Page 56 of Stick to the Deal
Satisfied, Reginald wraps an arm around my shoulders, tucking me into his side. His lips press to the top of my head before he resumes the show.
On the screen, couples talk through a divider, spilling their secrets in the hope they’ll find their soulmate based on something deeper than looks. I laugh along, but my mind is still chewing over the last few minutes.
There’s another reason his compliment threw me. One I’ll never admit out loud.
His praise lit me up like fucking Times Square inside. And that scares me more than anything has in a long time. If being with him can make me feel this good, I don’t want to imagine how bad it can feel without him.
February
Ok, I’m big enough to admit when I’m wrong. I thought Lady Ravenscourt was slumming it for her choice of New Year’s Party, but the footage on her Instagram is amazing. She obviously knows something I don’t about Florida.
She and Lord R will be back on English soil soon, though. February means the annual Red Hearts Gala—the ultra posh event is the largest fundraiser for the Bancroft’s Red Hearts Foundation, which supports major hospitals and heart disease research. Everyone is dying for an invite, surely Lady R wouldn’t pass up the chance to be seen.
Speaking of which, she hasn’t been spotted with the honorable Mrs. Atherton for quite some time. I’ve been so focused on Lord R’s side of the match, have I missed family drama on the other? What do you think, readers?
TTFN
Wendy
Chapter 29
Red Hearts Gala
Icheck my watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. First big Bancroft family gala as a married couple and we’re going to be late. Mother is going to have a fit—not that it takes much to get her going these days. My eyes are still on the crystal face as I step into our bedroom. “Nic, are you almost…” I stop in my tracks as my eyes catch the first sight of her in the full-length mirror in the dressing room.
Red silk hugs her body, then pools around her feet. Thin lines of embroidered sequins glitter at the bodice and sleeves, which artfully leave her shoulders bare. A thigh-high slit shows the slightest peek of leg as she stands, one sequined heel pushed forward for inspection. Her ebony hair zigzags in gentle waves. Her ruby-red lips are pinched, and creases form around her smokey eye makeup.
Concerned, I step up behind her and lay a tender hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong, Princess?”
Doubt clouds her eyes as they meet mine in the mirror. “Is it too much?” Before I can comment, she rushes on. “When I bought it, I thought it fit the theme, but now I’m not sure. Everything is covered but… it’s still too sexy.”
“You look stunning. There is no such thing as too sexy, though as your husband I am arguably biased. I love the red. Certainly different from all those pastels you normally wear to these things.”
“I don’t want to embarrass your family.” She leans her shoulder into me, as if for support. Her eyes glimmer as they hold mine in the mirror.
The vulnerability in her eyes is my undoing. How could this amazing woman be brought so low by self-doubt? Who did this to her? Instantly I want to know, so I can hunt every bully down.
“You could never be an embarrassment. You are my wife. Frankly, you are the only reason I’ve survived these past few events without scaring off investors.”
Her lip trembles in a half-hearted smile. “Grandmama would hate this dress. Are you sure your mother won’t be mad?”
Honestly, she might be, but lately my mother has no trouble finding something to be offended by. “Fuck them.”
Her eyes widen but a crease of concern still mars her beautiful face.
I’ll just have to do something about that.
My left hand grips her hip, pulling her ass against the erection tenting my tuxedo pants. My lips brush the shell of her ear as I whisper, “Can’t leave you in your head all night. I’ll have to give you something else to think about.” My other hand trails along her wrapped bodice, following the swells of her body until it finds the warm flesh of her thigh. Fingers slip beneath the scarlet fabric, searching the hidden depths for the valley of her thighs. Instead of a scrap of cloth, I feel her bare pussy, and groan. “No panties, Princess?”
Her breath increases and her tongue darts out to wet her lips. “I didn’t want to worry about lines.” Her legs shift ever so slightly, allowing me better access.
“Knowing you are naked under this dress is going to distract me all night.” I lightly trace her slit. Soft, teasing strokes highlighting the torture she’s about to unleash on me.
Nic rocks her hips, rubbing her ass against my erection and encouraging my fingers to further explore. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not,” I growl in her ear. Gathering some of her building arousal, I circle her clit, all the while watching her eyes glaze with lust. Stepping in closer, I curl my hand, slipping into her slick center. She groans and her inner muscles quiver. A second finger joins the first. The heel of my hand presses on her sensitive bud with every stroke.
Her head falls back. A slew of incoherent moans falling from her mouth.
