Page 112 of Powerful Deception

Arianna takes a second before she answers the question. “I just don’t want to embarrass you. You know, since I’m a lot younger than you, and since its only been a short amount of time since your wife passed. I’m sure people will start talking the second we walk in.”

Dropping her hand, I move it up to her face and cradle it so she can look up to me.

“You have nothing to be nervous about. People will not judge you, they will judge me. If they say anything to you, tell me and I’ll take care of it.”

Just like Helen Baker. If anyone says anything or even looks at her the wrong way, there will be hell to pay.

She gives me a nod, before closing the distance between us and kissing me. “Thank you.”

For the reminder of the ride, I kiss her. Mostly for good measure but also to relax her as best I can.

By the time that we are pulling up to the venue, Arianna is flushed, smiling and can’t stop giggling. Just the way I like her to be.

I open the door and hold out a hand for her to take. Once I have her hand cradled in my elbow, we are making our way inside.

“Okay, now I really do feel like a princess. Holy crap this place is beautiful.” She exclaims the second we walk into the ballroom.

The place is littered with elaborate flower arrangements that leave no inch untouched. Looks like a place that someone could get lost in if they wanted to. This one hundred percent was all Ella Vincent.

“I guess beautiful is one word for it.” I say, looking around and finding even more flowers.

Arianna marvels at the decor some more before I guide her over to the drinks station. If I’m going to be surrounded by flowers and an easily impressionable girlfriend, I’m going to need scotch.

With drinks in hand, we walk sound the ballroom, Arianna squalling at everything little thing. The silence from the car completely gone.

“We should throw a party and have decorations like this.” She’s literally shaking with excitement as she talk.

I shake my head before she can finish. “No.”

“Why not? It would be fun. Maybe we can do it for Alessandra’s birthday, since you didn’t let me throw one for Angel.”

“No and he didn’t need a party.” I take a drink, silently thanking Bennett for providing the expensive scotch and not going for the cheap shit.

“He was turning one. He needed a big celebration.” She narrows her eyes on me, the same way she did when we first had this discussion.

Angel’s birthday was in December and she still won’t let me forget that I didn’t give my son a first birthday party.

“He didn’t need a party that he would never remember.” I throw back at her.

“We would remember.” She says, fluttering her eyelashes at me.

I take a sip of my scotch. “Maybe for your birthday.”

“Really?” Her eyes brighten up and her smile grows.

I nod. “Maybe. We’ll see how you behave when we get closer to the day.”

“Oh, how I behave?” Arianna’s eyes not only light up with excitement but also with lust. Not only that but her grin has morphed into a full-on smirk. “I promise you, daddy, I’ll be a good girl. I’ll be a good girl whenever you want me to be.”

“Jesus fucking Christ.” I mutter into my glass. I walked into that one.

Arianna flutters her eyelashes and steps closer to me, her lips brushing my ear lobe.

“I can also be the naughtiest girl you want me to be.”

A growl forms in the back of my throat as I finish up my drink.

“You should really behave.” I say, taking her by the hip, letting her feel the hardness starting to form behind my slacks.

---