Chapter 22
Ishift my hips side to side, one last time, fighting the fabric hugging my body to straighten the seams. The frock is simple for tonight’s event—a work event at which I’ll be interpreting for Grant as our guests are German.
I’m in an all-black form-fitting satin gown with wide tank straps. But just because it’s simple doesn’t make it any less stunning. I have Roxie to thank for that. The alteration, of course, is uncomfortable, but I'm not complaining tonight. I've gotten ready for tonight's event at Grant’s house, and his groans and stares have been enough to silence all issues I have with my lack of oxygen.
My fingers smooth over one of the shoulder straps, and I admire the low, square neck that flirts with my cleavage and my diamond pendant, before heading out. The accessory goes with everything.
The click on the tile from my heels as I enter the bedroom attracts Grant’s attention. His deep grunt of approval hits my ears, and I enjoy looking at my admirer for so long that my eyes are drooping like they’re fixated in a dream.
No doubt the sexiest man alive in his fitted tux.
He’s also a man kissing me on the forehead every night after rearranging my organs, and the man stroking my hair while I fall asleep to him humming stories for me.
“Are you ready for tonight?” His eyes dip to the lowest part of my dress, then he slowly trails his gaze up to my eyes, fire washing over my skin with the indecent look he’s giving me. “After the event, I mean.”
“I don’t know if I should be excited or nervous.”
A gentle wink crinkles the outer corner of his eye. “Nervous might be wise if we’re going by how I feel right now. Watching you get dressed was torture.”
“You could have left,” I tease. “No one made you stay and watch.”
“No chance I was leaving at the sight of your lingerie.” He deepens my teasing tone.
After straightening his jacket once more, he strolls across the room and stops in front of a mirror, touching his bowtie once or twice to position it the way he likes.
My fingers are checking the straps on my shoulders one more time as I hear Grant’s voice.
“You told me the other night that you don’t like big events.”
“I don’t.” I shake my head.
“Then besides the gala, when was the last time you went to an event like this? Not including the other ones you’ve been to with Roxie.”
I don’t have to dwell on the question long. The event is practically burned in my mind.
“I was a teen.” Slowly, I wander over to where he stands. Thinking of the event, I stare up at the raised ceiling, almost seeing the dreaded evening play-by-play.
“It was my mom and stepdad’s anniversary. I can’t remember how long they’d been married at that point because I think I’d stopped caring. They’d hired a chef and a catering team at some sort of five-star resort. All they served was imported wine, beer, and vodka, and the best assortment of food. My favorite was the orchestra they’d hired. I spent most of the night dancing by myself, in a beaded purple gown. The night was going so well, then Lonnie…”
A sickness waves through my stomach, creeping up until it hits the back of my throat.
“I had to go to the bathroom. I didn’t know he was following me because of how loud the music was. When I got in the room, he rushed in behind me, grabbed me by the hair, and smashed my head into the tile. I tried to fight him off, but my eye was already swollen, and I couldn’t see well because of the cut on my skull. It bled a lot.”
A sharp breath from Grant sucks in, and looking over, his jaw is flexing so hard a vein bulges at his temple.
I don’t know how it’s possible for such a look of hatred to be a melody of contentment to the soul, but that’s what the venom spreading across Grant’s face is to me—my lullaby—and I’m going to fall asleep to it tonight.
Grant lifts his head, urging me to continue.
“He started dragging me to the stalls. Probably to rape me, I’m not sure.” I replay his words to myself, thankful Grant can’t hear them. He’d hate them.
“Dancing without me is a bad thing, and my disobedient things must be punished.”
I shake my head, jostling the thoughts away, and carry on, a small shake in my voice now. “Thankfully for me, another woman was in there, and he fled the scene. After I was bandaged up, my parents sent me home, saying I ruined their party. I cried all night, and never went to an event again.”
I finish and notice my fists are clenched, shaking in anger. The story doesn’t hurt anymore, but I remember as a young teen, my already suffering ego was wounded that night. I remember wondering why my parents couldn’t be there for me—why they acted like I was the embarrassing one and not Lonnie. Now it doesn’t matter. What remains is a disdained mark across my heart for their misplaced ideals. They’re merely an annoying stain I can’t unsee.
“Lonnie?” Grant’s voice is laced with fire. The sound injects into my skin, making my lashes flutter in ecstasy. “Is that who you’re trying to forget?”
Strangely, the name hurts all of a sudden. My throat burns. I think it’s from uttering his name out loud to Grant—something I never thought I’d do so soon. If at all. A tear slides down my cheek. All that stops me from sobbing is the idea that Grant truly is taking all of me. An idea I’m no longer opposed to.
I brush away the tear and answer his question. “He is.” Placing my hand on Grant’s sleeve, I stroke my thumb across the fabric and nearly sigh. “For the moment, I’d almost forgotten about him.”
“For the moment?” he echoes, raspy and dry.
“Yes,” I nearly whisper. “For the moment.”
“Someday, I’ll give you more than a moment, Olivia. I’ll give you a lifetime.” Grant tenderly kisses my forehead, his previous anger dropping away. His words are those of determination yet there’s softness in his tone, and you’d think he almost sounds broken. But I hear what threads underneath it—a promise. A certain and sure promise that I could probably wager my life on.
And despite the sensation of Grant and I lasting being far from my norm, for once, I’m not afraid. I’m not scared of Lonnie taking this away. Lonnie wishes he could make vows as deeply and concrete as Grant’s. But he only rips away what is weak, whereas Grant leaves no link weakened or unchecked. His world is impenetrable, and I’m a part of that.
We head to the event, and the whole ride there, all I can hear is that promise. As it plants itself deep in my heart, I know it’s his most sincere one yet.