8. Drew
DREW
I adjustmy cufflinks as the limo pulls up outside the Fit Mountain Opera House, anticipation and determination warring in my chest.
Tonight is the charity gala, my first public appearance with Eliza. Although I”m a little wary about meeting her family, I can”t wait to show her off.
My girl looks stunning in a floor-length emerald dress that hugs her curves. Her hand fits perfectly in mine as we step out of the limo and make our way down the red carpet.
As we walk up the carpet, camera flashes illuminate the night while a few reporters shout out questions.
”Mr. Donovan, how does it feel dating your rival”s sister? Should we expect a merger in the near future?”
”Mr. Donovan, any comment on the Alley Street project?”
I smile politely, keeping my arm firmly around Eliza”s waist.
”We”re here to support a great cause and have a wonderful evening. Any business discussions can wait for another time.”
I steer Eliza towards the entrance, relieved to escape the press and their prying questions. The lobby is packed with Fit Mountain’s upper crust, who size us up behind polite smiles and curious glances.
”Why is everyone staring at us?” Eliza whispers, her grip on my arm tightening slightly.
I chuckle and lean down to whisper back, ”Because you”re the most beautiful woman in the room. And you”re with me.”
She blushes and I feel a surge of pride.
As we make our way through the crowd, we run into a familiar face - Eliza”s roommate, Willow.
”You made it!” Eliza says with excitement as she wraps her friend in a hug. ”I was worried you weren”t going to get off work in time.”
”My boss agreed to let me leave thirty minutes early,” Willow replies with a smile. ”Melanie and Jake are on their way, too.”
Eliza turns to me with a gleam in her eye. ”Drew, this is my roommate, Willow. Willow, meet my... um... boss, Drew.”
I can”t help but chuckle at the introduction, but I let it slide. Extending my hand to Willow, I give her a warm smile. ”It”s a pleasure to meet you, Willow.”
Willow laughs lightly, shaking my hand. ”Nice to finally meet you, Drew. Eliza talks about you all the time.”
My gaze slides past her to the entrance as someone catches my eye. Heath has just walked in wearing a tuxedo and is scanning the crowd.
What”s he doing here?
Spotting us, he makes his way over with purposeful strides.
“Evening, brother,” Heath says as he claps my shoulder.
”Evening,” I reply, raising an eyebrow. ”Didn”t expect to see you here tonight.”
Heath chuckles. ”I was in the area and thought I’d swing by.” His eyes have an unmistakable spark as they land on Willow.
Interesting.
Heath turns to Eliza and gives her a friendly smile. ”You must be the lovely Eliza my brother won”t shut up about. I”m Drew”s brother, Heath. It”s great to finally meet you.”
Eliza smiles warmly at Heath. ”It”s wonderful to meet you too, Heath. Drew has told me so much about you and your family.” Then she gestures to Willow. ”And this is my roommate, Willow. We”ve been friends since college.”
Heath takes Willow’s hand, never breaking eye contact. His next words come out like a growl. “Pleasure.”
A blush creeps over Willow’s cheeks as she stammers a reply. Heath grins, clearly pleased with her reaction and I hide my smirk, wondering how Eliza will react when she realizes my brother is about to claim her best friend.
Suddenly, the warning chime sounds, letting us know the performance is about to start. Eliza glances around anxiously. “We should head upstairs. Are you coming, Willow?”
“You two go ahead. I’ll keep Willow company.” Heath winks at Willow, who appears torn between protest and delight.
Eliza giggles. “Okay, we’ll see you after?”
Willow nods, still flushed under Heath’s admiring gaze. Chuckling, I steer Eliza toward our box before she can comment further.
This night is turning out to be more interesting than I anticipated.
We settle into the plush seats of my private box and Eliza sits on my lap as the curtains rise. A hush falls over the crowd as the curtains sweep open to reveal a lavish set gleaming under the spotlights.
But my focus isn’t on the stage. It’s on Eliza.
I nuzzle her neck as my fingers trace idle patterns along her arm, inching higher with each caress. Her breath hitches when I brush the side of her nipple.
“Drew,” she whispers in a warning tone. “What if people see?”
“Let them see.” I nip her ear, scraping my teeth over the tender lobe. “Everyone here already knows you’re mine.”
A soft moan escapes her, barely audible over the swell of music from the orchestra. Then her thighs part, an unspoken invitation I have no intention of refusing.
My hand slides under her dress, tracing up her inner thigh. Her panties are already soaked when I tug them aside and dip a finger into her slick heat.
Eliza jerks against me with a gasp, one hand clutching my wrist. “Drew, please...”
I nip at her neck, thrusting into her slowly. “You like this, don’t you? Letting me play with this sweet pussy in public where anyone can hear?”
I curl my fingers against her, massaging a spot that makes her eyelids flutter shut.
