Page 60 of Red

She nodded but still couldn’t bring her eyes to meet his. He might see the truth.

“Rest here, and don’t leave this bedroom until I come for you. I have a few more meetings to deal with then I’ll be back.” He pressed a soft, warm kiss to her cheek. “You are perfect, Melinda, fucking perfect,” he whispered.

Without opening her eyes, she touched his hand. Needing to feel him, to sense the calm in him. She’d done that. She’d given him that peace. And he’d done the same for her.

Chapter 21

Even with the near zero temperatures, a line formed outside Tower. Erik gripped Melinda’s gloved hand tighter as they stepped around the front of the line and into the warmth of the club.

“That was easy,” Melinda teased.

“There are perks to being my wife.” He smiled. It was hard not to after the afternoon she’d given him. After Nico did his best to blacken his mood, Melinda had been there to brighten it again. She’d seen his frustration, but she didn’t run from him or goad him. She’d followed him and let him take her into his darkness with him. And in the end, they were both warmed with her light.

“I suppose so.” She stuffed her gloves into the pockets then shed her coat, revealing the sleek black dress she wore. The neckline plunged into a deep vee, but offered only a glimpse of her soft curves. The long sleeves and low hemline covered almost every inch of her body from the eyes of the other men. At first, he’d been happy with the dress. No one would put eyes on what was his, but now, he saw the seductiveness of the outfit. Just enough of her curves were hugged by the dress to draw his eye, and those around him.

He glared down a man whose attention had honed in on Melinda. It didn’t take much more than that for him to scuttle off into the crowd.

Melinda smoothed her hands over her arms. Even by the coat check, it was still a bit chilly.

Erik handed her coat to the clerk and led her toward the elevators.

“Erik Rawling. I’m meeting with Peter,” Erik explained to the guard at the elevator. Only VIP pass holders and private rentals were allowed above the first floor of the club.

“Are you sure it’s okay I’m here?” Melinda asked once they were alone in the elevator.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“I thought women weren’t exactly involved with the business you do.” As they rose to the second floor, she watched the dancers below through the glass wall of the elevator.

“I think you’ve seen too many movies,” he said. “Besides, the business I’m doing with Peter is completely legitimate. There’s nothing you can’t hear or repeat.” He slipped his fingers through hers, feeling the softness of her skin in his hand.

The elevator door slid open to reveal Peter Titon with a beautiful woman at his side, waiting to greet them.

“Erik.” Peter held out his hand. “Glad you could make it. I know it’s a little busy here, but we’ll have a private room, so it won’t be so loud.” He turned to his wife. “My wife, Azalea.”

“Nice to meet you.” Erik nodded to the beauty standing before him. She hadn’t extended her hand. Peter was not so different from Erik. Azalea wasn’t just his wife, she was his—period—and no one touched her.

Melinda probably thought it archaic, but she didn’t understand the appeal of such possession. Yet.

“Melinda, my wife.” Erik wrapped his arm around her, gently pressing her to his side.

Peter gave his nod in greeting, but Azalea stepped forward and placed her hands on Melinda’s shoulders. Erik released her. Offending Azalea could fuck up his dealings with Peter. Just because they weren’t operating entirely within Old World rules, didn’t mean some didn’t still apply.

“I love this dress.” Azalea hooked her hand through Melinda’s elbow and led her away. “The room is this way. It’s not as noisy, but we’ll still be able to see the stage. Master Clintock is going to be showcased tonight.”

Melinda peeked over her shoulder at Erik who fell into step beside Peter.

“Congratulations on your marriage,” Peter fished as they passed several roped-off VIP seating.

“Thank you.” Erik didn’t need to get into the details of his relationship with Melinda. Peter knew what Erik’s uncle had done with his will and would infer whatever he wanted when it came to Melinda.

“I ordered a bottle of white wine, but if you’d prefer red, I can call down for another bottle,” Azalea was telling Melinda when they joined them in the private room.

The other VIP seating areas were only separated from one another by either a velvet rope or a curtain. This room was walled off from the others. There would be complete privacy.

“White is perfect, thank you.” Melinda smiled and took the glass of wine Azalea offered her. She leaned in to listen as the other woman pointed out the stage and began explaining the night’s events. Her attention was completely wrapped up in whatever Azalea was telling her, but Erik focused primarily on the ease of Melinda’s body. No tension, no fake giggles or forced civility; everything about her warmth and kindness came from a genuinely gracious heart.

“Maybe we shouldn’t have had the wives with us.” Peter laughed, bringing Erik’s attention back to their conversation. Erik had been caught up watching a glimmer of joy in Melinda’s expression and hadn’t heard a word Peter had been saying.

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