CHAPTER 23 — GOOD GIRL

I was quickly swiping my lipstick— in the shade of wine red—over my lips one last time when I heard the doorbell ring. Lennox was here already. I placed a hand over my chest in an attempt to regulate my breathing. Of course he had to be so punctual, that perfectionist.

Fluffing up the top part of my hair, which I had folded into a medium-sized bun, and grabbing my purse, I quickly made my way to the door.

"Holy fuc—fudge!" My eyes widened at the huge display practically covering the entrance to my house; the largest bouquet of the prettiest roses I had ever seen.

"What, you're not allowed to swear? Scared the flowers will wilt off?" Lennox asked, emerging from behind the roses, an amused expression on his face.

I could have easily swooned and collapsed from how scrumptious he looked, clad in a midnight blue tuxedo that somehow managed to match his eyes. My belly fluttered at the ridiculous idea that this incredibly sexy man was all mine for the night.

"The only thing that could do that much damage is the crushing weight of your ego." I shot back with a sweet smile.

"Touché." He rolled his eyes lightly. Clearing his throat and positioning the bouquet properly in a rather dramatic yet charming fashion, he handed them to me. "Beautiful flowers for a beautiful lady."

The gorgeous smile that fleeted to his face was enough to kick-start the warmth that quickly spread through me as I smiled, muttering a small 'thank you'. I still didn't know how to act around him when he was this sweet. Witty conversation, I could pull off. But this? It just left me in a drooling mess.

As he shifted the bouquet away from the door, I saw him suck in a sharp breath as my full body came into view. His eyes trailed, lust driven and quick, from top to bottom and a surge of heat rushed into my cheeks. Nonetheless, I pretended not to notice. I had taken extra care to pick out my outfit for tonight. Every piece of it was designed to lure him, tease him, bait him, and leave him wanting more.

"I'll put these inside," I announced, deliberately turning to feed him with the back view of the dress I wore. It was a fiery red mermaid dress I had specifically picked up for tonight. Strapless and revealing a moderate section of my boobs, the dress also had a slit running from the bottom to my mid-thigh. With a little savings and Val magic, you could work wonders.

Swaying my hips sensually from side to side, I put the bouquet down and locked my apartment, leading the way to Lennox's car and enjoying the hunger and awe in his eyes as he unlocked the front door for me.

For some reason, I was nervous the whole drive. Partly from Lennox's heavy presence making me my body ache the whole time. I tried not to think of everything that could go wrong. It was Christmas after all. Just another one without my family. I had seen missed calls and a few messages from my parents for a few days now. But the guilt brewing in my heart would not let me reply. There was nothing for me in Georgia. Nothing to go back to. Sighing inaudibly, I resolved to kick my worries out of my mind and enjoy tonight like I was supposed to.

As Lennox came to a stop in front of an exquisite event building I had never come across in my long stay in South Barton Groove, my jaw fell open. Rows and rows of Christmas themed lights hung beautifully at the entrance of the building.

"Shall we?" Lennox smiled, stretching out his arm for me and tossing the keys of his Rolls Royce to the valet.

We walked into the party and my eyes widened at the exquisite display; brightly lit chandeliers hung from the high-end ceilings, beautified by Christmas themed decorations, waiters in crisply ironed waistcoats breezed in and out, balancing champagne flutes and appetizers in their hands.

People arrived with convoys and bodyguards, sporting expensive looking tuxedos and dresses. My mouth threatened to fall open in shock each time I sighted people I had only seen on the news and on magazine covers.

"You okay?" Lennox asked, glancing at me in concern.

"Pumped," I answered, giving him a thumbs up.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "What do I do with this woman?"

My cheeks warmed. He was laughing more often these days. It felt nice being able to put a smile on his face. I had almost forgotten how he used to look with his permanently scowled expression. As if he could hear me, he reminded me as a considerably aged man walked towards us, two bodyguards in tow.

"Lennox Wilder; the man of the moment." The man smiled. "Good to see you."

I'd never felt so small and insignificant as I practically shrunk into Lennox's side praying not to get noticed.

Lennox gripped his hand in a handshake as they began to discuss something I wasn't paying attention to.