“But you’re not going to let them hear you, are you sweetheart?” I growl as I pump faster. “Because you’re a good girl. And you know that no one gets to hear your sounds but me.”
I lose myself in the rhythm of my strokes, the soft sounds she makes, and the way she clutches at my arm. Her inner walls flutter and clench, rippling around my fingers as she comes quietly apart.
I withdraw my hand and lick her sweet honey from my fingers. “There, isn’t that better?”
Eliza nods, her eyes half-lidded and dazed.
Good. The edge is off her nerves, and now she’ll be thinking of this all through the next act instead of worrying.
I smooth down her dress and wrap my arms around her waist, settling in to enjoy the rest of the show.
An hour later,the intermission bell chimes and the crowd heads for the lobby.
Eliza stands on shaky legs, her cheeks still flushed.
”How are you liking the performance so far, baby?” I ask as I pull her in for a lingering kiss.
Eliza gives me a shy smile. ”It’s amazing. The singing, the costumes, the set...they really pulled it together.”
I lean in close, my lips brushing her ear. ”Not as beautiful as the way you looked coming apart for me in front of all of these people.”
I take her hand and lead her downstairs, scanning the crowd. Fiona is standing next to a pillar by the bar, holding a glass of champagne. Beside her is a tall, dark-haired man in a well-tailored suit. Probably Wes.
Eliza tenses as she spots them, fingers clenching around mine.
I give her hand a squeeze. “Relax. I’m here with you.”
As we approach the two of them, Eliza clears her throat. “Fiona, Wes, I’d like you to meet my…boyfriend, Drew.”
“Boyfriend?” Fiona’s eyes widen, champagne sloshing over the rim of her glass. Wes grabs her elbow, his glare sharpening.
I incline my head. “Nice to meet you both.”
“Eliza, seriously?” Fiona snaps as her eyes flit back and forth between her sister and me. “Please tell me you’re joking right now.”
I decide to nip this in the bud. No point dragging things out. “Look, Fiona. I understand there’s been tension between our families in the past. But Eliza and I hoped that might change.”
Eliza shoots me a startled look, color draining from her face. I give her hand another quick squeeze. Trust me, I want to say.
“Is that so?” Wes snorts. “Funny, that’s not what we heard.”
Fiona hushes him with a sharp look. To me, she says, “Go on.” Cautious interest in her tone.
“I’ve been discussing a possible partnership with my brothers. A collaboration that could benefit both our companies, and the town.” I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. “But that’s still in early talks. I mainly wanted to extend an olive branch, for Eliza’s sake.”
A heavy silence. Fiona and Wes exchange a loaded glance, years of unspoken communication in their eyes. Finally, Fiona nods, slow but decisive.
“We’d be open to discussing this further.” She fixes me with a piercing look. “But if you hurt her, all bets are off.”
“Duly noted.” I glance at Eliza, whose eyes shine with relief and gratitude. She believes in me, as I do in her. “Shall we continue this over dinner next week?”
Another loaded glance, but this time Wes nods as well. “Next week would work.” His tone is grudging, but it’s progress.
The bell chimes again, signaling the end of intermission. I smile, my pulse quickening with victory. “Excellent. It’s a date.”
Tonight went even better than I hoped. And after this, the Parkers will have a harder time keeping Eliza and me apart.
I turn to Eliza, offering my arm. “Shall we head back to our seats, baby?”
She beams up at me. “Of course.” She loops her arm through mine, and I lead her back upstairs toward the private box, warmth blooming in my chest.
Despite her family’s objections, Eliza chose me. And after tonight, I’m confident they’ll come around in time. For now, though, I have her all to myself.
We resume our seats in the plush velvet chairs as the lights dim once more. But as the orchestra launches into a dramatic swell of music, I find my focus wandering.
Eliza sits curled against my side. She came into my life like a burst of sunlight, waking me from the solitude and cynicism that had become my norm. Now, I can’t fathom going back to the bleak half-life I lived before.
I bend to murmur in her ear, “I meant what I said, you know. About us facing things together.”
She raises her face to mine, eyes glowing. “I know. Just as I meant it when I said I love you too.”
A fierce surge of possessiveness rises in me.
Cupping the back of her neck, I bring her mouth to mine in a searing kiss. The music swells again, but I no longer hear it. In this moment, nothing else exists but the two of us.
When we break apart, chests heaving, Eliza searches my face with wondering eyes. “What was that for?”
“Because I love you. Because you’re mine.” I kiss her again. “And I wanted everyone to know it.”
A flush stains her cheeks, but her lips curve into a smile. She kisses me back, soft and sweet. “They already do. I’m yours, Drew, now and always.”
Always. The word resonates within me, an unbreakable promise.
Tonight changed everything. And this is only the beginning.
The End
***