Page 78 of Conflagration
“Oh, did she come by? She didn’t have to do that,” I respond, and his eyes dance with amusement as he pretends to be offended.
“She didn’t. I made this myself,” he informs me, looking rather pleased.
“Was she busy?” I tease as I take a sip of the tea he sets in front of me, allowing the warm liquid to soothe my throat.
“If you weren’t sick, I’d spank you for that comment.”
“You keep threatening me with that, and you have yet to follow through.”
“Again, once you’re well, I’ll have to make good on my word this time.” He places a bowl of soup on the island and takes the stool across from me. The aroma is tantalizing and my mouth waters. “And no, she wasn’t busy. She actually offered, but I wanted to do this myself.” He takes my hand, and it must be ice cold. He rubs it between his two, effectively warming me up. “It’s my turn to look out for you, baby.”
“You take care of me every single day, Branson,” I whisper softly, and his eyebrows rise in delight. After rolling my eyes, I sip the soup, which feels heavenly sliding down the back of my throat. “Not like that! Well, like that, but more than that. I don’t know how many times I have to say it, but no one’s ever cared for me the way you do.”
“I always will,” he promises, and as his eyes bore into mine, I pray that it’s the truth.
Because losing him? That’d be the worst pain of all.
BRANSON WALKS in the room just as I’m slipping my gold hoop earrings into my ears. He comes up behind and slides his hands around my waist, bending down to nestle his chin on the crook of my neck. Looking forward at the mirror over the dresser, I see our reflection and smile warmly. It’s been a week since I was sick, and I’m finally feeling one-hundred percent better.
“You look stunning,” he tells me, pressing kisses along the bare skin of my shoulder. “Do we have to go?” His eyes are gazing into mine through the mirror, and he pouts when I shake my head.
“Every single time we have plans, you ask that same question. There’s no way I’m missing my first annual Wellington Labor Day bash! I hear a lot of action happens there.”
“Charlie should keep her mouth shut,” he opines, and I turn in his arms, sliding my hands up his chest to straighten his tie. “Plus, it’s not even Labor Day.”
“Hey, I think it’s pretty sweet of your mom for postponing it until things settled after the wedding and the honeymoon. This way, the whole family could be there. And just think, you can show me off tonight to all those stuffy old men you work with,” I say, giving him a wink.
He steps back and holds me at arm’s length, looking down at my low-cut, crimson mini dress with a black, floral, lace overlay. It’s strapless and falls at mid-thigh. I’ve paired it with black, sexy, open-toed heels. My hair’s styled in loose curls and pinned off to the side, hanging over my left shoulder. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt as sexy around Branson as I do right now, and I can tell he appreciates the look.
“If I’m going to be showing you off, you need to be showing a little less skin,” he growls, bringing his hand down to highlight a telling bulge in his dress slacks.
Walking towards him, I place my hand on his abs and slide my hand down until it pushes his aside to cup him. My heels bring me closer to his ear, and I barely have to lift to whisper, “If you’re a good boy tonight, I’ll take care of that in more ways than one.”
I hear his sharp intake of breath, and with one more quick pat, I move past him and walk out of the room, nothing but the sound of my heels clicking down the hall, a more-than-satisfied grin on my face. His curse echoes, and just before I’m about to make it to the front door, he’s directly behind me, pushing me up against it. His hard, firm front presses against my back, his erection nestling into my ass. Swallowing hard, I take a deep breath, trying to ignore the warm burning of desire welling up in my belly.
“When have you ever known me to be a good boy, Ariana?” he whispers, his voice low and husky as his hot breath tickles my ear.
Pushing back against him, I tilt my head, giving him better access to a bare shoulder, and he doesn’t disappoint as his lips trails down my skin.
“So I was wrong about the boy part, but you’re always, always good,” I respond, my tone sultry. “Ever since that first night when I let you fuck me as long as you’d be a good patient.”
He chuckles and pulls me back just enough so he can open the door. “Just making sure you remembered.”
I watch as he walks out the door, seemingly unaffected. Closing the door behind me, I mutter my own curse and follow after him, both irritated and turned on at how he turned the tables on me.
THIS IS the closest I’ve come to feeling like the old Ariana Covington, and to be honest, it’s actually not so bad. I was a little apprehensive at the idea of a formal party full of Wellington family friends, employees, and clients, but the entire night, Branson’s kept me by his side, introducing me to everyone as his fiancée. The knowing looks passed on from some haven’t escaped my attention, and even though I could feel like arm candy, I don’t. He doesn’t treat me like an accessory. Instead, he includes me in every conversation, stealing kisses here and there, making me feel cherished and adored. In this case, I don’t mind being on his arm, and it gives me a glimpse at the future—one I can’t wait to begin.
As Branson and an older gentleman discuss something way above my head, I excuse myself and head inside to see if Amelia needs help with anything. Upon entering the kitchen, I smile when I see her leaning back against the counter, sipping a glass of white wine.
“Need any help?” I ask, and Amelia’s eyes pop open.
“Oh, Ari, you scared me. I was just taking a quick break. Sometimes, all the schmoozing gets to me.”
I smile knowingly, and she pours me a glass, holding hers up for a toast. We say, “Cheers,” and my heart flutters. I’m completely aware that I’ve hit the mother-in-law jackpot.
“I understand. I felt the same way, which is why I’m here. I heard the words ‘stocks’ and ‘investors’ and slipped away as soon as I could.”
She laughs and gives me a warm smile. “You really are the perfect fit for him, and I know you’ll do so well when he takes over the reins.”
