Chapter 15
By the time the night of the product release is here, I’m a bundle of nerves.
Everyone at work knows Deacon and I are together, but this is my first official outing in public as his girlfriend. While we might all go out for dinner or drinks occasionally, it’s usually just the two of us.
I haven’t made any friends outside of work in Auckland yet, but I have formed friendships with Simone and even Mallory, which surprised me. She’s switched to being one of our most ardent supporters.
Deacon stands as I enter the living room, his eyes shining with happiness. I suck in a breath. I’m so in love with the gown we chose, and while it hugs me, it’s still comfortable. Besides, I love the expression Deacon gets on his face when he looks at me in it. As if we’ll never leave the apartment.
As for him—I’ve never seen him dressed up in a tux, and he fits it well. I let an audible sigh escape, and his lips curl into a cocky grin.
“Like what you see?” he asks.
“Yes.” I’m breathless. This is what he does to me. I’ll never get enough of this feeling.
“I’ve got something for you.”
My eyebrows rise. “You’ve already done so much.”
He shakes his head. “Come here.”
I walk toward him slowly as he picks up a paper bag from the coffee table. My stomach flips when he reaches in and pulls out a long black box.
“Something Mallory said made me think that we should go all out tonight. So, I bought you this.”
He hands me the box, and with trembling fingers, I lift the lid. Inside is a ruby pendant, the colour not as dark as my dress, but still, it makes me draw in a deep breath and gape at him. “Deacon, this is too much.”
He shakes his head. “No, Pippa. It’s still not enough to show you how much you mean to me.” Reaching for the box, he pulls the pendant out and then motions for me to turn around.
I shiver as his hand brushes the nape of my neck, and I close my eyes—the woody scent of his aftershave surrounding me.
He fastens the pendant around my neck before placing a kiss on my collarbone and taking my hand to turn me back to face him.
“These too.” He hands me a small box.
Inside are matching earrings, and I tear up. He’s thought of everything. Infinity have several product releases every year, but with this being my first, Deacon’s gone out of his way to make it special.
I love him so much that it hurts.
“Don’t you dare cry,” he murmurs. “Put your earrings in, and let’s go. I want the world to see my girl.”
It only takes a moment to switch out my earrings, and Deacon’s affectionate gaze warms my heart.
“This is only the start, Pippa. I’m sure we’ve got years ahead of us where I get to be the luckiest man in the room with you on my arm.”
I reach up to cup his cheek. “I’m the lucky one.”
“I’m not going to fight you on this, but you’re wrong.”
Shaking my head, I turn away from him and pick up my clutch purse. Deacon protested, but I managed to find one that matched my dress and paid for it myself before he could pounce.
I’m not stupid—Infinity has made him rich. But I’ve always paid my way and I’m not about to stop now.
He links his fingers with mine. “Come on, beautiful.”
Every time he says something like that, my heart beats a little faster. I’m so in love with him, but I’m still a little scared to say it.
What if he doesn’t say it back?
It’s a smooth ride to the hotel where we’re holding the event. Earlier today, I was here with Mallory and Simone as the conference room was set up.
There are tables around the outside of the dance floor, and a DJ who’ll get things going after the formal announcements.
Thankfully, neither of us are any part of that. We just get to relax and hopefully enjoy.
That doesn’t stop me from being just a tiny bit terrified of the whole thing.
Hand in hand, we walk into the room.
One look and I know this isn’t my scene.
The room is full of beautiful people.
I knew there would be models—Simone told me as much. I’ve never dressed up the way I have tonight, but I still feel like a hobo compared to some of the women here.
Deacon grasps my elbow, and I lean into him.
“Nervous?” he asks.
“This is a bit much.”
“You’re my girl, and I’m showing you off.” He brushes his lips on my temple. “Don’t you forget that. I’ll be by your side the whole night because there’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
I love you.
I’m so close to saying it, but I bite it down instead and nod.
“Deacon.”
I’m not intimidated at all.
That’s the chant that goes on in my head as a blonde amazon walks toward us. She’s flawless, her face perfectly made up, leaving me self-conscious about my own efforts.
Her gaze is fixed firmly on Deacon, but his hand on my waist doesn’t move an inch as she approaches.
It must take a lot of skill to completely ignore me—her eyes don’t move from Deacon’s face. But as if sensing my discomfort, his grip tightens and instead of greeting her, he buries his face in my neck and plants a kiss on my skin.
“Pippa, this is Adeline. She’s the face of Infinity Drinks products.”
I nod. I have seen her in the advertising before, but if anything, she’s even more beautiful in real life.
