“I’ve met your grandfather before,” Jackson says. “A rather intimidating man, but he’s got a brain for business.”
The corners of Jayce’s mouth twitch. He maintains his composure, but I can tell the comment makes him proud.
“Indeed he does.”
Aunt Delilah pipes up then. “We weren’t expecting you tonight, Jayce. It’s a delight that you could join us.”
Jayce flexes his fingers against my back. “Sutton said it was important to her. I wanted to be here to support her.”
Delilah smiles. “Is that so?”
My cheeks flush and my breath leaves me in a rush. God, this man knows exactly what to say to get me hot and bothered.
Throughout the rest of the night, I notice the way he steps in when conversations stall, rescuing me with a question or a quiet comment, but never taking over or moving focus off of me. The way his hand tightens just slightly when someone’s gaze lingers too long. He’s attentive. Playing the part of the perfect fiance and it’s doing things to my heart and head. He’s making me fall harder and harder for him…honestly, how could I not? When he makes me feel like I’m the most important person in the world to him? That I’m worthy of his attention and care?
By the time the last speeches for the night wrap and the crowd begins to thin, my feet ache and my head is buzzing. I’m exhausted, but incredibly happy with how the night has gone.
The ballroom is still glowing with warm golden light, clusters of guests lingering around the tables. Laughter and conversationhum softly through the space, but the frantic energy from earlier in the evening has finally begun to settle.
I shift in my heels, trying not to wince.
Jayce’s hand slides to the small of my back, steady and warm, and he leans down so only I can hear him.
“You’re exhausted,” he murmurs.
I blink up at him, surprised.
“I’m fine,” I start automatically.
One brow lifts. “Sutton.”
Somehow that’s enough to make me sigh in surrender.
“Okay,” I admit. “Maybe a little.”
His thumb brushes against my back.
“Do you want to head back to your place?” he asks. “Get out of here?”
For a second I just stare at him knowing he means my place here in New York, but that’s not what I want.
“I want to go home to Colorado.”
Jayce goes still beside me. I glance up at him, suddenly aware of the weight of what I just admitted, but his expression is unreadable.
“I just…” I swallow, struggling with my words now. “My presentation is only a few days away. I really can’t afford distractions, and I need to focus.”
He studies me for another moment, then smiles and nods.
“Okay.”
Relief floods through me, until another thought hits.
“Oh, my mom is probably expecting me to stay through tomorrow,” I mutter, glancing across the room where she’s laughing with a group of socialites. “If I leave now, she might think I’m…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Jayce’s voice is quiet but firm.
