GENESIS
As we stepped out, there were so many people outside. My heart began to race.
Bright lights flashed. Loud clicks. Strange equipment. So many eyes.
I froze for a second, instinctively shrinking in on myself, but Kier's hand tightened around my waist, grounding me. Possessive. Protective.
His fingers dug into my side, like he could sense the panic rising in my chest.
You're okay, I told myself. You're with him.
I glanced up at him.
His jaw was sharp, his expression cold, that boss face on. But when he looked down at me for just a moment, something flickered behind his eyes. Something warm. Reassuring.
He didn't say anything. He didn't have to.
He simply nodded.
So I nodded back, small, just for him.
We started walking together, slowly. Strange flashes. People turned. I felt their stares. Their whispers. But I clung to Kier's side like a lifeline, every step heavy with nerves.
And yet… a small part of me felt proud.
I wasn't that scared little girl right now.
I was his wife.
And it sent a rush of warmth through my stomach.
Inside, the ballroom was even more overwhelming. Elegant. Opulent. Chandeliers hung like stars, and the air smelled like expensive perfume and wine. Soft music played in the background, almost drowned out by the hum of conversation.
Kier kept me close. Too close. Like if he let go, someone would try to take me away.
His lips brushed against my ear, his voice low and soft, sending a shiver down my spine.
"Stay close. Do not leave my side. Do I make myself clear?"
He stopped and turned to me. The seriousness in his eyes made me nod rapidly.
"Good girl," he said, then leaned down to whisper, "I have a surprise for you when we get home, okay?"
My eyes went wide. A surprise?
I looked up at him. His eyes were so dark that I could barely make out his irises.
But just then, a familiar voice called out.
"Kier, you made it!"
We both turned, and there she was—Veronica. She wore a bold red gown that hugged her curves so tightly, I wondered how the hell she got into it. It looked painted on. Her hair was styled in braids, so beautiful, and her lips matched the color of her dress. The heels she wore were so high, she was almost at Kier's shoulder, and Kier was tall.
Kier smiled at her, that same charming smile that still made butterflies stir in my stomach. Even with those damn cheek dimples—no matter how much I hated them, they just made him ridiculously handsome. And he was giving her that look.
And I felt an odd emotion twist in my chest.
So he gets to smile at other women, but it's against the rules for me to smile at men—even his friend?
Veronica stepped in, brushing a kiss on each of Kier's cheeks, and he let her. That bothered me more than it should have. She smelled like vanilla and looked like every man's dangerous fantasy. She didn't even look my way.
"Wow," she purred, her eyes raking over him. "Still as dangerously handsome as ever, I see."
Kier chuckled, low and polite. "You haven't changed either, Veronica. Still dramatic."
She laughed like it was a secret only they shared, her fingers brushing his sleeve a second too long before she finally looked at me.
"And you brought your little wife," she said, tilting her head, her lips curling into a smile that felt more like a challenge than a greeting.
I gave a small nod, lifting my hand to wave hello, but she was already turning back to Kier, as though I were part of the décor and not his partner.
"She's beautiful," she said, eyes fixed on him, not me. "So soft… and quiet. Interesting choice for you."
Heat rose to my cheeks. My fingers twitched at my sides, but I dared not react. This was his friend; he'd known her longer than he knew me.
But he didn't say anything. He just laughed it off. Then they started talking about something—something about a person who was here. I tuned them out, glancing around, knowing I couldn't really contribute to their conversation.
Suddenly, I felt a hand on my jaw. "Should I be jealous of the hall?"
I turned to look at Kier and found that Veronica was gone. I stared up at him, unsure of what to say. He just kept looking at me, and I quickly looked away. His laughter, brushing off what she'd said, still echoed in my head.
He was about to speak when a cough came from behind us.
I looked up and found a tall, handsome man with blond hair standing there, a small smile on his face.
"Kier, you made it. I heard from your father that you might not make it to this year's Aurora Hearts Gala," the man said. His voice had a rich, baritone quality, the kind that could never bore you.
Kier gave him a small smile. "Well, here I am." They shook hands, and then the man's eyes turned to me. They were intense, like they could see right through me.
"And who is this beauty with you?" he asked, his gaze lingering.
I pressed closer to Kier, suddenly feeling a wave of discomfort. The man's eyes narrowed, as if sensing my unease.
"This is my wife, Genesis Blackwood," Kier replied, his voice off.
The man's eyes widened in surprise, then he quickly schooled his expression, nodding politely. "She's indeed a beauty," he said, flashing a charming smile. Then he extended his hand toward me, clearly expecting a handshake.
A memory of Kier's earlier smile with Veronica flashed through my mind, and something stirred inside me—an emotion I didn't know I was capable of showing. Fear slipped to the back of my mind.
I placed my hand in his, despite kier's rule and he took it gently, brushing his lips against my knuckles in a lingering kiss. It irked me more than I cared to admit, but I kept smiling.
"I'm Keenan Dane. Nice to meet you," he said, letting go of my hand.
I kept smiling, and a cold shiver ran through me but I reached for my purse, trying to grab my notepad. But before I could, a firm grip on my pelvic region stopped me. I looked up at Kier, when a loud sound echoed in the room.
A man had taken the stage, tapping a fork against a glass cup.
"Can I get your attention, please?" the stout man called out.
Keenan turned to us, smirking. "Will you excuse me, please?" he asked, then gave a s
light bow toward me, which I returned with a smile. He smirked at Kier again, then turned and walked away.