Page 3 of Pursued By My Grumpy Fiancé
Landon grunts next to me and I stifle my laughter.
“Thanks, Eleanor. I can handle him for now, but if I ever need help, I’ll know who to call.” I wink at her and grin.
The rest of the ride went on with ease. Eleanor entertained me with tales of Landon as a child. I could feel him getting more and more embarrassed as time went on, but he never said a word against it.
Thelimopullsupin front of an enormous building. There are a ton of paparazzi standing outside and shouting names of people as they walk in. For the first time, I’m wondering where on earth this man has brought me.
Eleanor exits the car and cameras flash instantly. Landon pulls me in close as we exit the limo and up close, I map out the small details of his face, like the small scar crossing his eyebrow and the sweet dimple on his right cheek. I see the flash of a camera in the midst of my admiration and blink dazedly.
As we make our way inside the hotel, his hand stays on the small of my back, guiding me where we need to go. Once inside, that all changes. Landon grabs my arm and pulls me to the side, and the sudden change in balance almost makes me trip. I look at him with murder written on my face.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I snap at him.
“The press has exclusive rights to our event for the night. So, smile and look pretty for the camera. There may be a few of our business investors here. I will introduce you to them to make our relationship more believable. Go along with what I say and there shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll try to answer any questions that arise so you won’t embarrass us. Hopefully, we can get away with just being seen and not spoken to.”
“Are you going to tell me what to order too?” I ask with contempt.
“Oh, you can’t do that yourself?” he spits back, and I’m annoyed that someone as rich and handsome as him can also be full of quick-witted vitriol when the moment calls for it. The world really isn’t fair. I sigh and push his hand off me.
“Forget it,” I say as I walk toward the ballroom doorway.
“Wait!” Landon says, and for some stupid reason I think he’s going to apologize to me. “I’ll get the door for you.”
I roll my eyes, but let him get the door for me, since it’s probably part of his act for the cameras. He grips the door handle with one hand and holds the other out to me. I take it limply. He squeezes it then moves his arm around my waist.
“Let me know if I make you uncomfortable,” he whispers into my ear, giving my waist a small squeeze.
Shivers shoot down my spine and I take a small breath. His hand on my waist is by no means uncomfortable. As much as I’d love to tell him to stick it where the sun don’t shine, this is my job, and I’m a professional. I will treat him just like I treat every other client.
A gust of warm air brushes against my bare shoulders as we walk toward the lingering crowd on the balcony. From up here, the lights of the city twinkle all around us, only blocked on one side by the hotel towering above us. Tiny lanterns emitting a soft glow are strung up sporadically between stone pillars and the wall of the hotel. The scene is breathtaking, and for the first time tonight, I’m glad that I’m here. I spot Eleanor mingling with other women by one side of the balcony, their giggles loud enough to make the men standing behind them annoyed enough to shoot looks, but not enough to say anything. I shake my head and smile.
Landon links his arm in mine and starts walking me around, talking to various business partners. So much for being seen and not spoken to. He’s initiating a majority of the conversations here. Before I know it, half the night has passed by with me glued to Landon’s side, delicately laughing at pompous rich assholes and listening to business dealings. We make our way to a pair of men standing together, one much older than the other.
“He’s a very important investor of mine, so do your best not to embarrass me,” Landon whispers in my ear.
“Seriously? Have I embarrassed you at all tonight? Given the amount of time we’ve spent together, I bet we’ve made a perfect couple.” I spit back, annoyed.
Amusement dances in his eyes as we make our way to the pair in front of us. The older man looks to be well into his sixties. He fumbles with the flask in his hand as he laughs at what the younger man says. He eyes me as Landon shakes his hand.
“Well, who’s this gorgeous gal?” he asks, looking me up and down. I shiver in discomfort, which he must mistake for excitement because it seems to encourage him. He bares his unnaturally white teeth at me in a wide grin that contrasts with his pale golden complexion. His thinning white hair is gelled back in what I think is supposed to be a pompadour. I get the sense that he was once very attractive and hasn’t yet realized that his looks are fading.
“Albert, this is my girlfriend, Hailey,” Landon replies, with not even the slightest bit of hesitation. “Hailey, this is one of our most esteemed investors, Albert Forrester.”
I offer him my hand and Albert shakes it with enthusiasm. I smile demurely.
“Landon Gould has a girlfriend?” Albert’s eyebrows shoot up in shock, which seems to be a common theme for the evening.
You’d think the guy was a forty-year-old virgin the way people are acting. “Well, I never thought I would see the day. How did you two meet? A bar? Through a business partner? Don’t tell me a book club.”
I laugh as Landon clears his throat.
“Albert,” he says in a low voice, clearly getting uncomfortable over the fuss.
Albert laughs and pockets his flask.
“Alright, alright. I’ll stop. What would you like to drink, Hailey? I recommend something strong, since you have to put up with this guy all night.” He winks at me mischievously.
“Wine is fine,” I smile at him cooly.
