Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
BLAKE
Thankfully, I won't be in this office much longer. Anytime my eyes land on the couch, I grow hard. After I ordered us lunch, I fucked my wife before she had to hurry back home to make one of her appointments.
Normally, I'm not a fan of swanky events, but the Swan Foundation is one that has done a lot of good for the city, and my lawyer, Lauren, has a huge role in the organization.
It's also the first event she'll be at since her engagement was finally announced.
I'm truly happy for her. I know how much she loves Emma and hated having to keep their relationship quiet.
If anyone understands wanting everyone to know your girl belongs to you, it's me.
I clean up the rest of my shit, tossing the folders into a box to take home again. Things are falling into place. I've been drowning for a week, and I can finally see land. I'm surprised that neither my nor Truly's parents have shown up to my office.
They may not have heard the whispers yet, but it doesn't take long for these things to travel.
They might be worried about a blow-up happening here, or they know that security isn't even going to let them up at all, which to them would be mortifyingly embarrassing.
I was sure they'd at least come demanding to see their daughter.
I ignored their emails and calls until they said they were going to report her missing.
Then I'd made it clear that my wife was with me and she didn't want to see nor speak to them.
That prevented them from filing a missing persons report, which I'm not sure they would have to begin with.
That doesn't fall into the scope of appearing to be this well-to-do family. Image is everything to them, and that’s never going to change.
When I exit my office, Emily is gone. She must have wised up because her whole demeanor changed after Truly showed up here.
She got the message loud and clear. I know I told Truly I wasn't going to fire her, but she wasn't one of the employees I was making sure was taken care of.
She'd been at the bottom of that list, and now, I don't feel I can even offer up a recommendation.
The woman could end up being someone's HR nightmare.
It doesn't take me long to make it back home. Truly is still getting ready, sitting in a white robe while a woman plays with her hair. She shoos me along, so I jump into the shower and put on my own suit.
"Honey," I call when I exit the bathroom. Everyone is now gone, and there is only my wife standing there. "Truly." I swallow and start walking again. I hadn't realized I'd stopped. "You're breathtaking." And I mean that. She has only ever been the one that could do that to me.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” She meets me the rest of the way.
Her hand comes out to fix my tie. “Thanks for setting everything up today. I felt like a princess with how everyone was doting on me.” The dress is white, making me suddenly want a wedding.
Nothing big, it could just be us, but to say our vows to one another.
“It’s the treatment you deserve, Truly. As your husband, I hope I will always be able to take care of you and make you feel that way.
” She lifts her mouth up for me to kiss her.
I oblige but don’t let it linger, not wanting to mess up her lipstick.
“Let’s get there so we can get back. This dress is going to taunt me all night. ”
“Really?”
I lead her out to our waiting vehicle. “Yes, really. I love the dress, Truly. It’s you.”
“That’s what I thought! The dresses they’d brought were unexpected. Unlike any my mother would ever let me buy.”
I’d figured as much. When she went to college, she was given freedom to shop on her own. I could quickly see her style change.
“That’s what Rachel helped me with mostly. The range of dresses and styles to bring over. I told her what you wear and about your personality. She was able to get that across to the stylist, it seems.”
"Rachel seems really nice.”
I take her hand into mine as we make the drive across town to the event. "What will happen if you sell or move, you know what I mean?" She waves her other hand, and I can tell she's flustered.
"That will be up to Rachel." We've already talked about a few ideas that she's mulling over. A few projects that she is excited about.
"Right."
"She won't be out of a job if she wants one," I reassure Truly. She doesn't like Emily but doesn't want me to fire her. Truly is tenderhearted. I'm sure she's worried about Rachel being a new mom. I don't want her to fret over it.
That was another reason I hadn't told her about trying to find my employees new jobs or packages. She's been worrying about a bunch of people she's likely never met. Truly could end up changing her mind out of guilt and want to stay. I want to keep the burden away from her.
"Oh my gosh, it just hit me." Truly sits up straighter. "Do you think my parents will be there tonight?"
"They were not invited," I reassure her, making her relax back into her seat. I can't wait for this to all be done with. Then Truly will not have to worry about bumping into them—that is, if we stay here.
“Oh wow, this is a big one," she notes as we pull up outside of the Monarch Center. There is a red carpet, and people are taking pictures in front of the step and repeat.
"More people, more money," I point out, not a fan of these. I'd rather send a check, but you have to show up from time to time.
"That's true." She nibbles on her bottom lip.
"We can walk past it." I hadn't had any plans of stopping.
"It's okay." Truly sits up straighter. I press a kiss to the top of her head before I open the door to step out. I give my wife my hand to help her out.
Fuck, she's beautiful. A few flashes hit us, lighting her up. I want to shove her back into the car and leave. I hate that I have to share her with the world, but I know that I can’t avoid it forever. The only upside to it is that everyone will now know she’s mine.
I kiss her hands before linking our fingers together. Truly lets me lead her toward the entrance. She gives a few polite smiles, which is taken as an opening.
"Mr. Lockheart!"
"Is that your wife?"
"Is it true you're opening a new branch on the West Coast?”
Truly flicks me a glance.
"I'm not here to talk about business. Tonight is about raising money for a good cause and"—I lift her hand to kiss it again—"enjoying an evening out with my beautiful wife." I watch her cheeks pinken, the same way they do when I talk filthy to her.
I only have to get through an hour. Then I can take my wife home and make her blush everywhere.