Page 13 of The Rich One

Tyler looks fucking hot as sin in his black Tom Ford tuxedo.

“I am. Just about to put this piece of art on. Thank you, by the way. It’s beautiful.”

He walks over to me and holds his hand out to help me stand, gently turning me so my back is to him as I pass him the necklace.

“It’s nowhere near as beautiful as the woman wearing it tonight.” The words are whispered into my ear as he slowly puts the necklace around my neck, taking his time to stroke his fingers over my skin as he moves my hair aside and closes the clasp.

It sends tingles throughout my body, but the sweetness of it all is almost too much to handle.

I’m spared replying as Business Tyler takes over again. “Come on then, we can’t be late. I need to be the first one there to greet everyone as they arrive.”

Nodding, I grab my small silver bag and slip on my silver Louboutins. I swear, they have a shoe for every occasion. We leave the room arm in arm and head to the lobby, where we’re shown out to the gardens. A giant canopy and the sides of the winding path are both covered in sparkling fairy lights. My breath catches as Tyler leads the way. At the entrance, we’re greeted with champagne from a server, one arm outstretched in a gesture for us to enter the glamorous outdoor tent.

The entire setting is bathed in elegance. A crystal chandelier hangs from the slightly pointed center, and round tables surround a temporary dance floor for after-dinner dancing. I glance at the movement to our right and realize they’ve planned for a live band—the three men and one woman quietly setting up as we make our way across the empty space.

I’m obviously too busy taking it all in as I feel Tyler tense beside me. It draws me back to the present and I notice someone I was really hoping to avoid for a little longer. The ex-wife.

“What the fuck is she even doing here?” Tyler mumbles so only I can hear. He wanted to be the first to arrive. This wasn’t part of his plan, and the bitch knew it. She knows what he likes, she was with him long enough to know he has rituals. He likes to check the place out and make sure it’s how he wants it before his guests start arriving, so he can greet them properly as they do.

This is going to throw off his whole night. So much for a non sex-filled weekend. Tyler is going to need to get this out of his system later. Not that I’m complaining. After all, I’m not opposed to having orgasms.

His grip tightens on my hip as his entire body trembles with pent up anger. Throwing my shoulders back, I turn to face him—one palm on his cheek, my voice low and steady.

“Look at me.” It takes a second, but his eyes meet my gaze, the control he so desperately craves slipping slightly. “You are not her little bitch. Do you hear me? You do not react to her tantrums and when we get back to the hotel, I’ll let you fuck my ass.”

My words crease the corners of his eyes, the stress alleviating slightly. I guess the idea of sinking his cock into my ass makes him feel more in control.

I turn back to stand beside Tyler, ever the doting girlfriend, presenting ourselves as one unit. It’s then that Brett and Cora notice we’ve arrived and approach us, traitorous smiles plastered on their faces.

“He’s just as bad.” He speaks quietly through gritted teeth, just before gracing them both with his well-rehearsed business smile. “Brett, Cora, I see you’re both here already. Our guests will be arriving soon. Did you check to see if everything was to your liking?” He’s asking out of politeness, but he’s still going to check it all out himself. There’s no way he leaves the finer details to anyone else, especially not this pair of dicks.

To be honest, I’m impressed with how he’s handling this. In his shoes, I would have already acted out my most lethal revenge.

“All a-okay, bro.”

Tyler’s hand flinches when Brett calls him bro. From what I’ve gathered, they grew up together and have always been really close. I don’t know what happened for Brett to sleep with his best friend and business partner’s wife, but that shit is definitely not brotherly.

“Come on, we’ll leave the women to go powder their noses. I’ll show you some of the changes I’ve made.” Brett stands, and Tyler bristles. I squeeze his hand and rub some slow circles into his palm, subtly letting him know he’s got this.

“You good with that, Rose?” If I was one of his clients, he wouldn’t be asking me that. He’d just agree and go on ahead.

I can handle myself well in most situations—it’s a practiced art—so it’s all part of the package. Asking for my permission now has nothing to do with my feelings and everything to do with the uncomfortable situation that is Cora fucking Walker. No one can know who I am and what I do which, for anyone else, being alone with his ex-wife could be a complication. After all, she knows him best.

Or so she thinks.

Long-term jobs like this one demand hardcore homework for us both. I have a cover story for them to learn and I must know everything about their habits, their lives, their personal situations.

Let’s just say, I’m damn good at my job.

Turning to face him, I run a hand down his cheek, sliding the other up his arm to rest behind his head. “You know I am, handsome.”

Relief washes over his face as I pull his head to mine, capturing his lips in a passionate, all-consuming kiss. His arms wrap around me, resting just above my ass as I hear a nasally mumble from behind me, followed by a low “shh.” Ignoring them, I continue nipping at Tyler’s bottom lip, before gently sucking on his tongue and pulling away.

“Thank you.” Tyler winks and kisses the top of my head, before patting my ass and walking over with Brett to the nervous looking Hotel manager standing by the bar area.

Taking a deep breath, I steel myself for what I know is going to be an onslaught of pure bitch, before plastering on my own fake smile and taking a seat beside the ex.

“I’m sure that wasn’t necessary.” Her sneer actually makes me laugh a little inside. I love that she’s this jealous, as that was exactly my intention.

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