Page 21 of Shattered

His breath faltered.

It made me smile.

I knew I looked good, but the way he admired me made me feel like the sexiest woman in the world.

Apparently he likes my dress.

“Sara, you look…breathtaking.You’re actually making me rethink taking you out in public tonight.”He advanced a few paces.“I don’t want any other man to bask in your complete and utter beauty.But alas, we must attend, so it seems I’ll have to restrain myself and do my best to make it through the evening.”I swear he’ll have a smile plastered on his face the whole night.

“Oh.One more thing.” He reached for a small box sitting on top of the kitchen island.As I stepped closer, I noticed the wordingCartier.

Opening it, he extended it so I could take a look.A close look.What I saw made my eyes bulge.It was beautiful, but I prayed he hadn’t bought such an extravagant gift for me.

It was simply too much.

Emeralds and diamonds danced together, linked in one huge circle.

“Do you like it?” he asked.

Before I could respond, he took it and brought it around my neck, clasping it and running his fingers over my shoulders as he walked around to stand in front of me.

“Don’t worry.I can see that look in your eye.It’s merely a loan.Although, if you want, I can definitely buy it for you.Just say the word."

“It’s on loan?” I asked as I ran my hand gently over the precious stones.“Like inPretty Woman?”

“Pretty Woman?” he asked.“I assume it’s a movie.”

“You’ve never seen it?Oh, you don’t know what you’re missing.”Without letting him speak another word, I launched into my tirade over one of my favorite movies.“It’s about this prostitute who meets this rich guy, and he hires her for the week, and she changes him then they fall in love, and he rescues her on her balcony even though he’s afraid of heights.”I took a much needed breath.“It’s very romantic.”

The look on his face was priceless.“Sounds…um…interesting.I’m assuming somewhere in the movie he gives her a necklace?”

“Oh, yes.When he takes her to the opera.”He smiled, amused by the faraway look on my face.“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“You’re rather stunning when you’re excited about something, rambling on about this movie being no exception.”

Another minute passed before he extended his arm and asked, “Shall we?”

~~~~

We arrived directly in the midst of the fluttering cameras.Alek had already warned me, rubbing my back to try to calm the rising nerves.

“Just breathe, baby.You’ll do great.”

Holding on to him, we headed toward the front of the hotel.I tried my best to smile as we made our way through the throng of people, stopping every now and then to catch my breath.Between the dress and the flashing lights, I was caught off-balance more times than I’d wanted to count.But all in all, everything went smoothly.

Until I heard some rude man yell out, “Who’s the flavor of the week, Mr. Devera?”

I’m sure it was done to garner a reaction, not only from him but me, as well.They’d almost succeeded.Alek instantly tensed, and as he started toward the ballsy photographer, I gripped his hand and pulled him in to me.

“Alek, don’t give him the satisfaction.It’s exactly what he wants.Please…please, don’t give it to him.”I was holding on for dear life because I wasn’t sure what he would end up doing.Eventually, he turned toward me and as soon as his eyes found mine, he physically relaxed.

We made a beeline for the door.Many paces later and we were ensconced in the ballroom where the event was being held.Rich tones of red, browns and golds made for an over-the-top elegant room. People milled all around the expansive area, conversing and networking with one another.

Alek was intently surveying everyone in sight.No sooner did he make eye contact with someone before they filtered toward him, shaking his hand and praising him on how the event turned out.He made sure to introduce me to everyone who approached.Most of them were polite enough, telling me it was nice to meet me before quickly moving on to gush over the man attached to my side.There were some who simply nodded in my direction without even uttering a word.

I could feel the men giving me a once-over, as did their women, the looks being quite different.The men were not subtle as they perused my body while the women looked me up and down, a look of annoyance in their uptight glances.Alek must’ve caught on, because he ended most of the conversations rather quickly.

A little while later a distinguished couple approached us.I noticed something different about them almost instantly.

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