They may talk behind her back, there’s no help for that. But anyone careless enough to harm her publicly would feel my wrath. It was poetic justice that I would use her family’s company to launch an attack against anyone who tried. “You don’t seem overly excited to be in the company of such major stars.” I made the comment when the leading man and woman walked into the room and she barely noticed, while half the room was already flocking to their side.
She shrugged her shoulders and took another sip of her champagne before looking up at me. “I grew up here remember? The novelty wore off when I was ten.” She got her share of attention and I was sure not all had to do with the latest topic making the rounds in the rumor mill. I didn’t fault the men who gave her appreciative looks as they passed. She was easily the most beautiful woman here, and that was not just blowing smoke.
She had a youthful vitality to her that added an extra glow to her creamy soft skin and showcased her girl next-door beauty. She had just the right mix of innocence, and sex appeal to give every man in the room ideas. I said hello to a few people who approached us, some wanting to talk shop, others wanting to get a look at her. Those who’d known her old man, which was ninety five percent of those in attendance, skirted the issue of his dealings and death when addressing her.
I did pay close attention to everything with a dick that got within sniffing distance of her. I knew how some of these old reprobates think. Had I not been here she would’ve been easy pickings for more than one ill intentioned asshole with more money than brains. I must admit; some of those looks thrown her way made me just a little bit uncomfortable. Especially when they came from the younger matinee idol types.
I hadn’t yet solidified my hold on her. There was nothing more between us than a working arrangement, nothing that said she was exclusively mine, no matter that I’d already made that decision to myself. I envied every easy smile she gave to someone of the opposite sex and even growled in my throat once or twice when someone got too fucking close. That hand got tighter around her middle and I was glaring by the time the curtains went up.
I held her hand in the darkened theater and pretended interest in the scenes flitting across the screen. Was she as aware of me as I was of her? A better question Storm is when did you become a bitch. When exactly had this girl taken your balls? The question pissed me off, especially since she appeared less affected by me than I her.
She sat poised and attentive as she watched the screen while I watched her. She laughed in what I suppose were the right places, and cringed when appropriate. She was engrossed in the film while I was totally occupied with her. I realized I was jealous of the damn movie and my anger just grew.
That shit was on a slow boil by the time the lights came up and people started getting up to leave. I was tempted to drag her out of there and forego the after party and take her instead, back to my place, my bed. She was a hell of a lot more relaxed as we left and was more open and friendly to those who stopped us on the way out to ask her what she thought of the film.
I all but dragged her to the car and waved the driver away so I could see to her myself. By the time I dropped into my seat beside her I was ready to break her neck and I had no idea why. Hadn’t I wanted people to see us together, to see that she was doing just fine regardless? So why the fuck am I so pissed that she’d held up so beautifully under well hidden scrutiny?
“Having fun?” Well shit. Even I heard the censure and aggression in my voice.
13
Emily
His tone had me looking over at him sharply. All evening I’d sensed the shifting moods in him. It started at around the time the show’s leading man came over to say hello. I didn’t miss the appreciative looks, but since I showed no interest and hadn’t returned the flirtation, I didn’t think Storm had even noticed. He’d been, at the time, preoccupied with one of the starlets, or so it had appeared.
I didn’t answer him since I wasn’t sure of his mood, but looked out my window instead. I could all but feel the heat coming off of him and a quick side eye glance showed his balled fists on his thighs. Suddenly I grew warm, and a flock of geese took flight in my tummy, while that forbidden place between my thighs tingled. Is this what scientist mean by pheromones? I was sure picking up some alpha male vibes right now.