Page 82 of Feel Me

The governor steps out of the bathroom with her security detail, smiling when she spots us. She seemed happy when I saw her earlier and mentioned Melissa and I were together. I wasn’t looking for her approval, just happy to share something good with someone who knows us. Still, it was nice of her to give us her blessing.

I nod in her direction and slip my arm around Melissa, feeling oddly protective when we enter the ballroom and crowd of reporters swarm us. I expected some buzz from the press and maybe a few questions when they saw us. I didn’t expect all the flashing cameras.

“District Attorney O’Brien,” a reporter calls. “Are you and Miss Fenske a couple?”

Oh, look, there’s Stone, his cocky smile fading as I answer, “Absolutely, but don’t tell anyone.” I wink. “It’s a secret.”

The crowd laughs. We stop to pose for a few pictures. Damn, it’s good to have Melissa back in my arms. She’s breathtaking and poised and I’m so fucking proud of her. She took the podium as easily as the governor did, handling tough questions with grace and a winning demeanor that captivated her audience.

I keep her close against me as more photographers move forward. The gossip and entertainment columns will be all over the story, as well as the political circuits, but I don’t care. This time without Mel has been among the worst in my life. I want us together, and I’m not afraid to show the public what she means to me.

“District Attorney O’Brien?Melissa,Melissa!” The governor’s assistant frantically waves, motioning us in the direction of more press.

We turn as one, my smile widening. As much as I believed I didn’t need a woman, I was wrong. All this time I needed Melissa, astrongwoman capable of holding her own and standing as my equal.

I lean in and kiss her cheek, stirring the media into a frenzy. More clicks of the camera. More flashes. More attention. We’re getting more press than the governor. But although I enjoy coming out as a couple, I can feel Melissa is overwhelmed.

Her delicate senses are likely on edge. I hold out a hand, keeping my smile. “If you’ll excuse us, I’d like to dance with this beautiful woman.”

The crowd parts as we head to the dance floor. Stone glares as we pass. If there wasn’t all this press, I’d flip him off. But there is, so a grin is more than enough.

We join my family already dancing. Wren and Evan are kissing like usual and Finnie’s hands are just centimeters from Sol’s ass. And look at that, Seamus is dancing with Senator Billings’ daughter.

I play it safe and dance near Killian and Sofia, and Curran and Tess, pulling Melissa close. Killian and Sofia are still in that honeymoon phase, and one I’m not sure they’ll ever grow out of. Curran and Tess are ready for their next kid, but there’s Curran, his hands even lower on Tess, than Finnie’s were on Sol’s.

I motion to the way Curran curls around Tess and their unborn child. “I want that for us,” I tell Melissa quietly,

Melissa turns to look at them, only to glance quickly away.

Shit. Too much too soon, I suppose. But I’m tired of denying how I feel or brushing it aside, like it will somehow go away.

That locket I gave her . . . as crazy as it sounds it was almost a ring. More than once during my time in that jewelry store I found myself looking at engagement rings.Me, the same guy who was perfectly content to die alone.

My fingers skim over her back. I told her I didn’t believe in forever. Now that I do, will she believe in it with me? It’s too early to tell. This is our first night in too long. But as I gather her closer and kiss her bare shoulder, I can’t think of a better start.

My lips trail to her cheek. I want to taste her lips. But I need to behave and watch my hands around the press.

“Have I told you how stunning you look?” I whisper, careful to not speak too close to her ear.

“Yes. Thank you.”

Her voice shakes and it’s not because of the way I’m touching her. Like I said, I’m watching my hands. Something’s wrong. I angle my chin so I can see her. She turns, resting her cheek against my shoulder and shielding her face from mine. The rustle of fabric against her hearing aid should bother her in this position. Regardless, she stays where she is, attempting to hide.

My palms smooth down her back. “What’s wrong, baby?”

She lets out a breath. “As soon as the song is over, I need to check on my dad.”

Her father. Of course. No wonder she’s so upset.

She holds me closer, like she’s afraid to let me go. But I’m not going anywhere.

I stroke her spine. “I’ll go with you,” I promise. Hell, after all he’s done for me and what his daughter means to me, it’s the least I can do.

We spend the remainder of the night dividing our time between her father, my family, and some of the higher ups, my arm rarely leaving her waist. But when we return to the limo, and the door shuts behind us, we’re all over each other.

Her large breasts bounce in my face as she rides me. I snag one in my mouth to suck, my lap colliding against hers. She clutches my head, her circling hips slowing at the start of her orgasm. I flip her over, throwing her legs over my shoulder and pumping hard.

We’re loud, intense, and unable to get enough. My hands grip the seat as I come. I’m not quite finished and already looking forward to the next round in my apartment.

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