Her eyelashes flutter as if she’s fighting her distaste. That’s all it takes for me to completely change my opinion. There’s an inner ugly there that she’s trying hard not to let surface.
“Nice to meet you.” I smile as if my stomach isn’t doing backflips.
“You too,” she says before her eyes flick back to Deacon and a sly smile appears on her face. “Dance later?”
Deacon shakes his head. “All my dances are taken by this beautiful lady.”
The smile disappears, and her eyes flash with anger before she turns and stalks away.
“That made me popular,” I mutter.
“I don’t care what she thinks.” Deacon gives my hip a squeeze. “There’s only one woman in this room whose opinion matters to me.”
My heart warms and I lean my head against his.
He kisses my temple before grabbing my hand and pulling me behind him. “There’s someone I want you to meet.”
After leading me toward a tall, blond man in a tux, he lets go of me long enough to extend his hand. “Jacob Preston. It’s good to see you, man.”
Jacob grins. “Deacon. It’s been a while. I don’t even think you were at the last launch.”
Deacon shakes his head, and I raise my gaze to meet Jacob’s.
“Jacob, this is my girlfriend, Pippa Chapman.”
His eyebrows rise. “Girlfriend? Someone actually tamed you?”
I laugh, and Deacon chuckles.
“Very much so. And I’ve never been so happy.”
I lean on his shoulder at his words. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life with him, but we’re usually so busy losing ourselves in each other that we don’t talk about it.
“I’m happy for you.” Jacob fixes his gaze on me. “What do you do, Pippa?”
I exchange an amused glance with Deacon. “I’m his PA.”
He nods. “Nice.”
“Pippa and I have known each other since we were children.” Deacon tangles his fingers in mine. “She recently came back into my life.”
Jacob shoots me a cocky grin. “And you ended up with this guy? What went wrong?”
I bark out a laugh. “Everything’s worked out just fine.”
“Well, you know, if you ever change your mind … I’m available.”
Deacon’s grip on my waist tightens. “Never going to happen.”
Turning my head, I kiss his cheek. “Settle down.”
“You do have it bad.” Jacob winks at me and chuckles.
“Stop flirting with my girl.” Deacon’s tone turns angry, and I’m not sure I like that.
“I’m sure she doesn’t mind.”
This went from being fun to serious in about two seconds. It’s too much. I pinch Deacon’s arm. “I need to go to the bathroom.”
Deacon squeezes my hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
His eyes search mine. “Don’t tell me you’re fine if you’re not.”
I lean in and brush a kiss over his lips. “I really am. I just need a minute.”
He frowns. “Okay. I’ll be waiting.”
Nodding toward Jacob, I smile. “Good to meet you, Jacob.”
I head toward the ladies. As the door closes, the loud sounds of the room behind me are muted, and I pause for a moment before heading into a cubicle.
I just need to catch my breath. This is all such a lot to deal with. I’ve never attended anything like this—the closest thing was my school ball, but this is the big time and a part of Deacon’s life I’ll have to adapt to if we’re together.
The outer door squeaks as it opens, and the sound of heels clacking on the wooden floor tell me there’s more than one person out there.
Taking one more deep breath, I stand and reach for the lock.
“Have you seen that woman hanging off Deacon? What’s up with that?” One woman snickers, and the others laugh.
My throat tightens.
“I swore to myself this was going to be the year I bagged him,” Adeline’s voice echoes through the bathroom. “Instead he’s got her hanging all over him.”
My eyebrows rise. Deacon’s wrapped himself around me to the point of suffocation tonight, and while I love it, it’s been a little weird. And that moment with Jacob?
He’s displaying to the world he’s taken.
I grin. He’s all mine.
My insecurities had flooded to the surface, but he’s constantly showing me what I mean to him. I have to have faith in that. I have to have faith in him.
“I’ll have to get rid of her. He’s so much more my league than hers,” Adeline says.
For a moment, I waver. Is this where it all falls apart? When all my fears come to pass? But Deacon wants me. He hasn’t said he loves me yet, but he always leaves me thinking he’s waiting for me to catch up while I’m already there. I’ve been there for years.
I should bite the bullet and tell him.
Flipping the lock, I take a deep breath and open the stall door.
Adeline’s eyes widen as I step out and walk toward the basins to wash my hands.
She says nothing as I turn the water on and squirt the soap.
But when I turn to reach for the paper towels, she’s in my face.
“I’m not sure who you are, but Deacon’s on a whole other level to you. He’ll ditch you anyway, so why slow things down.”
