Page 128 of Strange Seduction
With a tired grin, I grabbed a fresh glass of champagne off a passing tray.
“Excuse me. I need air,” I said, already walking to the nearest exit.
I didn’t need air.I just needed five minutes away from women who made conversation feel like war.
The balcony was quiet, lit by soft gold lights and the moon overhead. I leaned against the stone railing and let myself breathe and indulge in silence. But a few seconds later, I felt him behind me.
“That wasn’t very nice, Sweetness.” I could feel the amusement in his tone.
I blew out hard. “Yeah?”
“Am I gonna have to apologize for your behavior again tonight?”
I faced him. “Depends. You messing around with Linda?”
“No,” he scoffed. “And I’m offended you even asked me that.”
“Well, she likes you.”
“I know.” His eyes stayed on me.
“You know?”
“She told me when we worked together. I terminated the contract immediately after.”
My shoulders relaxed. “Really?”
“Of course, really.” He cupped my face as he stepped closer. “I’m committed to you, Carmen. I ever shown you otherwise?”
I looked down at the whiskey he still nursed. “No.”
“Good,” he rubbed my cheek with his thumb. “Now relax, okay? I’m yours.”
I exhaled deeply and relaxed into his touch. “And I’m yours.”
“I know,” he said in a low voice. “You good?”
I nodded.
He slid his arms around me, pulling me into his chest anyway. “Do you need more time out here?”
I sighed, leaning into him. “No. I’m good.”
He kissed my shoulder. “I love you, okay?”
“I love you, too.” I leaned up and kissed him. Slow. Lingering. When I pulled back, I smirked. “I hope you know I expect a very long and intimate spa date after this.”
He grinned. “Baby, I already booked the reservation.”
“Theo!” Carter called out as we returned to the event space, his voice cutting through the ambient clinking of champagne flutes and low conversation. “You just missed Jack making a scene.”
Theo let out a quiet groan, rubbing the back of his neck as we slowed near the edge of the crowd.
“Goodnight, Carter,” I greeted when he got close to us.
“Carmen!” He said before giving me a small kiss on both cheeks. “You look stunning, darling. That dress suits you well.”
“Thank you!” I said,doing a spin. “Brunello Cucinelli.”
