Chapter 16
I rub my hands on the gold mermaid sequined dress I’m wearing whilst observing from the side of my eyes if anyone notices how nervous I am. My auburn hair is styled in a chignon bob for the night, drawing more attention to my dress.
“Breathe,” Cameron instructs. His hot breath tickles my ear making me shiver momentarily. “You look like you might pass out any minute.”
I exhale shakily. “I’m just not used to these kinds of places.”
He snickers, “That’s funny, coming from an event coordinator.”
“That’s different,” I whisper back, darting my eyes toward the line of photographers positioned at the entrance of the hall. “I set things up. I don’t star in them.”
“I don’t see the difference.” His tone is light, but there’s an edge there, like a quiet warning not to mess this up.
I roll my eyes. Standing beside Cameron in public feels like stepping onto a stage I never auditioned for. Somehow I’m regretting agreeing with Collins to attend this gala with Cameron, but our first public appearance couldn’t be delayed any longer than it has.
He steps aside to exchange pleasantries with a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair.
I flash a smile at the man once Cameron does the introductions.
The man’s hand lingers a little on mine.
“You’re still holding my hand.” I point out when he doesn’t let go.
“Oh, forgive me,” he says, but the look in his eyes says otherwise.
I feel my skin crawl, but I keep the smile on my face to conceal my irritation.
“I was a bit dazed by your beauty,” he adds, transporting me back to the days when I was newly recruited to work with Mrs. Randolph.
She used to introduce me to older men, posing as clients for the organization. I almost gave up on the job when I found out the intentions of the men, but she quickly stepped in, not to help me, but to protect her image.
Cameron’s hands on my waist keep me from responding. The man notices it.
“Alright, Gray. I’ll see you around. It was nice to finally meet the Mrs. Gray.”
I flash a small smile at him which vanishes the minute he turns around.
Cameron remarks, “Keep doing that and we’ll survive the evening.”
I nod even though I still feel my skin prickle from the stares I’m getting. A waiter floats past with a tray of champagne. I grab one and down it in one go.
Cameron’s hand strokes my back, and I don’t like the feel of his hands on me.
“You’re doing it again,” he mutters.
Easy for him to say. He looks like he was born to be here.
Me? I feel like a kid playing dress-up. I keep my chin up anyway.
By the second glass, the nerves have reduced. By the third, warmth courses through my veins and the knot in my stomach loosens up. I throw my head back, let out a giggle that sounds foreign to my ears.
The drinks make me bolder. When Cameron introduces me to some sports investors, I blurt, “This one?” with a giggle, pointing at him. “He barely knows how to hold a good conversation, but sure, trust him with your career.”
The man chuckles, and Cameron’s mouth twitches.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” I nudge him once the man is out of earshot. “You wanted me to relax.”
“You’re more than relaxed now, Brie. You’re acting weird,” he notes in a worried tone.
“Weird? I think that’s actually a compliment coming from you.” I giggle, half from the alcohol, half from how close he is. At this point, I’m not even sure my brain is functioning properly. “What’s weird is how close you are to me.”
He tugs me closer and then I feel his breath on my hair as he says, “Because you’re my wife for the night.”
I wrap my arm around his neck and yank his ear down to my mouth. “Pretty sure the wife thing is ongoing, not just for the night.”
I pull back, meeting his gaze head on. He doesn’t look like the grump I first met. He’s lighter in a way that makes my insides clench.
The event goes by in a blur with award presentations, fundraising appeals, laughter, wining and dining. The majority of the people Cameron introduces me to openly compliment how good we look together, a win for him. He looks smug through it all, his kisses and feathery touches growing bolder.
“I think we should take a seat,” I suggest to him after a while. The music has taken an upbeat now and it seems the gala is transitioning to a full-blown party. The dance floor is getting crowded, but my feet are killing me in these heels.
“Why? The party just started.” I know he’s being sarcastic because he looks at the people on the dance floor with disinterest and a subtle hint of irritation.
I open my mouth to protest but pause when I catch a head of platinum blonde hair strutting towards us. My eyes narrow into slits. Great.
“Brie!” she exclaims with a fake excitement. Her arms spread like we’re friends. “You look absolutely stunning.”
Her dress is baby pink. If I didn’t dislike her so much, I’d tell her she looks cute. But I bare my teeth in what I hope comes off as a polite smile.
“Miranda. You’re here.” I glance around. She could literally be anywhere else.
“Oh, darling, I go where the fun is. And it’s quite the turn out, so I’m glad I came.”
A beautiful fake smile spreads across her face. She is really taking our bosses advice about being gracious and now going overboard. Her eyes flick to Cameron, then back to me.
“Hi, there. I don’t think we’ve been properly introduced,” she says, extending a hand to him. “I’m Miranda Green.”
Cameron nods at her without taking her hand. “So, you know who I am then,” he replies, and I find myself smiling inwardly.
