He laughs. “My fierce woman.”
The limo pulls to a stop outside of one of the most exclusive hotels in Houston, and minutes later the driver opens the door for us.
Jarrod squeezes my hand. “Are you ready?”
I can do this.
“I’m ready.”
Jarrod moves around me and once he’s exited the car, he holds his hand out for me. I wrap my fingers around his outstretched hand and taking a deep breath, allow him to pull me from the car. The minute I’m on my feet, flashes of light causes me to stumble, but Jarrod pulls me completely against him.
“It’s only a couple of photographs. They capture all the guests as they arrive,” Jarrod whispers with a quick wink. “Don’t worry about them.” He kisses my forehead, which has me believing it’s one of his favorite spots.
He slides his arm around my waist to my hip as he moves us forward. People turn and watch and with Jarrod’s quick movements, I find myself inside of a huge ballroom filled with others in their evening splendor. So far Jarrod has avoided people who I sensed wanted to talk to him, which makes me happy.
Approaching the dance floor, Jarrod squeezes my hip and nudges me onto the floor. I smile and wrap my arms around his shoulders while he pulls me flush against his hard body, his hands caresses along my back.
“Relax, honey,” he whispers, dipping his head and kissing me sweetly on my waiting lips. “Mmm,” he groans. “I shouldn’t have tasted you in public.” He licks his lips. “All I can think about is taking more.”
I move against him, unable to miss how his body reacts to me. He growls and hauls me closer as I rest my head against his shoulder, my face snuggled into the crook of his neck.
The subtle scent of his cologne makes my heart beat faster as I nuzzle against him.
“Ivy,” he groans, his hands shaking.
I smile against his neck. “Think how sweet it will be when we’re home, and you can finally peel the dress from me…and claim your present.”
His breaths come quick and heavy and when I chance a quick look up, his eyes are blazing heat. I can’t look away and it takes everything in both of us to get ourselves back under control when we’re not too politely interrupted.
With reluctance, Jarrod lifts his gaze and I feel him tense against me. I can read him like a book, and his reaction tells me he doesn’t like the person who is behind me.
I lift my head and moving my arm so that it’s wrapped around Jarrod’s waist, I face the person who needs teaching some manners.
What I find is a beautiful blonde woman who is probably around Jarrod’s age. She ignores me completely while making eyes at Jarrod whose jaw is hard with tension.
“I didn’t know you were bringing your daughter to this event.”
We don’t miss the way she said daughter, as though it’s a bad word. His arm tightens on my waist. “Ana, this is my fiancée, Ivy Sheridan. Ivy, this is Ana Stephens.”
The woman looks me up and down in shock before giving me a sly smile. “I’m a lawyer who often has the pleasure of appearing in Jarrod’s court. It always makes my day seeing Jarrod holding court,” she preens.
“Well,” Jarrod interrupts her and looks at me, “I think we need to mingle.” He briefly glances at Ana before moving me away from her.
His body relaxes and I can’t help myself, and chuckle. “She’s a vulture, huh?”
He groans. “I dread seeing her name on my schedule.”
I glance around and catch the looks from other women and a few men, and I can’t help wondering, “Do they all think I’m your daughter?” Suddenly the excitement has disappeared, and been replaced with a deep sadness.
Jarrod turns so that I’m against him and with a smile on his beautiful lips, he dips his head and captures my mouth in a searing kiss. When he pulls away my mouth follows. He cups my face and plants another soft kiss to my lips. “I don’t think anyone will have that assumption anymore.” He kisses my cheek and keeping me beside him, introduces me to the District Attorney.
I’ve met the man on a few rare occasions when I’d accompany my father to a party, but the look he gives me now makes me nervous. His wife is younger than him by a few years, and the same as with Ana, she only has eyes for Jarrod.
By the time I’m introduced to the sixth couple, which I can’t even remember the name of because I’ve lost complete interest, their attraction to Jarrod has a ball of anger growing in my stomach.
I know Jarrod is a handsome man, he also has a commanding presence, but I’m finding it rude and insulting how I’m being completely ignored. I mean I’d prefer to blend into the background than being the main attraction, but tonight it really is the rudeness of Jarrod’s business associates that I’m finding annoying.
The evening drags on until we’re all in our seats, Ana being on Jarrod’s opposite side. I’m left to the leering advances of another associate of Jarrod’s who has wandering hands, and if he continues to make a grab for my leg, he’s going to be feeling the stab of my high-heeled sandal in his foot.