Page 46 of Love Me

After tying mine, I hold out my arm like a gentleman and guide us inside. We step through the grand doors of the ballroom, and it’s like we’ve walked into another world outside of our tiny town. The air smells rich and stuffy—nothing like the fresh air, aged whiskey, charred sugar, and oak that I’m used to. Strong perfume lingers in the air and assaults my nose, but Hannah seems either unbothered or unaffected.

The room is bathed in a warm golden light that makeseverything glow softly, crystal chandeliers hanging above making it truly feel like we’ve stepped into a time machine. The whole space sparkles and shines, and a rush goes through me that I get to give Hannah this extravagant experience.

The event is already in full swing, hundreds of attendees dressed to the nines, wearing sleek tuxedos and flowing gowns, some variation of masks hiding parts of their faces. Hannah squeezes my arm, pulling me closer to her. I lean in, dropping a quick kiss to the top of her head and squeezing her back in comfort.

I lead us to the bar, knowing a drink will help calm her nerves and take the edge off for both of us. While tonight is about representing my family and the distillery, it’s also about connecting and being alone with her, and I want to make the best of it.

“Champagne, and a whiskey on the rocks,” I tell the bartender as he greets us.

“Aspen Ridge?”

I smile at the bartender, having forgotten that our whiskey and bourbon were being served as the featured brand tonight. “Only the best,” I answer him and find Hannah smiling up at me, her focus homed in on my face.

“What?” I ask her, leaning down to whisper in her ear so she can hear me over the classical music floating through the air from the string quartet playing.

“In all the years we’ve known each other, this is the first time I’ve seen your whiskey served in a place that wasn’t in Aspen Ridge.”

“His?” the bartender interrupts.

Hannah turns to face him, and I don’t miss the way his eyes drop to her cleavage. Hannah must hear the growl that works its way up my throat, because she drops her hand to my chest and leans into me, pressing her little body flushagainst my side. It makes me feel like the most important man here.

“Yes, his. He made it. This is Aspen Ridge’s master distiller, my fiancé, Liam.”

If I died right now, hearing Hannah say those words would be enough to let me go in peace.

“Well, shit! It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Hayes.” He reaches out to shake my hand and I reluctantly accept it, squeezing much harder than I normally would.

“Mr. Hayes is my father, Liam is good. Thanks for the drinks.” I turn to face Hannah, giving her my full attention and brushing off the bartender who had the audacity to check her out when she’s clearly with me. “Are you ready to find our table, baby?”

She looks up at me like I hung the fucking moon, a smile spreading across her entire face as she agrees. Hand in hand, we walk through the throngs of people, greeting the few that I know from networking, and find our table near the front, closest to the stage, Carter already sitting with a drink in his hand.

“Hey, hey, Casanova!” Hannah greets him.

“Hey, you two. Looking fine as hell! Damn, Han! Shit, mama! You sure you want this Hayes brother?”

I smack the shit out of the back of his head, not giving a single fuck if we’re at a classy event. Fucking idiot.

“Down, boy. I’m a taken woman,” Hannah purrs, snuggling back into my chest. I don’t know what switch went off when we walked in here, but it’s fucking with my head. Is she acting or is she finally seeing me?

We sit with Carter at the table, drinking and catching up on everything going on with our family. Sunday dinners are still on perma-hold while my mom helps take care of the personal things our brother Dallas is currently going through with Blaire. Even though we are all in fairly constant contact witheach other, it’s still a shake-up to our normal weekly schedule, and dinners on Sundays have been a mandatory part of that for as long as I can remember. Even Charlotte has been asking when we’re going over again.

When the governor takes the stage to thank everyone for coming and singles out the large businesses that continually give back to Washington and our community—Aspen Ridge Distillery being one—Carter and I stand to accept the applause. Before I sit back down, I don’t miss the look of pride that gleams on Hannah’s face. I know she’s proud of the hard work I’ve put in, but it feels good to see it. From a very young age, I knew I wanted to be a master distiller like my grandfather, and I worked hard to get to this point. Being trusted to be one of the lead developers of our distillery is monumental. The weight is a heavy one, but the reward is so worth it.

When Sawyer took over the CEO position from our father after his stroke, I was worried he would change things up, keep me as an apprentice under Graham, but he and Dallas have been nothing but supportive.

The party starts to pick up now that the formalities of the evening have passed, and people take to the dance floor. Wanting nothing more than to hold Hannah in my arms, I stand, buttoning my jacket and holding out my hand in front of her.

“Dance with me, beauty?”

Taking my hand, she follows me to the dance floor, her heels clinking on the glossy surface, her long dress flowing down her frame in a gorgeous wave. Spinning her delicately to face me, I pull her in close, my hand finding its home at the base of her exposed spine, holding her little hand at my chest with my other one. After her confession about being touch starved, I’ve been trying to give her everything she needs. Ithasn’t been difficult to reach for her, to hug her, and hold her close to me, when that’s all I want as well—her touch.

“Are you having fun?” I whisper in her ear.

“I really am. I’ve never dressed up like this before. It’s like you’re giving me my prom.”

“Still pissed that you missed that.”

“It is what it is. Focusing on the future. Thank you for bringing me here, bear.”

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