Page 34 of I Choose You
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The ballroom where the dinner was held was massive. There had to be over three hundred people here, and it wasn’t even the wedding day. Soft orange and cream colors decorated the hall. It was classy but boring. I wondered how Claire would have decorated the space. She had a better eye for design than anyone, me included.
The bride and groom were making their way around the room as people filed in. They seemed happy. A part of me wondered if they were happy about getting married or just that the attention was focused solely on them for the three-day wedding event.
When the lovely couple got to us, Claire took the lead. She leaned in, kissing the bride’s cheek, and gave the groom a quick, polite hug. Claire introduced me to Madison and Neil, and I offered them each a handshake and congratulations. Madison’s eyes slowly raked over me. I shifted uncomfortably and placed my arm around Claire’s waist. The fact that I had to signal my unavailability to a woman the day before her wedding seemed problematic, but that was her soon-to-be husband’s problem, not mine.
Claire’s parents appeared on the other side of her, offering their congratulations to the couple and making small talk. Claire’s father, Thomas, and Neil were discussing the latest political gossip from Washington. They had created a small circle, including me in it but effectively cutting off the women. I tuned them out to listen in to the ladies’ conversation.
“Darling, you’ve made your point. Flaunt your little date around the room. It’ll spur Will into action, finally.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say he was little,” Madison giggled. I could feel their eyes on me as they whispered behind my back.
“Have you seen Will yet tonight? He looks so dashing in his suit. It looked like his Armani one, but who knows. He has so many.”
“A good tailor can do great things for a man. Did no one mention that to your date?”
Melanie DeLuca and Madison continued on about how important well-made suits were, how they showed a man’strue potential. Like standing around while some dude slid his hand up my leg and probably tried to cup my balls dictated my worth.
Claire was mostly silent during the exchange, throwing out small comments about how other qualities were more important than if a man could afford a tailor-made suit. “I’d rather have a well-made man than a well-made suit, but that’s just me.”
Her sweet voice and soft smile may have fooled her mother and the bride, but all I saw was boredom. I caught her eye and shot her a quick wink, showing her that we were in this together.
The bride and groom eventually wandered off to continue making their rounds. Thomas turned his attention to his daughter, commenting on her outfit.
“Claire, do you really think that dress is appropriate, given the circumstances?”
Claire ran her fingers over the fabric of the skirt and looked around the room. She was by far the most beautiful woman in the room, but in terms of attire, she fit in with what others were wearing. I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from jumping down the guy’s throat. In the six hours or so I had been around these people, this was the first time I’d heard her father speak directly to her. And that’s what he chose to go with?
“What circumstances? It’s in line with what some of the other ladies are wearing.”
My hand found her lower back, and I stepped up beside her, using my full height and breadth to protect her if needed, but Claire shot me a look that said to back down, so I did.
Thomas sighed and swirled his bourbon. “This event is going to have a tremendous amount of publicity. We need to showcase our all-American family image in the best light. The last thing I need during a campaign season is for the press to print something regarding your… display,” he ended with his hand flicking toward Claire’s chest. “It isn’t like they can comment on your illustrative career and successful relationship. Just be grateful I’ve been able to keep this misunderstanding with Will out of the press.”
I hadn’t even realized that Melanie had walked away until she stalked back to our group, her hand in the crook of a tidy, arrogant man’s arm.
“Thomas.” He reached out and gave Claire’s father a hearty handshake. “Claire, that dress is beautiful on you.” He leaned in and gave her a kiss a little too close to the lips that had Claire jerking her head to the side. He turned to me, a smarmy smile on his face. “Will Tennison,” he introduced himself, his handshake tighter than necessary. Was that a joke? I tightened my grip right back while I stared him down. His nostrils flared as he tried to stop from flinching. He dropped his hold and shoved his hand in his pocket. Good.
“Oh, Claire, do you not have a drink yet? Will, take Claire to the bar, will you?” Melanie asked, sweetness dripping from her lips.
“I’m fine, really.” Claire’s smile hadn’t slipped once, but the strain was becoming more and more apparent.
“No, let Will get you something to drink. You two take off. Talk a bit.”
“Come, Claire. It will give us a chance to talk things out like adults,” Will said.
Was she really trying to set them up while Claire was here with someone else? Her parents were both doing theirdamnedest to pretend I didn’t exist all night. But Claire clearly didn’t want to go anywhere with her ex-boyfriend, and I was over their pompous attitude.
Melanie was physically pushing Claire toward Will. I saw the look of helplessness on her face, and I snapped. I grabbed Claire by the waist, spinning her toward me until we were chest to chest. Tucking a strand of silky blonde hair behind her ear, I let my fingers trail over her jaw before I lifted her chin to meet her eyes. She sucked in a breath, surprise and heat written all over her face. I captured her soft lips in mine.
The room faded around me. All my thoughts focused on Claire, the feel of her lips, the rush of her breath. I slanted my head, deepening the kiss. Claire’s tongue tangled with mine, the soft warmth of her mouth inviting me in. A growl rumbled through my chest. I pulled Claire even closer, my arm tightening around her body. She ran her thumb over the lobe of my ear, tracing a line from behind my ear into my hair.
Claire pulled back slowly. I felt dizzy at the loss of her, which made sense, considering exactly zero blood was flowing into my brain. I loosened my hold on her, but I didn’t let her go. She stared into my eyes, looking for something. I didn’t know if she found what she was looking for or not, but she stepped back further. Dropping my arm, I could see the moment she remembered where we were and with whom.
Her head turned slowly, like she was hoping that her audience had left us alone while we were distracted. I wished they had. I wished we really were alone, with no audience or distractions. My mind was singularly focused right now, and it wasn’t on this pretentious fucking wedding.
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