Page 78 of BillionHeir
The hair stylist left about an hour ago and the makeup artist has been gone about twenty minutes now. I don’t know what she has been doing in the bathroom by herself for so long, but whatever it was, it was clearly worth it.
She is absolutely stunning in the sparkling gold floor length dress from the store. Her hair is up off her neck and thespaghetti straps highlight her slender shoulders beautifully. Her makeup isn’t too heavy but mindfully accentuates her natural beauty to make her look absolutely radiant. I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful woman in my life.
Chloe’s cheeks are tinted pink with embarrassment as she looks down at herself. “What do you think?”
“You look . . .” I trail off as words momentarily fail me. “Better than I ever could have imagined. I am honored to be your date tonight.”
She gives me a shy look before smiling.
“Thank you for all of this, by the way,” she says, gesturing to herself. “I have never been so pampered.”
“You deserve it,” I respond as I step closer to her. She meets me in the middle and my hands find her waist. “You look so incredible that I am afraid to kiss you and mess it up.”
Rather than give me permission, she leans in and kisses me first. I keep my hands securely on her waist, resisting the urge to run my fingers through her hair, undoing all the work the stylist has done.
I expect the kiss to be sweet and innocent, a polite thank you for setting up today. But that is not what this is. Chloe deepens the kiss, putting her hand behind my head and pulling me closer to her. I go willingly, pressing myself against her so that she can feel the evidence of my arousal as my tongue brushes against hers.
Eventually, I am the one who stops the kiss as I clear my throat and step away regretfully, trying to get my hard-on under control.
“I am not stopping out of choice, but necessity. If that had gone on much longer, I might have thrown you down on this bed and forgotten all about the rest of tonight.”
“I don’t see a problem with that,” Chloe says with a saucy smirk.
“You are naughty,” I respond with mock disapproval.
“Oh, Max,” she says with a sinful laugh. “You haven’t seen anything yet.” With that, she turns sharply on her six-inch heels and walks out of the bedroom.
I groan and follow her out, trying not to stare at her ass. It is clear that my erection is going to be an ever-present issue tonight.
* * *
“You didn’t tell me that the event was going to be at Buckingham Palace!” Chloe says, her voice shrill.
“I suppose this would be a bad time to tell you that there is also going to be a red carpet with photographers. It is standard for this kind of thing. The King likes to flaunt all of his rich and well-connected friends.”
“Photographers? Maxwell, seriously!”
I pick up her hand and kiss the back of it. “You will do just fine.”
Our classic Rolls-Royce proceeds through the line of cars until it is our turn to get out. When my door opens, there is a man dressed in a tuxedo waiting to help me get out. I step out without taking his proffered hand to flashes of cameras directed at me.
Instead of posing for their photo op, I turn back and offer my own hand to Chloe. She doesn’t need another man to help her, even if he is being paid to do it.
Chloe steps out in all her glittery gold glory, her dress and her smile lighting up the night. The flashing of all the cameras accentuates her beauty as it reflects off her dress, stealing my breath for the second time tonight.
She seems a little nervous as she steps out of the car, but when her eyes meet mine, I can see her anxiety fade away. The shyness she usually reserves just for me makes her eyes sparkle.
The photographers go crazy, shouting my name, all of them volleying for my attention.
“Mr. Banks! Who is your date?” One of them shouts, somehow their voice cutting through the uproar our appearance has caused.
“This,” I say, pulling Chloe closer to me as I wait for the crowd to quiet. “Is my girlfriend, Chloe Shepard.”
I hear her surprised gasp of breath, but when I look down at her, there is no sign of shock, only a dazzling smile that the cameramen seem to eat up.
I can’t say that I blame them.
We proceed through the crowd and into the castle, but with so much commotion, there is no time to talk about what I just said. When we walk into the ballroom, I am about to lead her to the bar where we can talk over a drink, but before I can, we are interrupted.
