Mr. Control by Maya Hughes

Author:Maya Hughes [Hughes, Maya]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-16T18:30:00+00:00

18

MEL

As we entered the museum, Rhys checked my coat and led me into the event. His hand that warmed me back in the apartment, set me ablaze as he settled it on the small of my back. His fingers were flush against my bare skin, making me hyper-aware of every bit of exposed skin and every inch of contact between us. I held my head high as we walked into the event space, which showcased various pieces of artwork. Heads turned as we made our way further into the room. My shoulders inched a little higher with each new set of eyes turned our way.

“Relax,” he whispered, tickling my ear with his warm minty breath. “I would tell you they’re not looking at you, that they’re looking at me, but I know with you in that dress they are definitely looking at you,” he said, plucking two champagne flutes off the tray from the waiter who had approached us. “Here you go. Don’t let it go to your head,” he said. I didn’t know what part of tonight I shouldn’t let go to my head. The fairy-tale makeover, him taking me out, the champagne, or the way he looked at me that made me want to drag him into an empty closet and beg him to end my misery.

But his remark cemented how much I didn’t fit in with this crowd. I didn’t know how to hold my champagne glass and my hands were super clammy for each embarrassing handshake, and the heels made me wobbly with each step. But his hand didn’t leave my back for most of the evening. He guided me through the crowd, introducing me to everyone we met, smiles all around. With him leading the way, I relaxed. I smiled and tried to play my part as his date without falling on my face.

After a couple of turns on the dance floor, his face got closer to mine and he talked to me. Told me stories about a lot of the people in that room. Our whispered conversation, so private even though we were surrounded by a room full of people. He moved like a man who’d been born dancing, and all my worries about face planting out there were swept away as he used his firm, steady grip to lead me where he wanted me.

As the night wore on, the mystery of his world grew even bigger. People were talking mergers and acquisitions, golfing, yachting and every manner of things so far out of my league, I couldn’t even comprehend that being my everyday life. Rhys was at ease, so in control of everyone around him. People deferred to him in almost every conversation. Waiting for his reply before they made up their minds about something and he took it in stride. I’d also never seen him smile so much before. This person he was in public was the one I remembered from the news stories and magazine covers, but he wasn’t anything like the man I’d shared the same apartment with over the past few months.

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