Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 88270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88270 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
The drive to the Metropolitan Museum of Art stretches on, the city lights emerging as we cross into Manhattan. When we arrive at the gala entrance, the roped-off red carpet is lined with paparazzi and their cameras. I step out first, offering Carolyn my hand. She takes it, and there is a flash of gratitude. Her touch sends a jolt up my arm. I ignore it and lead her up the grand steps of the Met.
I glance at her curiously. She seems nervous, her steps hesitant, her free hand smoothing her gown's slit as if to hide her exposed skin. I wonder why. She always thrived in these settings, like a shark among minnows. Without thinking, I place my hand on the small of her back, the silk warm under my palm. The curve of her spine arches slightly at my touch. I intend to steady her, but it only heightens the heat between us. It makes my fingers want to linger forever.
People flock to us almost immediately. Dignitaries nodding and murmuring their hellos, a senator from New York clapping me on the shoulder with a booming laugh, businessmen murmuring about deals and pressing cards into my hand like offerings. I navigate it all with practiced ease, but my real attention is on my wife, watching how she hangs back, shy almost, her smiles polite but reserved, which is weird. She is usually the one commanding the room, her wit, sharp and engaging. It's another piece that doesn't fit.
Unease stirs once more in my gut.
A woman approaches, weaving through the crowd with that predatory grace I recognize instantly. Leila, Carolyn's friend. She’s in a slinky red gown, her dark hair piled high, diamonds dripping from her ears and throat like icicles. She has that sly look in her eyes that I detest, so her approach isn’t exactly welcome, but watching the ‘new’ Carolyn interact with her will be interesting, so I give her a respectable amount of attention. Her smile, as usual is laced with venom, as she air-kisses Carolyn on both cheeks, her perfume cloying and overpowering.
"Darling," she purrs, pulling back to eye Carolyn up and down, then turning to me with a sultry look. "Hello, Gorgeous. I’m not ignoring you, I just desperately need to catch up with your wife.”
“Be my guest,” I say coolly.
She turns to Carolyn and launches into a rant. “God, it's been ages. I haven't heard from you in so long. No one's been able to reach you; you've canceled so many of our scheduled lunches over the past month. What's going on?"
Carolyn hesitates, her fingers tightening slightly on my arm. "I've been busy," she says softly, her voice steady but with that underlying nervousness.
Leila arches a perfectly sculpted brow, her lips curving in that faux-concerned smile. "With what... no offense, but you've vanished. Spill."
Before Carolyn can respond, Leila's gaze sharpens, tilting her head as she studies her. "There's something different about you," she says with a frown.
I start really paying attention, my hand still on Carolyn's back, feeling the subtle tension in her muscles.
"How so?" I ask, my voice casual, leaning in slightly, the crowd's murmur fading around me.
Leila pauses, her eyes narrowing playfully on Carolyn, but there's a bite there. "I just can't point it out. What did you do, Carolyn? Your face is plumper... or maybe not. I don’t know, but the nose. The nose is definitely different, and well, hooray to the upgrade in bra cup size. Oh my God, of course! You sly thing. You secretly had some work done, didn’t you? Love the new nose. Who did it for you?”
Carolyn doesn't respond, her flush deepening, and I see how uncomfortable she is. Her posture stiffens under my hand, her breath quickening just a touch. For some weird reason, I can’t bear to have her made to feel bad. Enough. I tighten my grip slightly, my protective instinct kicking in.
“We’d better go,” I say and steer her away toward our assigned seats in the grand hall.
Carolyn, eager to leave with me, murmurs her excuses to Leila over her shoulder.
"We'll catch up soon, I promise.”
And we slip away together.
Chapter Twenty-Six
JULIET
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_kTSBqQkME
-no way you’ll see me crawl-
We head over to our assigned seats, Blake's hand a steady presence on the small of my back, guiding me through the throng of glittering guests. The space has been transformed into a sea of elegance with towering floral arrangements of white orchids and calla lilies cascading from crystal vases on pedestal tables. Their petals are luminous under the massive chandeliers that drip like frozen waterfalls from the vaulted ceiling. The air is crisp and chilled, carrying the scent of expensive perfumes. We greet a cluster of people, Blake's voice smooth and commanding as he shakes hands with a silver-haired man in a tuxedo.
"Senator Schumer, good to see you," he says, his grip firm, while I smile politely beside him, my heart racing as I recognize the face from countless news clips; Chuck Schumer, the Senate Majority Leader, his eyes crinkling with that practiced warmth as he nods at me.