Page 56 of Beautiful Betrayal

She turns to me. “The entire staff will know I’m fucking you.”

I laugh. “Well since you’re living with me, I think that, yes, they will assume that we’re fucking.”

“Are we really telling them I moved in with you?”

“Baby, we’ve been together six months and you haven’t stayed at your place since. I’m in love with you, Mia. You’re in love with me. It’s time to stop hiding.” The valet knocks on the window. “We need to get out. We’re blocking the drive. I’ll come around to get you.” I hesitate. “Or we can leave. If you don’t want—”

“No. I do. I don’t want to hide. I’m established enough at work. I love you. Let’s do this.” She turns toward the door and I hit the locks. I step out of the car and hand the valet a large bill that shifts his scowl to a smile.

I round the vehicle and do the same for the guy on Mia’s side and then I take her hand, walking her to me, and to the sidewalk just outside the door and behind a pillar. “You look beautiful,” I say, giving her curves in a flesh tone, sparkling, knee-length gown a once-over. “Get used to spending my money. It looks good on you.”

“I don’t have to. You do it for both of us. You had a dozen gowns delivered, Grayson. That’s excessive.”

“You wouldn’t shop. I didn’t know what you’d like, but for the record, this was the one I wanted you to wear.”

“I don’t ever want you to think I care about the money.”

“You can’t live life with me and keep fighting the money, baby. I have it. I damn sure don’t want to spend it alone.”

“I know, but—”

I lean in and kiss her. “We don’t argue unless we’re naked, remember?”

“You win all those arguments.”

“That’s the idea.” I wink. “Come, baby.” I slide her arm to my elbow. “Let’s go donate some money to charity and tell the world we’re in love.”

She catches my arm. “Are you sure you love me enough to do this? Because I can’t risk my career if you don’t really love me.”

“Where did that just come from?” I cup her face. “I love you like I didn’t think I could love, but if you don’t love me enough to—”

“I do. You know I do.”

“Then we’re going now. Stop thinking so much.” I pull her under my arm, sheltering her with my body and making sure she knows how completely I’m claiming her.

We enter the gallery and we’re greeted at the door by a hostess who directs us toward one of the event rooms. We travel the long walkway and I slide our fingers together right as Mitch, Mia’s direct supervisor, walks out of the room we’re about to enter. He stops dead in his tracks, looking stunned. “What is happening?”

“I asked to meet with you for the past three days,” Mia says. “I wanted to warn you.”

He looks at Grayson. “I—what does this mean?”

“It means we live together, we’re in love, and Mia gets no special treatment.”

“I don’t want it,” she says. “I think I’ve proven I’m good at my job. I’ll continue to prove that I’m good at my job.”

I fix him in a stare. “You can continue to be an asshole and ignore your employee’s request for a meeting for three days if you like, though that’s not a behavior I personally practice. I believe you’ve gotten a meeting with me immediately each time you’ve asked.”

“I have,” Mitch says, glancing at me. “I’m sorry, Mia, and I’m not saying that because you’re with Grayson. I was a shit to put you off.” He looks at Grayson. “I’m having trouble with a case. I might need your counsel.”

“Call me in the morning,” I say.

Mitch nods and steps around us, “Oh my God,” I whisper. “You just--”

“That had nothing to do with you, Mia,” I say. “I don’t approve. That’s not how I operate. That’s not how my father operates and he deserved to get sideswiped.”

“Grayson, damn it.”

I turn her to face me. “You’re my woman. If he’s a dick to you, he’s a dick to other people. He doesn’t get away with that. I expect you to tell me if there is anything that doesn’t represent me the way you know I want to be represented. Earn your own way, I get that, but you’re still my woman. We’ve talked about this. The only way to be my woman is to protect me and protecting my company is protecting me.”

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