Page 93 of Cruel Fate

“Who is Stella Mayfair?”

Zarah and I push through the revolving doors and step into the lobby. I don’t hear Zane’s answer.

I never get the chance to find out what he says.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Zane

In the back of the limo, I move Stella up and down, her pussy clenching at my cock.

I need the release, the calm she gives me being near.

A ball of fire burns in my gut, and I listen to her moan, my orgasm building. My finger nudges her tender flesh where my cock fills her, and she’s so wet. I rub her clit, and she grinds in my lap, taking me all the way to the hilt. I want to stay in the limo and fuck her forever.

She captures my mouth with hers, and our tongues tangle. She comes, and cum gushes out of her and coats my skin. One good thrust as her muscles quiver around me, and I follow, pumping her up and down on my cock to milk every last second out of both our climaxes.

I instructed Douglas to drive around the block until I told him otherwise. Amused, his eyes twinkled, and I pretended not to notice.

She’s so beautiful, and she’ll have every man looking at her tonight. At first, I was disappointed she cut her hair, butshe came out of our bedroom dressed for the party and I admitted the haircut suited her. The shorter style brings out her cheekbones, and she looks sleek and elegant, wearing a black dress and black satin high heels.

Stella licks at my lips again and rests her head on my shoulder. I cuddle her closer and revel in the comfort she gives me. I wouldn’t be able to do this without her, and it scares me how much I need her.

“I love you,” I whisper in her ear. We’re still joined and I don’t want her to move, but if Douglas circles the block again, someone will notice and we can’t be late.

She presses her lips to my neck. “I love you, too.”

“Please don’t ever stop.”

“I promise.”

It doesn’t feel like enough, but it will have to be.

I lift her off my lap and pull out. My dick’s limp, but I never need long to recover—not when Stella’s around. I pass her a tissue, and she wipes off while I clean up and throw the condom away. She’s settled and reapplying her lip gloss when I lower the divider and tell Douglas we can proceed to the hotel.

The night has been well advertised in the newspapers and on every gossip website, and the Lyndhurst laid out a literal red carpet. I don’t know if Zarah had anything to do with that or if the hotel’s manager took it upon himself, but it’s a nice touch and the guests love posing for the wave of paparazzi.

Douglas parks, and as he climbs out to open our door, Stella squeezes my hand. “You’ll do great.”

I kiss the back of hers, an old-fashioned gesture that stains her cheeks. She’s so fucking adorable, and she’s all mine. “Thanks.”

We step out of the limo to shouts and camera flashes. We smile, and I’m happy to see Stella isn’t rattled like she was thenight in front of Temptations. She’s come a long way in the two weeks since I met her, fitting into my life with little difficulty.

I kiss her temple, and the press and paparazzi swoon. She beams at me, and I know that will be the shot on the front page of every newspaper and gossip site in the country. Happiness and love sparkle in her eyes—and she’s looking at me. There’s no way anyone would see that photo and not know how much she loves me, or how much I love her, too.

I don’t waste my breath answering the questions the sleazy reporters from the tabloids shout at us, and I blatantly ignore one slimeball whose byline regularly appears on theTruth or Darewebsite. Zarah invited a small, curated selection of respectable journalists to attend the party, and they’ll ask more pertinent questions. Real questions about the company and the direction I want to go. I’ll answer them as an adult, as a man stepping up to the helm of a multi-billion dollar legacy. After pausing for a few more moments allowing the paparazzi time to take the shots they want, I usher Stella into the hotel’s lobby. She didn’t wear a jacket, and she’s shivering.

Many of my father’s and mother’s friends and business associates greet me, and Stella stays by my side through it all. At one point, Zarah steals her away to introduce her to friends and acquaintances, and I head to the bar to breathe and grab a much-needed drink. I knew it would be like this, but I forgot how ruthless and demanding people can be when they think they deserve even a second of my time.

The scotch goes down smooth, and I ask for another. Someone comes up behind me and I stiffen, but it’s Nigel Wagner and I shake his hand in gratitude. “Nigel.”

“Hey, kid. Pretty fancy shit you got going on.”

“This is Zarah’s thing.”

“And a good idea. No one’s saying it’s not. Free food, free booze. The red carpet out front is a nice touch. Your girl is a reallooker,” he says, nodding toward Stella. She’s standing across the room next to Zarah holding a champagne flute and talking to a group of women. Someone just told a joke, and they burst into laughter.

“Yeah, she is.”

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