Page 40 of Leather & Lace

“You look even better than I had imagined in that tux,” She coos as she runs her black leather gloves up and down my lapel. “Just so handsome.” Lifting her mask, she leans in with her fire-red lips and presses them to my cool mask. A smile tugs at the corners of her mouth.

“This...I really,reallylike,” she says, tapping my mask with her red manicured nail and placing her mask back over her face. I see she is wearing the diamond bracelet I got her as well. My heart is so full right now. I watch as she puts on a dainty pair of black leather gloves.

“You know, the car won’t be here for another ten minutes, I am sure we could have a bit of fun before then.” I grab her waist with my hand and pull her close to me, letting my large erect bulge press against her stomach.

“As exciting and as tempting as that sounds, I do not want to mess up my hair and I am sorry, but this dress does not make for easy access. You can thank Versace for that.” She tries to lift her dress, but the fabric does not move. “It’s literally stuck to my skin. Took Jenny and I twenty minutes to get this gorgeous fucker on.” Laughing, she takes my hand in hers.

“Okay fine, but when we get home, I can’t guarantee that dress will be in one piece.” Her eyes widened at my threat.

“Eli, this dress was over five thousand dollars. If you rip it with those perfect teeth, Iwillkill you!” She hits me on my shoulder. Did she just say five grand? Oh lord, I just hold my tongue and walk her up to the front door where I see the white Rolls Royce has arrived and is waiting.

“Your chariot awaits, my lady.” I usher her into the car. Once we are sitting in the plush, heated marshmallow seats, I pull out a single red rose from behind my back as I grab two crystal flute champagne glasses from the bucket inside.

“A rose, for a rose.” Her eyes light up at the crimson perfect flower. I watch as she lets the bud sit under her nose and inhales deeply.

“Oh Eli, this is divine. My favorite flower as well.” I can see her eyes crinkling, which leads me to know she has a smile under that mask. The car heads off towards the city as we both raise our masks and sip our champagne. We reached the prestigious hotel after about a thirty-five-minute drive.

There are paparazzi posted outside where the red carpet awaits. Pulling up to the entrance, the driver opened our doors as we both stepped out into a sea of flashing lights.

“Eli! Over here! Eli! One smile, please!” A photographer says from the side, then another one, “Eli! Who is your date! Eli, please just take one photo!” They gather around like vultures to their prey.

Security is having to push us through to the main entrance. Before we head inside, I turn and face the horde of photographers and place my hand around Brook’s waist, pulling her close to me.

“Smile, baby girl,” Is all I muster out as a thousand flashes blur our vison in seconds.

“Eli, this is insane!” I hear her shout over the yelling paparazzi, a small giggle leaving her lips. I can feel her tighten around my grip. Then, she starts to let loose. I turn her and head into the large entrance way that is covered in a golden hue. The dark marble floors reflect the bits of amber and bronze off the stone’s surface. There is a massive crystal chandelier hanging in the center of the lobby.

People gather in groups, lining the hallways, dressed in their expensive suits and formal wear. Masks are on every face. Waiters wind through the crowds with Dom Perignon champagne and caviar on small little herb crackers.

This is the epitome of wealth and status. The governor is here with his slender, red-headed wife as I see them making their way towards us. Governor John Mullen is a total piece of shit. He is a fat bastard who goes out on his wife almost nightly. This is the problem with men in the political game.

They truly believe they own everyone and everything. The inferiority complex on this douche is a mile long.

“Eli!” he says as he sauntered over to us, his blue eyes already hazed over from the alcohol. “You made it!” He gives me a hard smack on the shoulder. It makes me grit my teeth. His eyes leave mine as he notices my hand around Brook’s waist.

“Aww, and who is this beauty?” I hear his wife let out a low scoff as she rolls her eyes, then sips her champagne. I catch her eyes drifting to me, looking me up and down. I can tell she wants me.

“This is Brooklyn Winters,” I say as I pull her closer to me. His gaze is falling hard on her chest now. “So great that I get to finally introduce her to you. She's my girlfriend.” I can feel her eyes shoot over to mine. Okay, so maybe I hadn’t asked her yet to fully be mine, but I am sure she pretty much got the hint with all the sucking up I have been doing lately.

“Your girlfriend, huh? Man, I haven’t had one of those in a while!” He lets out a thunderous laugh. His wife just stands quietly behind him, focusing on something on the wall to her left, sipping her champagne and grabbing another one from a passing waiter’s tray. I am sure she is probably just tuning him out at this point.

“Yes, I am his girlfriend,” I hear Brook say in a teasing tone. “Soon to be his fiancée.” I almost choke on the sip of champagne that has now traveled up my nose. He glares in surprise down at her again.

“Is that right?” His eyes are showing more interest now.

“Oh yeah, our baby should be on its way soon!” I choked again on another swig of my drink, letting out a low laugh.

“Oh, this one is a big joker,” I say as I pinch her side hard. I can feel her wince under my touch. I smile down at her as she playfully raises a brow at me.

“Well, now! That would definitely be a shock. Not sure if it would be a good one!” He laughs again and then hits his wife on the back, which causes her to lose a little balance. She smiles a straight line and then rolls her eyes again. She couldn’t give two shits about any of this right now.

Hell, I bet she loves that she doesn’t have to fuck this guy anymore. I watch him raise his hand at another person as he motions and then says goodbye to us. His frail wife trails behind him.

“Fiancée huh, pregnant? I would hope you would definitely let me know if that was the case, before the governor finds out at the same time,” I say as I tilt her chin up to meet mine.

“Oh, well I thought it was a fun game we were playing, since you claimed me as your girlfriend and all. I don’t believe I remember you asking me that… Yet?” Her eyes tease and question.

“So, will you?” I whispered down into her ear. I can feel her skin underneath my fingertips start to pebble over.