Page 39 of Married As Puck
He steps aside to exchange pleasantries with a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair.
I flash a smile at the man once Cameron does the introductions.
The man’s hand lingers a little on mine.
“You’re still holding my hand.” I point out when he doesn’t let go.
“Oh, forgive me,” he says, but the look in his eyes says otherwise.
I feel my skin crawl, but I keep the smile on my face to conceal my irritation.
“I was a bit dazed by your beauty,” he adds, transporting me back to the days when I was newly recruited to work with Mrs. Randolph.
She used to introduce me to older men, posing as clients for the organization. I almost gave up on the job when I found out the intentions of the men, but she quickly stepped in, not to help me, but to protect her image.
Cameron’s hands on my waist keep me from responding. The man notices it.
“Alright, Gray. I’ll see you around. It was nice to finally meet the Mrs. Gray.”
I flash a small smile at him which vanishes the minute he turns around.
Cameron remarks, “Keep doing that and we’ll survive the evening.”
I nod even though I still feel my skin prickle from the stares I’m getting. A waiter floats past with a tray of champagne. I grab one and down it in one go.
Cameron’s hand strokes my back, and I don’t like the feel of his hands on me.
“You’re doing it again,” he mutters.
Easy for him to say. He looks like he was born to be here.
Me? I feel like a kid playing dress-up. I keep my chin up anyway.
By the second glass, the nerves have reduced. By the third, warmth courses through my veins and the knot in my stomach loosens up. I throw my head back, let out a giggle that sounds foreign to my ears.
The drinks make me bolder. When Cameron introduces me to some sports investors, I blurt, “This one?” with a giggle, pointing at him. “He barely knows how to hold a good conversation, but sure, trust him with your career.”
The man chuckles, and Cameron’s mouth twitches.
“Oh, don’t look at me like that,” I nudge him once the man is out of earshot. “You wanted me to relax.”
“You’re more than relaxed now, Brie. You’re acting weird,” he notes in a worried tone.
“Weird? I think that’s actually a compliment coming from you.” I giggle, half from the alcohol, half from how close he is. At this point, I’m not even sure my brain is functioning properly. “What’s weird is how close you are to me.”
He tugs me closer and then I feel his breath on my hair as he says, “Because you’re my wife for the night.”
I wrap my arm around his neck and yank his ear down to my mouth. “Pretty sure the wife thing is ongoing, not just for the night.”
I pull back, meeting his gaze head on. He doesn’t look like the grump I first met. He’s lighter in a way that makes my insides clench.
The event goes by in a blur with award presentations, fundraising appeals, laughter, wining and dining. The majority of the people Cameron introduces me to openly compliment how good we look together, a win for him. He looks smug through it all, his kisses and feathery touches growing bolder.
“I think we should take a seat,” I suggest to him after a while. The music has taken an upbeat now and it seems the gala is transitioning to a full-blown party. The dance floor is getting crowded, but my feet are killing me in these heels.
“Why? The party just started.” I know he’s being sarcastic because he looks at the people on the dance floor with disinterest and a subtle hint of irritation.
I open my mouth to protest but pause when I catch a head of platinum blonde hair strutting towards us. My eyes narrow into slits. Great.
