Marx Girl

The hallway opens up to a large ballroom and I look around in wonder. It’s gorgeous and exactly how I pictured it would be. It has huge chandeliers hanging from the highest ceilings I have ever seen. It’s pure luxury at its finest, like something out of a movie. There’s a string quartet playing. “Oh, my God,” I breathe.

Ben grabs two glasses from a passing tray. “One glass won’t hurt, will it?” he asks with a raised brow.

Our eyes linger on each other and I sip my Champagne. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you when I start taking my clothes off.”

He smiles sexily and clinks his glass with mine. “Promises, promises.”

Ben’s eyes start to roam over the crowd. “Do you see them?” I ask.

“Not yet,” he answers, distracted. It’s then that I notice all the people around us doing a double take when they see us together. “What are they looking at?” I whisper.

Ben’s eyes flick back to mine. “You.”

“Why?” I frown.

“They didn’t know I got married,” he explains. “They’re shocked.”

My eyes widen. “Oh, shit, I nearly forgot about that.”

He raises his eyebrow in question. “Do I need to take that Champagne off you? One sip and you already forgot you were married.”

I smile up at him goofily. “Probably.”

“Buzz!” a man calls. Ben turns and shakes his hand. “Hello.” He smiles. “Please meet my wife.” He gestures to me. “This is Bridget.” His eyes lovingly linger on my face.

My heart swells in my chest. Oh, what a lovely introduction that is.

“Hello, nice to meet you.” The man shakes my hand.

“Hello.” I smile nervously.

“Did you get away?” the man asks, and they begin talking. I detach from their conversation and look around. Buzz… I wonder why they call him that.

Some men have nametags on their uniforms. All of them have medals, although Ben seems to have the most. Some men are dressed in normal clothing, and there are a few women dressed in uniform, but the rest are in evening-wear. Hmm. Who’s who around here?

“Lovely to meet you, Bridget.” The man smiles.

“Yes, you, too,” I reply. He disappears in the crowded room. As people walk past they all nod in acknowledgement of Ben. He seems very well-respected and also seems to know everyone.

He starts to scan the room with his eyes.

“So, tell me about this,” I say. “Why are some people in uniform and others not?”

“Depends on their ranking,” he murmurs, distracted.

“The men with medals but no nametags… who are they?” I ask as I sip my Champagne. Hmm. I eye my glass. This is good stuff.

“Delta.”

I frown. “What’s Delta?” I ask.

“Elite Delta Force. My old squadron.”

“Oh.” I frown. “So, they don’t wear nametags?”

“No, their identity is protected.”

Hmm. Interesting.

His eyes continue to roam over the crowd.

“Who exactly are you looking for?” I ask as I cover my lips with my Champagne flute.

“Two people in particular…” he murmurs distractedly.

My eyes widen. “You mean?” Oh shit, he’s looking for the guys who tried to kill him. I was hoping he’d forgotten about them.

He clenches his jaw as he continues his search.

“Are we in danger here tonight?” I whisper, worried.

He puts his arm around me and kisses my temple. “No, baby. They are.”

Fuck.

“Who are the people in normal suits?” I ask to try and distract him.

“Diplomats.”

Suddenly the temperature rises and I become nervous. Did he come here to kill those men? “What are you going to do, Ben?” I whisper in a panic. It never occurred to me that he could be here for revenge.

He puts his hand on my hip.

“Hey…”

Three men interrupt him before he answers.

Ben laughs cheekily and shakes their hands. I can tell from his demeanour that they’re close. Then their attention turns to me. “This is Matt, Ethan, and Jed. Three of my closest friends,” he introduces.

These must be the friends he was telling me about that he went through the ranks with. I smile broadly as I recognise them from the photograph I looked at the other day. “Hello.” I shake their hands

“This is my Bridget,” Ben announces proudly as his eyes linger lovingly on my face.

Oh, I love the way he looks at me when he introduces me. I swoon.

His Bridget.

The men are all very polite, and I stand nervously as they chat. I just wish I could get a photo of them to send to Abbie. She would have an orgasm on the spot if she saw how hot these guys are.

Off the hook.

They’re all masculine, and huge like Ben. Ethan has black hair and olive skin. Jed has honey hair, and the most beautiful smile I have ever seen on a man. And Matt… well, he’s just ridiculous. I don’t need to worry about getting drunk on the Champagne. The testosterone in the air will get me as high as a kite.

Another man walks over and the boys all laugh. He’s holding a gorgeous pregnant woman’s hand. Ben leans in and kisses her, and then they turn to me. “Ally, this is Bridget,” he introduces. “Bridget, this is Rick and Ally. Ally gets stuck hanging out with us lot.”