Page 51 of Under His Protection

I kissed her again until she softened and moaned against me.

“I want to mess you up in every dirty way there is,” I warned into her ear. Her shivers were my reward, and without releasing her fully, I led her toward the door.

“But first, the gala.”

I sighed and nodded. “Yes. First, the gala. Where I can show everyone that you are mine.”

We were supposed to only be pretending about it all, but I wondered how I could explain to her that I wanted it to be real between us.

Tonight. The second I bring her home. We left, and as I drove, I envisioned how I’d tell her that things had changed. We’d lie on my bed, naked and tired from fucking hard, and I’d look her in the eyes and tell her that I was done faking anything with her.

Headed to the Sarround Gala wasn’t a prime time to realize that I had to update her on what I wanted. But afterward, she’d know the truth.

On the drive there, she asked a variety of questions about the event, and I enjoyed the simpler companionship with her, just talking.

“It’s to benefit the children’s hospital,” I answered after her inquiry about what the gala was a fundraiser for.

“That’s altruistic,” she quipped.

“It is. But the real reason we go is to keep tabs on our friends and enemies.”

“That’s a nonstop challenge, though, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “It is. And always will be.”

“How big of a crowd will be there?”

“At least three hundred?” I guessed. The only comparison I had was my wedding, when I married Grace and had our reception at the same large venue. Five hundred people attended that, and the crowd at last year’s Sarround Gala wasn’t as well attended as what I remembered from my wedding.

“That’s a lot of people.” She raised her brows in shock.

I grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Nothing to be nervous about.”

She cleared her throat. “As long as I stick with you, right?”

I chuckled. “Oh, I’m not letting you out of my sight for a second.”

The slight increase of pressure on my knuckles soothed me. She wasn’t too aloof or nervous to avoid interacting with me.

“This feels like the big test. Proving to all the important members of your world that we’re an item.”

I grinned. Baby, I think we already are, whether you’ll struggle to believe it or not. “Which shouldn’t be too hard to pull off.”

She smiled, dipping her chin a bit, almost bashful.

Yeah, you know we’re good together. Don’t try to deny it.

“Stay with me. Follow my lead,” I suggested.

“And play along?”

I can’t wait to play with you again.

I had my chance at the gala. We arrived, and I kept my promise. I didn’t let her stray more than one inch from me, and I kept her hand in mine the whole time. Or secure in my embrace. Or tucked in against me as we kissed.

She was docile and submissive, truly following my lead. Other women, all decked out in their fine gowns and sporting elaborate makeup and updos, were nothing more than trophies for their partners. Many were likely escorts. Still, we stood out. Nina was a star among the many. Because together, we looked like true partners. A couple. A real pair.

She gazed at me with such trust and open honesty that she would play along with whatever I suggested to her. And she did.

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