re just here to enjoy a nice night out,” Kat offers, her forest-green dress shimmering as she leans in to lay her hand against Tom’s chest.
“Kitten, I love that you see the good in everyone, but now is not one of those times.” He presses a kiss to her temple before returning to the conversation, the softness he’d shown his wife tucked away in an instant.
“Everyone be vigilant tonight and stay close. We’re not causing a scene, but we’re also not going to deal with any fuckery they might have planned. ”
“Yes, sir,” Ozzy, Jace, and Grimm reply in unison before dispersing, blending into the crowd with practiced ease.
“I could use a drink,” Emerson says with a deep exhale, a fake smile stretching across her face.
“Is that a good idea?” I ask, placing my hand on the small of her back.
“I think it’s a worse idea if we don’t.”
“Emerson—”
“Garrett, do you know what the name of this lipstick is?” The question has my eyes dropping to her lips painted in the sexiest red shade. They curve up on one side, and I force my gaze to drag back up to meet hers.
“What’s that?”
“I Dare You.”
“Is it really?”
“No, but it should be,” she says with an air of confidence I can only aspire to replicate. “No one gets to ruin our night simply by existing.”
Chuckling, I lead her toward the bar because honestly, how can I argue with that?