He’s just as uneasy as me.
Something about that realization was a relief, until I thought about it.
The mask.
How could I be so freaking silly? Here I was worried about being a fish out of water, and while he might be used to the world of wealth and power, Liam was far more comfortable in the shadows.
I stopped him, tugging him close to a potted plant that seemed to be growing out of the alcove in the wall. “Here.”
My fingers smoothed the already perfect tie. I gave him what I hoped was a reassuring look, careful not to smile now that I realized his discomfort.
“Who at this party do we have to meet?” I asked quietly.
The muscle under his eye twitched. “There are a few business associates.”
“Well, my plan is to fuck them,” I quipped lightly.
Liam wrenched me close. “I wouldn’t be doing that, wife.”
I let out a soft gasp at the venom in his voice. The bolt of fear was a natural reaction, and it took a second for my brain to grasp what exactly was happening.
“Oh, no, I don’t mean literally,” I laughed and rolled my eyes. “I meant ‘fuck ‘em all’ like, they don’t matter.”
It was supposed to be a joke.
I wasn’t good at those, and clearly Liam didn’t get my humor.
When he still wasn’t convinced, I made a face. There was probably only one way to show him that he was the only man I was interested in. There were a million reasons not to be obsessed with my husband, but right now, those didn’t matter. I was. And he needed to know it.
“Ew, gross. These playboys and socialites are probably all disease-ridden. Plus….” I reached between us and boldly cupped his cock in my palm. It wasn’t hard, but it wasn’t soft either.
“There’s only one man for me.”For as long as I have you.
The surge of sadness at that helped keep the smile at bay.
Something downright feral flashed in those stormy eyes. Liam let out a curse, wrapped his arms around me, and bent his forehead to mine.
“Jaysus, you’re something else. Feeling me up in public?”
I warmed under his gaze. “I didn’t want you doubting where my mind’s at.”
Where it almost always was. I was going to make the most of our time together. Enjoy these moments of peace until the chapter ended.
Chapter 39 – Liam
Fucking hell….
I wanted to believe her. I wanted to trust that her brash display was meant for me. But how could I, when she was keeping secrets?
Gabriella pressed her lips tight. But there was a tantalizing gleam in her eyes. She looked ravishing in that blue gown. After ordering the ceremonial dress for her, I found shopping for my wife was my newest addiction. The app on her phone was filled with clothes, so it was easy to gauge her style. I wanted to fill the closet, make her try them on, but who was I kidding. Once she was naked, I would pounce.
The thought of tasting her bare flesh sent a sizzle of heat straight to my dick.
If it wasn’t important for business to be here, I would have hauled her out of the party. It had been a long week, and I couldn’t remember why I’d spent the nights on the couch. That stopped now. I was going to take her home and put our king-sized bed to good use. The idea of waiting was torture.
Or maybe we don’t have to.
Hell, there were plenty of empty rooms in this mansion where we could hide.
