Page 20 of Daddy's Billionaire Broker

GRACE

Although it made sense logistically for me to ride to the party with my parents, I knew it was going to be awkward.

I sat quietly in the back while Mom chatted about everything under the sun. She absolutely loved parties, but only for about an hour. She claimed that she got tired easily, but I overheard her once on the phone with a friend saying that it was only worth making an appearance at the beginning of the party before people started drinking. She wanted to be seen, but not get dragged into any long, drunken conversations.

For once I was glad for her chatter, since it prevented Dad from speaking for a while. Then a few blocks from the event hall, his eyes locked with mine in the rearview mirror.

"Tonight isn't just Dan's retirement party," he said. "It's Jack's 40th birthday party. Did you know that?"

"No, I didn't," I said, as casually as possible. "That's nice, though."

He shot me a strange look. "You don't think it's a bit odd that a forty-year-old man has such an interest in a girl who's only twenty-one?"

"People can be interested in whomever they like," I said. "I'm an adult. He's an adult. It's nobody's business but ours if we spend time together."

Take that, Dad.

We arrived before he could say anything else, and I hurried us into the venue, hoping that it would keep Dad busy greeting people.

Looking around the room, Jack was beside the stage, looking unbelievably handsome in a sharp black suit. He was surrounded by colleagues, many of them older men. They were hanging on his every word, as if he was the voice of authority.

After studying him for a few moments, I realized that I was proud of him. He was definitely the most important person here, the one that the others admired. I didn't know how much I believed in the concept of every company having a few alphas, but if it was true, then my man was the man.

I wasn't going to interrupt him, so I headed to the bar for an iced tea, and did a slow half circle of the back of the room, desperately trying to look like I belonged there.

It seemed like the speeches weren't starting for a while, so I found a table a bit out of the way and took a seat.

Almost instantly a server appeared with a bowl and a few napkins. "Apparently a party is only worth attending if there is cheese popcorn," he said with a polite smile before disappearing.

Never in my life would I have thought that my favorite snack would turn out to be so unbelievably romantic.

I glanced over to see Jack at the front of the room, staring right at me. He held up his fingers to signal "two", then pointed toward the hallway.

I nibbled on the popcorn for about two minutes, then casually walked toward the hall.

Seconds later, Jack smoothly took my arm, walking me straight down to the end and around a corner to what was probably an employee-only area.

"You're breathtaking in that dress," he said, pinning me against the wall as his lips trailed along my throat. "I almost want you to leave so that my colleagues can't ogle you and see how hot you are."

"You're looking pretty good too," I said, tracing a finger along his jawline. "Do you get nervous before giving speeches?"

"Not anymore. Maybe a bit in the beginning, but I've had to speak in front of so many kinds of people that I'm used to it now." He kissed lightly along my temple. "Of course, I might completely lose my place, if I look up and see you."

"Shall I hide in the kitchen then?" I giggled.

"Don't you dare. As much as I don't want anyone looking at you, I want everyone to see my gorgeous new girlfriend."

A tiny choked noise fell from my mouth.

"It's the truth, and you know it, gorgeous," he said smoothly. "I'm sorry, I have to get back, but I'll see you after, right?"

"You know it."

He gave me a tiny kiss, then wiped his mouth on the back of his hand dramatically. "Damned lipstick. Worth it, though."

I used the excuse to run my thumb along his bottom lip. "You're good."

He took my arm and walked me back out to the party, as several heads snapped in our direction. "See you soon," Jack said, flashing me a wink before returning to the front of the room.

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