Page 181 of Savage Suit
“That’s beautiful,” I said, so mesmerized by him it felt as if a spell had been cast over me. The depth of my feelings left me breathless and a little afraid. Life’s roulette dealt too many blows. As much as I tried to live in the moment, I had forgotten how.
Noah was a force of nature, and I feared his dominance sweeping me away and consuming me. And I didn’t want to lose myself in the opulence of his lifestyle. Self-reliance meant security. Love rarely lasted. Sometimes, it died bit-by-bit, in slow, painful degrees. I’d seen it with my parents. Other times, it burned away as quickly as it had flared.
“I want children,” I blurted.
“Excuse me?”
Damn. “That didn’t come out right. I just…we haven’t talked about any of that and…it doesn’t matter right now. Forget I said anything.”
Taking my face between his hands, he tipped my head up and kissed me. “A party isn’t a place to talk about kids,” he said when we came up for air. “Tell me what’s really on your mind.”
“I don’t—”
He silenced me with another kiss. “Why are you upset?”
I thought for a moment and remembered the look he’d given me. “What aren’t you telling me?”
“What do you mean?” he asked slowly.
Later, I’d regret not picking up on his note of panic.
“When you were talking to Alessia, something about the way you looked at me,” I admitted. “God,” I groaned. “I sound pathetic. Forget that, too.”
“You’re never pathetic, Ryan,” he said, sincerity ringing in the words. “I might have to leave soon for a business trip. That’s what the earlier call was about.”
“Okay. If you leave, how long will you be gone?”
“I hope no more than three days, sweetheart.”
Foreboding bloomed in me, and I shivered.
He mistook it, thinking I was cold and moving to take off his cape. I held up my hand and shook my head. “Covering with your cape would hide my costume.”
“That’s the point.”
“And here I thought you were concerned.”
He grinned. “I am. It just so happens you wearing my cape has an added benefit.”
I rolled my eyes. “I’d love another glass of champagne.”
Lifting my hand to his lips, he kissed the back of it, before taking it into his and guiding me inside. The warmth of his hand enveloping mine melted away the bad feeling, allowing me to breathe easy again.
Once we secured more champagne, we found a hallway not as crowded as other areas. Loveseats and tables lined two walls, offering plenty seats away from the blasting music and loud conversation.
We sat on a loveseat and exchanged gazes, staring at each like no one else existed. We sipped champagne, wrapped up in each other. When we finished our drinks, we set our glasses on a nearby table.
“Is there a reason we’re hiding in a hallway instead of mingling with other guests? Or better yet, your family?”
Noah leaned back and wrapped an arm around my shoulder, pulling me close to him. “I wouldn’t call this hiding. Just escaping the noise.”
I rolled my eyes but relaxed against him. “That doesn’t answer my question.”
“My family and I aren’t the closest, and I don’t know half the guests here. I’d prefer to skip these events, but if I did, the press would speculate about a family feud. It’s easier to show up and hide, as you put it, than deal with rumors and my siblings’ bullshit.”
“That’s dumb. Not what you said,” I clarified at his frown. “Being forced to attend events to uphold an image is awful. You’re the CEO of a billion-dollar company. It’s a reasonable assumption that you won’t always have time for parties.”
“Logically, you’re right. It just doesn’t make for a good headline. Besides, that’s the life of a Keegan. Especially this particular Keegan.” He pointed to himself.
