Page 95 of The Desire

A strapless dress is tightly fitted over every curve of her breasts and hips, all the way down her body until halfway down her thighs. The hem of the dress is curved on the front, lowering as it wraps around to the back of the dress. Sparkling netting is softly gathered and falls all the way to the floor from that seam. I try so hard to kickstart my heart, but the only part of my body I can feel moving is my cock that is now hard as rock and reminding me what I have been missing.

Our eyes meet, and I feel her anxiety rising rapidly from here, but something isn’t right. Even with all the makeup, I can tell the color is draining from her face, and the anxiety is turning to fear as her body starts to sway slightly.

Shit.

My legs are moving on instinct because I know this is about to end badly.

Shoving people to the side as I’m trying to get to her, I can see her starting to faint and falling toward the ground. It’s happening in slow motion, and it’s like there isn’t a sound in the room I can hear.

Nic and Tori have their backs to her, greeting the organizers who have been positioned just inside the doors all night.

There is no mistaking my heart beating now as my legs power me across the floor. I lunge to just get my hand under her head before it hits the floor, rolling her toward me so that she partially lands on me. I don’t wait to check she is okay, just push to my feet and sweep her into my arms. I’m out the door as I hear the commotion erupt behind me. Tori is screaming Lou’s name, and Nic holds her back, yelling to me he’ll find help.

I don’t need it! I just need some privacy.

One of my men is by my side as I stride from the room, and he points me to a room down the corridor. Pushing the door open, he hits the light switch for me and then closes the door behind him, and I know he will position himself right outside the door.

Then there is a voice of someone who is arguing with him, but I can’t pay attention. I’m too busy laying El down on a couch. This is the room they must use for a wedding party to wait in before they enter their reception dinner. There are long counters and mirrors with strips of lights above them on the wall and plenty of comfortable seats around.

“El, wake up, baby, you need to wake up.” She is clammy and still so pale. I need to find water or something, but I’m not leaving her. I’m never leaving her again. This is all my fault. Why was I so stupid? I should never have walked away. I should’ve just told her the truth that day.

“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” I can’t help it, I give her what she needs, my touch. Just like she calms my soul, I know I calm hers too. Being apart has turned the world upside down for both of us. Leaning down, I kiss her lips so softly, just willing her to open her eyes for me.

Her eyelids start to flutter a little, her body moving slightly.

The faintest whisper comes from her lips. “Rem…”

My hands are on either side of her face as those beautiful brown eyes start to focus on me properly. “I’m here, El, I’m right here. I’m not leaving.” My thumb strokes her cheek, and I can see the color returning a little as she wakes up.

Kissing her forehead gently, I pull back to look her in the eyes again, when the door opens, and all I hear behind me is a voice still arguing with my guy on the door.

“I told you I’m a doctor, she needs to be checked, and they know me.”

And then Tori’s voice comes booming into the room. “If you want to keep your job, then I suggest you move aside.”

I know my man won’t move unless I tell him to--or one other person whose voice is then calmly speaking in the corridor. Nic.

“It’s fine. We just need a moment. Thanks, Darren.” Of course, Nic knows his name. He remembers every one of his staff. He has never mentioned it, but I know his memory is almost as good as mine, and that’s saying something when I have a photographic memory.

Dr. Keats then comes storming into the room, and I swear if he touches her, I don’t know if I’ll be able to hold back from putting him on his ass.

I stand and place my body between them. “Stop right there.” The tone of my voice tells him I’m not joking.

“Move, Rem, and let Drew check her out,” Tori yells at me, but I haven’t moved and neither has he.

“Not happening. I’m taking care of my girlfriend.” I cross my arms over my chest and feel her hand touching my leg ever so gently.

Even when she is half out of it, El is still trying to be the calm in my storm.

“Good for you. Now move, so both my girlfriend, who is also a doctor, and I can check on Elouise and make sure it’s just a simple fainting spell. You’re lucky she keeps some supplies in her car.” Drew stands up in front of me, not backing down, as a woman I’ve never seen before, dressed in her evening dress, comes into the room carrying a doctor’s bag.

“Girlfriend?” I growl, looking at Tori who shrugs sheepishly at me.

“Well, it worked. Someone had to push you to stand up and tell the world you were together.”

Nic looks down at Tori, and I can tell he wants to kill her as much as I do right now.

“We will be discussing this later,” I say, glaring at Tori and stepping to the side but only enough that I’m now at the side of the couch and leaning over, holding on to El’s hand.

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