“I’m starting to think this was a bad idea…” I admit. “You should have come here alone.”
He tilts his head to the side, staring at me from under a crinkled brow. “And why would you say that?”
I glance down at the black chiffon and lace dress I’m wearing, with its tiered hem and its tie straps. It looks like I robbed it right out of Wednesday Addams’s closet. Meanwhile, every other woman here is dressed to the nines, shimmery pastel-colored designer gowns tailored to their perfect bodies.
“It’s just…my tattoos and…I should have done my hair differently…or I don’t know…I…”
“Jules, stop it,” he growls.
I shake my head. “I should have stayed home. What if I mess up your chances with your business partners? I just don’t want to embarrass you in front of all these important people.”
Lincoln immediately stops moving. “I’m offended that you’d even think that.” Lowering his face to mine, he cups both of my cheeks in those massive hands of his. “You are my wife. Where I go, you go.”
I force a laugh. “Well, that’s a little misogynistic. Don’t you think?”
He smirks. “Misogynistic? Baby, I’d follow you around town on my hands and knees if you asked me to, and you know it.” He strokes my cheek with his knuckle. “The point is, if you’re not welcome somewhere, I’m not going. Simple as that. No fucking compromise. Now, can we please enjoy the rest of our evening?”
Wow. This man is getting really good at making my heart pitter patter.
I stare up at him from under my lashes, my lips pulling into an involuntary smile. “Yes.”
He loops an arm around my back, possessively pulling my body up against his. Once more, he begins to sway.
“And just for the record, none of these people are more important than you. You are smart. You are resilient. You are one of a kind. And of the four billion women walking the face of this planet, you are the most gorgeous one. I want the whole damn world to know that you’re mine.”
“You make me feel safe, Lincoln Raines. I’m not used to feeling this way.”
“As long as you’re with me, youaresafe. You know that, right?”
I nod wordlessly as my silent emotions choke me.
My husband drops his lips to mine, warping my brain with one little nibble and then another. He pulls back with a smile.
He’s so handsome in that tux. For a few blissful moments, his beauty completely distracts me from all my insecurities. My hands travel up his chest to loop around the back of his neck and I tug on the ends of his hair.
When his erection moves against my belly, he lets out a gravelly chuckle. “Careful, darling. I’m about to burst through the seam of my pants if you keep pulling my hair like that.”
I laugh, too. “Sorry. I’ll behave.”
“Don’t you dare apologize for being who you are.” He unravels his arms from around me and weaves our fingers together. “Come. Let’s find our seats.”
As we’re heading back, I notice a gorgeous couple now standing near our table. Carol and Abigail spot us and excitedly waves us over.
“Hello again, you two.” Nadia Westbrook smiles at us.
Her hair is pulled into a low bun that accentuates her neck and shoulders. She wears a coppery dress that shows off her curves and perfectly compliments her golden brown skin. She looks regal.
“Nadia, great to see you again,” Lincoln says before turning to the woman’s husband. “Westbrook. How’s the off-season treating you?”
The striking giant of a man shakes hands with my husband. “Can’t wait for training camp, man. We’re ready to take it all the way to the championship this season.”
“I love to hear it.” Lincoln nods.
With an arm proudly wrapped around my waist, he introduces me to Harry Westbrook and we shake hands.
Then Nadia turns to me with excitement in her eyes. “At the community center earlier, Lincoln was telling me that you own a T-shirt design company?”
Surprised, I glance at Lincoln. He gives me a nod.
