Page 63 of Caught in the Axe
Chapter 21
Owen
This was a terrible idea. I could kill Enzo for suggesting that he’d introduce Lila to the hockey players and baseball players in attendance tonight. After he mentioned it and shot me a pointed look, I could barely get through my meetings.
And then I had to sit on my couch while Lila tried on a bunch of dresses, each more gorgeous and sexy than the last. Each time she’d disappear into the guest room to change, my heart would take off in anticipation. And each time she’d come out to ask my opinion, I’d have to hold my breath and silently tell my dick to stand down.
I swore Enzo was straight-up fucking with me.
I’d punch him, but Delia would be at the event, and I knew better than to piss her off.
And I’d be too distracted by Lila’s presence to remember anyway. After our meeting, we headed back to my building, where my doorman informed us that several garments and shopping bags had been delivered.
Lila had lit up in wonder at the selection of dresses, shoes, and purses Liv had arranged to have sent over.
She’d settled on a dark purple dress. It was long and simple, with cap sleeves, but the back plunged low, making it demure and sexy at the same time.
While Lila fixed her hair and makeup, I texted Linda with instructions to send Liv a massive bouquet of flowers tomorrow to thank her.
“You okay?” I asked as I handed her coat to the attendant.
“Yes.” She nodded, but the smile she gave me was uncertain.
I cocked a brow and waited for her to elaborate.
She worried her bottom lip and regarded me for a long moment. Finally, she smoothed the front of her dress and said, “I’m not a fancy event girl. Any time I had to go to things with Cole, he left me behind and ignored me.”
I closed my eyes and promised not to fly into a murderous rage even as fury coursed through me. Every single time she mentioned that dipshit, I disliked him more. Which was a feat because, after his mini crime spree, he was at the top of my shit list already.
“I won’t leave your side,” I said, patting her arm. “And we don’t have to stay long. We can leave before they serve dinner if you want. We could be out of here and back in my condo in sweats in fifteen minutes.”
She turned and straightened my bow tie, giving me the sweetest smile. Damn, she was gorgeous. She was always beautiful, but her shimmery eyes and glossy lips mesmerized me every time I looked at her tonight.
“Have I told you how handsome you look?” she said, brushing at my lapels.
“Only fifteen times.” I shot her a grin.
Lila had been complimenting my tux since I pulled it out of my closet. With her on my arm, I felt like James Bond striding into this party.
“And you are drop-dead gorgeous,” I said, tilting my head so I could get closer to her. “You look like a princess, but not one of those lame, helpless ones. You’re like a badass princess.”
“I did pack my hip daggers,” she joked, eyes dancing.
“I’d expect nothing less from the Maple Sugar Queen.”
I offered my arm, and she took it, and then we strode into the ballroom.
“Princess,” she corrected as we maneuvered around people. “Miss Maple Princess.”
“Nope.” I shook my head. “You’ve been promoted to queen.”
I was practically floating tonight, full of pride, as I introduced Lila to my life and showed her my home and my business. The things I’d accomplished.
In Lovewell, it was hard not to feel like a stumbling failure, but in Boston, I was someone. Not a big deal like Enzo or his rich friends, but a man who had made a place for himself in this world.
Lila wasn’t the kind of woman to be seduced by glitz and glamour, but even so, she was wide-eyed and excited.
As I steered her toward the bar, heads turned, and I’d definitely noticed a couple of photographers point their cameras in our direction. Before Amara could swoop in andsteal her away, and before Enzo’s brownstone roommates found us and circled like vultures, I wanted a few minutes alone with her.