“Of course. I’d be living under a rock if I didn’t know who you are. I always watch your games, and I have to admit, you’re a crazy good athlete, Mr. Gray.” She says the last part with a purr.
I resist the urge to gag at her words. It’s obvious that she fancies Cameron. She leans closer, shoulder brushing mine, angling her body toward Cameron like I’m not standing beside him.
Not tonight, witch.
I slide my arm through Cameron’s and rest my head on his shoulder casually.
“Sweetheart,” I say loud enough for her to hear, “can we get another drink?”
Cameron stiffens, glancing down at me, caught off guard.
I beam up at him and bat my lashes.
His smile returns. “Sure, baby. Anything you want.” The way he says the endearment sends delightful shivers down my spine. That’s the nicest tone he has ever used with me.
Miranda’s smile falters. She tries again, throwing Cameron a question about some game that happened last month, but I cut in with a laugh, patting his chest. “He’s too modest to admit it, but he played like a champion that night.”
Miranda’s jaw tightens. When she realizes we’re about to leave her stranded, her sweetness turns sour.
“Well,” she says tightly, “enjoy your evening. It was good to see you,” she says to Cameron and turns on her heel.
I let out a sigh of relief. Good riddance!
Cameron smirks down at me. “We don’t like her, do we?”
“No,” I mutter, pulling away, though the butterflies in my stomach are doing backflips.
We don’t get the chance to dance because he’s surrounded by more acquaintances, vying for his attention. He insists I stay by his side, and I do my best to contribute intelligently to his little conversations, earning more respect in their eyes.
“Whose idea was it for you to put these pearls in your hair?” he asks sometime later, tucking in a stray strand of my hair.
“The stylist. Why?”
“It’s beautiful.” That’s one of the many compliments he has sent my way tonight and I almost blush again but remind myself that he’s doing it for show.
“Thanks,” I say anyway.
I shy away, trying to hold in my blush when my eyes meet with blue eyes right across the room. He’s tall, dressed in a white tux, sporting a buzz cut. He’s smiling as he sips from a glass, his eyes locked on me.
A chill runs down my spine and I break my gaze. I try to shake it off but when I look back, he’s still in that same spot smiling. Slowly, he raises the glass in a toast.
Before I can call Cameron’s attention to him, he’s gone, slipping into the crowd like he was never there.
I clutch Cameron’s sleeve. “There was a man over there watching me. He was smiling like he knew me, but I’m certain I have no idea who he is.”
Cameron chuckles under his breath. “There are a lot of people here. Are you sure you’re not making up things in your head?”
He would say that.
“I’m not kidding, Cameron. I know what I saw,” I say with a serious tone.
His expression changes and he says, “Describe him.”
I do, starting from his haircut to that toast. With every detail, Cameron’s face darkens.
“Stay away from him,” he says in a cold tone.
“Do you know him?”
“Yeah. He’s bad news, trust me.”
“Oh,” I joke. “I thought he was kind of cute.”
Cameron’s face pales when he looks at me then he shakes his head. “You’re my wife.”
I lean in and say, “Are you serious right now?”
“Very.”
After that, he doesn’t leave my side. His hand stays at my back protectively. He introduces me around with a smile that feels different now, more real. He even slips in more compliments. To everyone else, we look like the perfect couple. Collins will be pleased.
By the time Cameron finally agrees for us to leave, my feet ache and my head is spinning. I toy with the thought of carrying the heels I’m wearing but I don’t want to ruin what has been a perfect first night out.
He opens the car door for me, and I get in, muttering a quiet word of gratitude. The car is silent. Too silent. Until I realize Cameron isn’t closing the car door and is staring at me. Not quick glances. He’s staring like he’s trying to memorize my features.
Heat crawls up my neck. “What are you doing?”
“Nothing,” he says, but his eyes don’t move.
“Stop staring at me and get in the car,” I mutter, looking down at my knees.
He doesn’t. If anything, his gaze grows intense.
I turn to tell him off, but my face collides with his. His breath mingles with mine and then he leans down.
His lips lock with mine. I can taste the champagne on his tongue when the kiss deepens.
The feeling in my chest bursts wide open as my heart plummets.
My hands automatically reach for him, and now I’m outside of the car.
I kiss him back as he cups my face with his palms. He presses me against the vehicle as I feel his abs all the way to his shoulders, pulling him closer.
At some point, he’s pressing firm against me and my legs are straddling him. I’m stuck between his body and the car. Then his hands slide under, cupping my breasts.
A moan slips out before I can stop it. I press into him. His tongue tangles with mine. Everything but him blurs away.
“Sir, ma’am,” a familiar voice scares the crap out of me. I turn to see Miranda in her car. “Get a room.” She laughs as she drives away.
“Bitch,” I murmur as Cameron sets me down on my feet.
He holds open the car door for me with a smirk. “Get in, wife. I’m taking you home.”
“About that––” I start but he shuts the door on me and walks around the back of the car.
Cameron gets in the driver’s seat, and I can’t bring myself to look in his direction.
‘What have you done, Brie?’