I touched his cheek with affection. “So are you, bello.”
He kissed me, warm and sweet, smiling against my lips.
“These are for you,” he whispered, handing me my roses.
“Thank you.” If he kept at this pace, my entire apartment would be filled with roses and no place to walk. Not that I would ever complain. “I love them.”
He guided me closer. “Ready to go? We have an audience.”
I peeked over my shoulder and, true to his words, four curious heads—Anna, Layla, Michael, and Luna—were spying on us through the window. The second I caught their stares, they scampered behind the curtains with sheepish laughter.
“Yes, I am. Whisk me away, Hunter.”
Hunter
The fundraising gala was held at a pristine hotel in the heart of downtown Montardor, the inside already droning with a panoply of suits and gowns.
After handing over my keys to the valet, a doorman held open the door for us and I escorted Gabriela inside, my hand skimming down her back until it rested at the small of it. My possessive gesture didn’t go unheeded by my date. I wanted everyone within a ten-foot radius to know she belonged to me. Just as I belonged to her.
Gabriela didn’t mind my caveman tactics. The playful wink, coupled with her small smirk, was proof enough. She liked my territorial side as much as I liked hers.
Upon entering, a number of people greeted us.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted Morgan Huxley and Tom Prescott. The former glared at Gabriela. I gritted my teeth. My girlfriend, thankfully, remained unbothered. My teammate, finally noticing his date’s improper behaviour, turned his head in our direction with confusion to inspect what had her undivided attention. Tom’s family, similar to mine, also rubbed shoulders with the affluent individuals present here tonight. Therefore, I often saw him at events like these. But we seldom conversed off the field and I wasn’t about to engage in small talk now. Tom smiled at me and I gave him a nod of acknowledgement, albeit glacé in nature, and turned to Gabriela.
“What would you like to drink?” I asked.
“Champagne, please.”
My nostrils flared at her teasing expression. Indubitably, I would never forget how much my girl enjoyed champagne.
I snagged a flute from a waiter walking around the foyer and handed it to her with a kiss on the cheek. “How does it feel?”
“How does what feel?” she returned, daintily sipping her drink.
I curved a finger around the shell of her ear, pausing to touch the long diamond earring adorning her lobe. “To once again be the most beautiful woman in the room.”
The grin that broke over her face reminded me of the first rays of light touching the dark sky when the sun broke over the horizon. “I’ll never get tired of hearing you call me beautiful.”
“Good. I’ll never get tired of saying it.” I kissed her bare shoulder. “Let’s go find our seats, hm?”
The minute we entered the banquet hall, I recognized a few of my dad’s old entourage. The Warren family remained a name on the guest list every year, for we were generous with our donations and my dad had once conducted business withmore than half of the people present in this venue. Gabriela and I paused to shake hands and speak with some of my dad’s friends. They reminisced over past anecdotes that speared a flurry of nostalgia—any mention of Kyle Warren did—and asked about my studies, my football season, and the stunning redhead hanging on my arm.
Gabriela was a natural, charming the men and stroking their egos. They, in turn, told me that I was a lucky bastard to have scored such a smart girl.
I wasn’t even going to deny it.
My goddess of victory was a million-dollar vision to behold in that green dress that wrapped around her tight little body like a clingy lover, her silky hair waterfalling down her back, and all those jewels—especially that impressive snake necklace—glinting under the light of the massive chandeliers above us.
My mouth watered. What I wouldn’t give to taste herright now.
I wanted to drive us back home so I could tie her to my headboard and fuck her thoroughly, all night long, the way we both desperately needed.
But that would have to wait. This wasn’t just a formal date, but a glimpse into my world. I wanted Gabriela to see this facet of my life so she knew what to expect moving forward. Sometimes, I had to attend these events, and I would like her to come with me whenever possible.
There wasn’t a single doubt in my mind that Gabriela would seamlessly fit into this part of my world.
We ate a three-course meal, we mingled with our friends present tonight—Cade, Ella, Darla, and Dacia—and now we reached the auction portion of the evening.
