Show & Sell

These past few weeks have taught me that.

Actually, I feel glad that I managed to save my virginity for this long. It was well worth the wait. Even if these guys are playboys, it has all been worth it.

But if I’m honest with myself, I have to admit that I’m starting to fall for each of them. Granted, I don’t know Declan very well yet, but his energy is infectious.

I see a black Mercedes pull up in front of the building, and I know it’s him. He doesn’t get out. I have no chance to see him before our date.

Instead, my phone buzzes, and I answer it.

“Hello?”

“Hi, Aurora. It’s me. Come down and meet me. I’m here.”

“Okay,” I say, having to muster all of my strength just to get that word out.

I don’t know what to say to him. I don’t know how to be around him. I’m so fucking nervous.

I leave the apartment and am happy to do so. I’m walking into my future…with Declan.

Downstairs, he’s waiting in front of his Mercedes. He comes over and opens the door, but not before planting a kiss on my cheek.

The feel of his lips on my skin is tantalizing. Sparks are flying between us already. All in one instant, I remember what happened the night he stole my virginity.

Did he really steal it? I think I gave it up willingly. I think that being with him was the best choice I’ve ever made in my life.

I get into his luxurious car and somehow feel very protected from the outside world. Being with him makes me feel calm.

Despite all my nerves and my anticipation of this evening, there’s something about Declan that’s familiar to me.

He gets in the driver’s seat, and we speed away.Chapter 33Declan

She’s wearing a lacy, black thing, and I can’t keep my eyes off her.

I feel like sliding my hand up Aurora’s skirt and feeling the wetness between her thighs, but I resist.

“Wow, look at you,” I whistle. “You got prettier, if possible,” I say, smiling at the beauty next to me.

Not waiting for her to say anything back, I allow my hand to graze her knee, and I feel her shiver underneath my touch.

“Thanks for inviting me out,” she smiles. “So we’re going to an art opening or something, huh?”

I smile deceptively and say, “Yeah, something like it.”

Then I take her hand in my own and kiss it before saying, “You know I’ve missed you.”

Her eyes are wide, “You have?”

I look at her. How can she not know how fucking gorgeous she is? Of course I missed her—every damn day since I first laid eyes on her.

“You’ve been on my mind a lot, baby,” I admit the truth as we speed through the streets to our final destination.

We pull up outside the venue, and there’s a red carpet and photographers and everything.

“Oh my God,” Aurora says. “I wasn’t expecting all this.”

I smile and get out to let the valet take over.

I personally open the door for her, and as I take her hand in mine I say, “Stick with me. You’ll do fantastically well.”

She takes a deep breath, and we approach the crowd of people. They take our picture, and I idly think how my brothers might wake to see our names splashed all over the papers.

I don’t care. I have the most gorgeous woman on my arm, and tonight will be fucking memorable.

“Thanks for agreeing to tonight. The event has been sold out for months,” I say, looking over casually at the beauty beside me.

“I didn’t know it would be this much fanfare,” she says, holding my hand tightly.

“Just smile and wave,” I say as we walk the red carpet.

Then at last we’re inside the venue, a nice gallery space downtown. I go about getting my date a drink, considering her nerves are at an all-time high. I can feel her tremble slightly, and I just want to appease that.

The minute we enter the building, I feel eyes on us. We’re the hottest couple in the place.

Everyone wants to be us. No one can compare.

I might sound a little too confident, but that’s because with the Grayson name come certain high standards. I’m here to represent the business my father built, as well as myself as a featured artist.

“Champagne?” I ask, grabbing some drinks off a passing tray.

“Oh, sure. I would love some,” Aurora says.

Aurora ‘s eyes are all over the place. She’s watching the crowd. There are industry people everywhere—photographers, models, editors, and artists.

“I forgot to mention that this was an erotic showing,” I say, sipping the bubbly fluid.

“I can see that,” she says wryly.

Everyone is watching us. Even the photographers take pictures. That’s when I realize that tonight will not be a secret.

The press here will for sure release the photos by morning. My brothers will know I broke my promise.