Page 65 of Laila Manning
The earlier anxiety I felt shifted to a more acute form of nervousness the moment that incredibly alluring foot touched the ground.
My feet were moving before my brain processed anything until I was pushing the guard aside and holding my hand out for my date.
“Dove.” I sighed as her warm brown eyes stared up at me from the seat with relief and nervousness burning bright in them.
“Hi.” She gave me a small smile and slid her hand into mine, squeezing it for dear life as she stood up.
“My God.” I growled, scanning her from the top of her soft, curled chocolate hair to her shoulders bare above the modest yet romantic heart-shaped neckline of her strapless red dress. Her makeup was dark, and it made her look like a Viking warrior, and I loved every single inch of it. “This dress.” I slowly slid my eyes down her lush body, stepping back to take in the whole package as she blushed and made a small spin for me.
“Do you like it?” She slid her hands down the tight corseted top to where the fabric loosened under her hips and pooled around her legs. “It’s daring.” She shifted her hips a little, and a slit opened up, baring her entire leg to my hungry eyes. The black strappy sky-high heels she wore tied the outfit together.
“It’s nothing compared to you.” I brought my eyes back to hers. “Do you have any idea how brave you look right now?”
“In my armor?” She asked, raising her brow at me with a smirk. “Thank you for this, Zeke.” She slid her hands down the gown again. “I feel like a goddess.”
“Because you are.” I leaned forward and kissed her cheek as Carly cat-called from behind us.
“You two want us to give you some alone time?” she asked, and Laila chuckled shyly, pulling back to look up at me.
“Are you ready?” I asked, sliding to the side, “It’s not too late to change your mind, and we can go get takeout in our evening wear.” I winked, and she leaned into me.
“Promise me you won’t leave my side?”
“Not for a second.” I replied instantly, meaning every word.
“Then I’m good.” She smiled brightly, took a deep breath, and looked at where our friends were waiting for us. “Let’s do this shit.” She giggled.
I tipped my head back and laughed at her tough-guy voice and slid her arm through mine, anchoring her to my side as we joined our group. “Let’s do this shit.”
I watched Laila from the corner of my eye as we made our way into the event, already in full swing. Socialites, politicians, billionaires, celebrities, and professional athletes mingled across the gold floor with their overpriced clothes and obnoxious attitudes. I didn’t care one way or another, I never had. They weren’t my people after all, just the people I worked for. But I was interested in Laila’s opinion of it all.
Her wide brown eyes flicked over everything so quickly, I wasn’t sure she was even processing half of it, but I knew what she was looking for.
Danger.
Threats.
Escapes.
She just needed to trust she’d never need any of those things at my side. I’d protect her.
I’d give her the escape she needed.
“Wow.” She whispered, watching Ryker and Jed lead the girls to the table at the front of the room before he pulled Ellie off to shake hands and mingle. “Do you always attend events like this?”
“Not if I can help it.” I grumbled, smirking down at her perfect face.
“You fit in well.” She patted the front of my tux with a smile on her red lips. “Even with the tattoos peeking out.”
“I don’t belong with these people.” I slid the backs of my fingers up her bare arm, admiring the goose bumps as they grew on her skin. “Most of these people—” I looked out over the crowd with disdain, “they view me as a tool.” I looked back down at her instead of at the people I hated. “The boogeyman they hire to do the bad things they’re too weak to do themselves.”
“You’ve built your reputation on being the man willing to do those things.” She tilted her head, “But it doesn’t mean you have to be.”
“Hmm.” I hummed, “It’s hard to suddenly become something different after so many years.”
“But not impossible.” She smiled sadly, “Look at me,” She fanned her hands over her evening gown, “The poor captive girl, turned charity gala goer.” She shrugged, “Nothing’s impossible at the end of the day I suppose.”
“Perhaps.” I leaned down and gave in to the urge to kiss her that had been plaguing me since she got out of the limo. She leaned into me, sliding her hands over my chest when I lingered against her lips. “But you have belonged here all along.” I pulled back and quirked my eyebrow down at her body. “You’re a perfect fit in a gown.”
