safe and happy. But I’m not using you.” Not now, anyway. I had intended to bring up the fact that she’s part owner of his business, that she could sell it to me if she urged a proxy fight--which wouldn’t be difficult, given her father’s mismanagement of the company. But my revenge isn’t so important now, not when I’ve found the one person who soothes my primal soul with nothing more than a smile.
“That’s what I thought.” She lets out a long sigh and seems to nod to herself.
I kiss her again, gently brushing my lips against hers. “Go, sunshine. I’ll be by to pick you up in an hour.”
“All right.” She beams and turns to go.
When she’s at my door, I add, “And make sure you don’t wear panties. We wouldn’t want to ruin the look of your gown.”
She giggles, then scoops up Mr. Grumpy Pants, the two of them the cutest pair I’ve ever seen. “Yes, Mr. Baxter.”
I would correct her to call me Liam, but I rather like the formality, especially when I’m so deep inside her she can’t seem to get any other words out.
16
Georgia
“Why is everyone staring at us?” I ask.
Liam has me tucked tightly into his side. A server that’s holding a tray full of hors d’oeuvres passes by us, and I snag a shrimp, popping it into my mouth. Mr. Grumpy Pants would have enjoyed this. Well, he would have loved the food but not the people so much. The place is filled with elites in fancy attire. It’s one of the reasons I usually turn down the invitation. I don’t enjoy rubbing elbows with these people, because most of them are like my father.
“They're not staring at us.” He shifts, moving us more off to the side. “They’re staring at you, sunshine. This dress was made for a curvy body like yours. Perfection.” He runs his gaze down the low neckline of my emerald green dress.
I beam at him. I love when he uses my nickname. Who am I kidding? I love to correct him when he doesn't, too.
“Georgia, you total doll.” Kurt strides up, his eyes on me.
“Take a walk.” Liam almost growls the words.
Kurt laughs. “Point taken. That dress is perfect on you, though. You’re welcome.” He turns and takes the arm of a handsome man.
“Is that his--”
“Kurt is bi,” Liam explains. “He actually has a decent following for his drag persona. The boyfriend part is fine. It’s when he’s making eyes at you that I want to gut him.”
I laugh. “He was just trying to be nice. I suppose I should have figured something was up when he knew all the sales ladies at the dress shop and the exact sort of gown I needed.”
Bradley walks by, a grin on his face and a blonde on his arm. “Lookin’ good, you two.”
Liam smirks in his direction.
“I do look pretty good, if I do say so myself,” I chime in. I’m delighted to be here with Liam, no more of the dread that I’d been feeling about the gala earlier in the week. Maybe because after everything that’s happened between us, this really does feel as though it’s our first real date. I don’t even care that I’m probably going to run into my father tonight. I’m enjoying myself and placing my bets on getting Liam to dance later. Right now the dance floor is still empty. People always wait for the first person to dance and then they join in.
“You don’t look pretty good, you look captivating and way too alluring.” His hold on me grows tighter. “They aren’t used to seeing me with anyone.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I giggle against him, resting my head on his chest. I love that even in heels, he still looms over me.
“I know.” His fingers graze down my back.
I look up to glare at him. Okay, I know I’m clingy, but you don’t have to throw it in my face.
“Because I’m not letting go.” He smirks before dropping a kiss on my lips. Actually, if I think back on it, he’s sort of the one that’s clingy. I mean, he wouldn’t even let me call out of work for one day. If I’m not where he thinks I should be, he comes for me. It’s adorable. Ha. Liam Baxter adorable. And all mine.
We socialize for a bit, with Liam introducing me to everyone that comes over to us. A lot of people come up to him, wanting him to listen to whatever