One of her friends takes a step closer. “Addie, I’m not sure?—”
“You’re so not his type. I am.”
I pause, licking my lips to give my mouth the moisture it so desperately needs. “Is that why he’s never been with you?” I say.
She scowls.
My heart leaps. I didn’t know for sure whether they’d been together at some point or not, but her reaction tells me I hit right on target.
I tug on the paper towels, pulling two out and wiping my hands dry before throwing them in the bin. “Maybe he’s just good at seeing the ugly on the inside and staying away from it.”
As I walk away, her friends part to let me through. Once I’m out the door, I stop and catch my breath. I’m not good with confrontation, but I will defend my relationship with Deacon.
I love him. He loves me.
I know he does.
“Pippa?”
Looking up, I meet Mallory’s gaze. Her face is a mixture of curiosity and concern, but I smile to make her think I’m okay.
She flicks a gaze at the bathroom door. “Did something happen in there?”
I shake my head. “I’m fine.”
Making a break for it before she can ask me more, I scan the room before my eyes find Deacon. He’s in a conversation with Garrett and Victor, but he seems to sense my approach as his azure gaze hits me and tracks my steps.
He grins when I reach him, wrapping his arms around my waist and tugging me against his side.
“Young love.” Victor laughs.
“Nothing better.” Deacon plants a kiss on my lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I spy Adeline’s posse making their way out of the bathroom and slide my arms around his neck. “Maybe we’ll cut tonight short after all.”
Victor reaches over and squeezes my bicep. “Seriously, Pippa, I’m so happy for you two. Deacon’s always needed someone to keep him in line.”
I drop my arms down to intersect with Deacon’s and wrap them around his waist. “Tell me about it. He’d be lost without me.”
Victor’s chuckle makes me smile. “You know what? I really think he would.”
He spots someone and waves. “We’ll catch up again later.”
Deacon nuzzles my ear. “I would be lost without you.”
“I feel the same way.”
He pulls back and meets my gaze. “You’ve changed my life. I don’t think you know how much.”
My stomach gurgles, and I laugh. “Sorry. Right when you’re being sweet.”
“I’m always sweet.” Deacon pecks my lips. “I know I haven’t fed you yet, so get over to the table and grab some food. If we’re heading home early, maybe we’ll stop for burgers on the way too.”
I let go of him and place my hand on my chest. “You know the way to my heart.”
As I turn to walk toward the table, Deacon gives me a gentle tap on the arse. “If only it was that easy.”
But it is.
For all our fancy clothing, the food table is pretty basic. Mallory said they’ve tried different things over the years, but the most popular things to offer are things like pizza slices and sausage rolls.
It works for me.
And now my stomach’s started grumbling, I could eat a horse.
After picking up a sausage roll, I take a bite. These things are small enough you can eat them in two, but if Deacon’s promising burgers, I’ll just eat enough to take the edge off.
I let out a sigh when I hear a woman’s voice.
“The food looks good.”
Right behind me is Adeline’s group. To the left of me, I spot Garrett. He flashes a smile at me and holds up a pizza slice as if we’re making a toast.
Adeline laughs. “The food always looks good. But I daren’t touch any of it. No one wants chunky thighs.”
They all cackle as if she’s said the funniest thing ever, but I roll my eyes and turn back to the table before picking up another sausage roll and popping it in my mouth.
Deacon’s with me, not her.
He wants me.
He must like me the way I am.
Mustn’t he?
I hate self-doubt, but I can’t help it as I keep my back to them.
“God damn it, I am so sick of those bitches.” Mallory grasps my arm and leads me away. “Were they rude to you?”
I don’t want to rock the boat, so I hesitate, and she clenches her jaw.
“It’s nothing I haven’t heard before. She thinks she’s better than me because she’s thin.”
Mallory facepalms. “She’s an idiot. You’re gorgeous.”
“I thought you didn’t like me after warning me off Deacon.”
She shakes her head. “I was wary. In all the time I’ve known Deacon, he’s never been serious about anyone. At first, I worried he would hurt you, but the longer I’ve know you, the more I realise you’re the one person who could really hurt him. But I see the way you look at him, and that’s enough for me to know that won’t happen.”
I’m not sure what to say to that, so I hug her, and she laughs. “I do like you, Pippa. You’re good for Deacon.”
“He’s good for me.” I let her go and smile.
“Mallory, you’d better not be trying to steal my girl.” Deacon swoops in and grabs me around the waist from behind, tugging me against him.
“Just take care of her, Deacon.”
“Always.”
Deacon nuzzles my cheek. “What’s going on?”