Chapter 5

GAGE

After the photoshoot wraps up, Ted pulls out a bag with a famous designer’s name printed on it. He gives me a cautious look as he pulls lingerie out of a second bag. Aubrey thanks him and asks him to leave so she can dress.

She drops her robe and wiggles out of the one-piece swimsuit that was her last wardrobe change. It’s even more scandalous than the bikinis she’s been wearing all day. It’s nothing more than straps and two triangles that barely cover the tips of her breasts. When she pulled it off the hanger I about lost my damn mind. My cock was instantly hard and aching in my pants. I was ready to drag her out of here and have my wicked way with her.

I watch as she slowly puts the scraps of black lace on. She blushes when she notices me staring. I hate the dress that she pulls on, hiding her delectable body from me. She turns so her back is to me; the dress is open, showing off the elegant sweep of her back.

“Zip me?”

I grip the tiny zipper and slowly pull it up, letting the backs of my fingers trail up her spine just ahead of the zipper. Her skin is so damn soft and inviting. 

The temptation to pull the zipper right back down and kiss every inch of skin I just covered is enormous, but Aubrey has a charity gala tonight and even though she’s exhausted, she refuses to miss it. 

Once she’s zipped, I press a heated kiss to the side of her neck and grip her hip, holding her to me for a brief moment. The tightness in my groin becomes nearly unbearable at the pleased little sound she makes.

For the hundredth time today, a knock at the door interrupts us. Ted peeks his head around the door, then pushes fully inside when he sees Aubrey is dressed. 

He makes a clucking noise and begins messing with her already perfect hair. They are quietly discussing whether to leave it down or put it up.

“Leave it down.” I didn’t realize I was going to speak until the words were out of my mouth. “Your hair is beautiful.”

Aubrey looks at me through the mirror, a shy smile on her lips as she nods in agreement. Ted gives me a disapproving look but says nothing. Smart man. Aubrey seems to really like him; I’d hate to have to hurt him for getting in my way.

***

The gala is a fucking security nightmare. Paparazzi are everywhere, and the security is dismal at best. Aubrey is involved in a lot of different charities, but the Survivors’ Coalition is the one that is nearest and dearest to her. After what happened with Nelson, she understandably felt a kinship to women who have survived sexual assault and she’s become a spokeswoman and a face for the charity.

I scan the room, looking for potential problems or threats. Aubrey is talking with the founder of Survivors’ Coalition and a couple of the members of the board of trustees. They are breaking ground on a new center where women can go for free counseling and support through group and art therapy. 

Aubrey seems especially excited about the different art-based programs that will be available. Her happiness is contagious, and I find myself fighting to keep an unaffected look on my face… when my eyes land on Brent Myers as he makes his way across the room toward Aubrey, any bit of happiness in my expression dies a swift death.

Brent waltzes right up to Aubrey, putting his arm around her as if he has the right to touch her. 

Aubrey’s whole body tenses and she shoots me a wary look as she discreetly tries to move out of Brent’s hold. I can see her desperation not to make a scene warring with her desire to shove Brent away.

“Hey, baby, sorry I’m late,” Brent says.

“Get your fucking hands off her.” My tone brokers no argument. The surprised gasps from the people closest to Aubrey do nothing to temper my aggression. 

Brent obviously lacks any kind of self-preservation instincts, because the little fucker throws his head back and laughs before pulling Aubrey closer. “Last chance before I start breaking things.”

I almost hope the fucker doesn’t move. I want to break things. Starting with that arm he has wrapped around my woman. Whatever Brent sees when he stops laughing and really takes me in must make him realize how deathly serious I am because he visibly swallows before taking a step away from Aubrey. He puts his hands up in front of him in the universal sign of ‘no harm done.’

“Sheesh. Call off your bulldog, Aubrey.”

“What are you doing here, Brent?” she asks instead.

“I want you back, baby. I messed up.” He gives me a wary look, then turns his attention fully to Aubrey. “Can we go somewhere and talk?”

Aubrey shakes her head. “No, there’s nothing to talk about.”

He starts to take a step toward her but thinks better of it and stays put. Maybe he isn’t as stupid as I originally thought. “Please, baby. Don’t do this to us.”

“Brent, there is no us.”

“But—”

I slap my hand down on Brent’s shoulder. “You heard the lady. Leave.”

“This isn’t over,” he says, then pushes angrily through the crowd toward the exit.

“You okay?” I ask Aubrey.

For a split second her eyes betray her true feelings—frustration, anger, and sadness—but then her mask is firmly back in place. “I’m fine. Thanks.” She turns back to her companions and the conversation picks back up. I stay closer than absolutely necessary, not wanting to risk anyone else touching my woman.

Two hours later we are back at the hotel and Aubrey looks like she’s about ready to collapse. “Sit down, princess. Relax, I’ll run you a bath.”

“Oh, you don’t—”

I cut off her protest with a hard look. “I said sit down.”

Her bottom instantly hits the edge of the bed. “I was just going to take a quick shower…” she says almost absently. She wants to argue but at the same time wants to obey.

“And I want to give my princess a bath.”

“Oh… T-That would be…” she pauses to catch her breath, those big blue eyes of hers blinking up at me, her long lashes brushing against her cheeks as she looks at me with pure innocence, “...nice.”

Once the tub is full, I return to the bedroom to find Aubrey sitting in the exact same position. I pull her to her feet and into my arms. She comes to me willingly. 

With a finger under her chin, I tilt her face up. I want to see her every expression as I undress her. I reach behind her and slowly work her zipper down. When her back is fully exposed, I run my hands over her soft skin. Her eyes glaze with desire at my touch.

Unable to help myself, I kiss her. Like before, her lips part easily and she succumbs, giving herself to me. I trail kisses down her neck and over her shoulder. 

I slowly push her dress down, kissing my way down her body until I’m on my knees in front of her, my face inches from her sweet pussy.

“Are you wet, sweetheart?”