Page 132 of By His Rule

A bitter laugh erupts.

“Have I finished?” I balk.

Does he really think I was about to offer up the next ten years of my salary to spend seven days in the Mediterranean on this mega yacht?

“Let’s go and find our seats.” His hand once again slips into mine, sending a rush of warmth up my arm.

Instantly, a calmness washes through me.

“The menu for tonight looks incredible,” he says after nodding at someone I don’t recognize.

“I wouldn’t know. I haven’t seen the invite,” I mutter.

He chuckles beside me before leading me into a huge ballroom.

“Wow,” I breathe, attempting to take it all in.

They might be raising money for underprivileged kids, but they haven’t held back with the glitz and glamor.

“Wouldn’t the money that’s been spent on all this have been better off going to the cause?” I ask quietly as Kian studies the table plan and finds our seats.

“In theory, yes. But things aren’t always that black and white.”

I want to ask more, but I keep my mouth shut, fearing it will only irritate me more.

I need to remember that all those insane figures I just read on the auction lots are going to this charity. It’ll help many young athletes with their dreams of playing professional sports that, for whatever reason, they can’t achieve on their own. That is what tonight is about…so why we need four-foot floral decorations on our tables and gold cutlery. I’ve no idea.

Kian holds my chair out for me, being the gentleman that I catch glimpses of every now and then, before slipping his jacket off and sitting beside me.

“Would it be naive of me to ask what you think?” he murmurs.

I’ve been to events before. But I have never experienced something on this scale.

“Yes.”

I squirm in my seat. I’m further out of my depth than I ever have been in my life.

I thought the boutique and the salon were bad, but this…this is next level.

Kian’s hand brushes across my back before his thumb caresses my bare shoulder.

“If it makes you feel any better, you’re the most beautiful woman here.”

My insides tighten at the honesty in his tone.

“Is that supposed to make me feel better?” I hiss, trying to hold onto my irritation and not allow myself to be swept along with his smooth words.

“It isn’t meant to do anything. I’m just telling you the truth. Everyone is enthralled by you.”

“Kian,” I warn.

“They all want to know who you are.”

I tense, panic shooting through me.

Why didn’t I think about this?

I bet there are people out there right now doing a deep dive on Google to find out who Kian Callahan’s date for this event is. They will want to know what family I belong to, if I’m worthy of a man of his stature.

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