"Who's your date?" The man finally turned to me, an approving glint in his eyes.

Lennox tightened his hold around my waist, pulling me closer to him. Damn sexy as he was possessive.

"Verity Brooks," I answered, stretching my arm out to him.

To my surprise, he kissed it. "Nicholas Payne. The pleasure is mine."

It took all my self-discipline to keep from gaping stupidly at him. I just shook hands with Nicholas Payne. He was a world-famous art guru who had started his career with street painting. I had read comics about him while growing up. Before I could recover to say anything else, he had walked away.

I turned to Lennox. "That was Nicholas Payne!" I tried to withhold the excitement and failed.

He didn't bat an eyelid. "Yeah."

"He's a fucking legend, Lennox."

He laughed. "I've known him since I was a boy."

I glared at him. "Killjoy. Kindly let me bask in this experience, thank you very much." I gazed at my hand. "I'm never washing this hand." I decided, grabbing a glass of champagne from a waiter who walked our way.

Lennox looked at me in amusement. "Are you always this subtle?"

"You have no idea." I shot back, biting back my laughter.

The night went by slowly. In less than two hours—between having dinner and dancing to the music from the classic band—I had met enough famous and influential people to do me for a lifetime. It was intimidating, exhilarating, and tiring all at once. Surprisingly, Lennox had never made me feel for once that I didn't belong here. We walked hand in hand the entire night talking, laughing, and quietly bickering. I would never admit it to him but being with him for this long felt amazing, like we were starting all over again. I couldn't say the same for the party. For such a luxurious event, it was quite... boring. Maybe it was just me. But that's how it felt. But Lennox's hungry glances at me at intervals gave me something to bask in something to look forward to at the end of the evening. Occasionally, I would move seductively, pretending not to notice as he ravished me with his eyes.

As Lennox and I stood at a table talking, a familiar looking man walked towards us. I scrunched up my face as I tried to remember where I had met him.

His face broke into a smile as he came to a stop, and I saw Lennox give his first genuine handshake and greeting this evening.

"Verity, right?" The man who I now recognized as Cole De Antonio grinned, taking my hand and placing a light peck on the back of my palm.

I returned the smile. "Nice to see you again, Cole."

"You look beautiful tonight, V." He complimented, earning a blush for me. I muttered a few words of thanks. "Hope this jerk is treating you well?"

Lennox folded his arms in amusement, facing me.

I imitated his gesture. "He's doing alright."

Lennox let out a low laugh. "Alright? I've been the perfect gentleman."

I only scoffed in reply.

"Enjoying the party?" Cole asked, sipping his champagne.

"You mean having anything but fun in a room full of disgustingly rich people? Why not?" I gave a sour smile.

Cole nearly choked on his drink.

"She's a keeper." He chuckled, turning to Lennox. "Feisty as a tiger and not afraid to speak her mind. The perfect match to keep you in check."

"Yeah, she's on my Christmas wish list. My very own bundle of joy," Lennox said dryly.

I nudged him hard enough in the ribs to earn a laugh from Cole. Turns out Cole was the best company we'd had all evening. And the only one who actually acted like they wanted to talk to me. I was actually a bit sad when he had to leave. We bade him goodbye and headed to leave as it was getting late.

Lennox gripped me by the hips as I moved to get into the ca, spinning me around to face him. "Having you here with me made tonight a lot more bearable," he whispered, sending a tingle up my spine. I needed his strong hands all over me... not just on my hips.

A blush stole it’s way to my cheeks. "Well, I guess I could say the same about you. Thanks for inviting me." I managed, trying to compose myself.

His eyes held a wicked glint. “The pleasure was all mine. You put up a pretty good show.” His hands moved sensually down my thighs. “Swaying your hips, rubbing against me on intervals - you haven’t been a good girl tonight, Verity.” Lennox’s voice grew husky.

There was that shiver again, causing my heart to race. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Hmm, really? Do you know how much I had to restrain myself from making us leave early, just so that I can rip this tempting clothe off your body?”

The breath left my lungs, his hungry eyes devouring me from just that stare. I could feel the desire starting to build in me, the need to have him do with me whatever he pleased. “It’s getting late, Lennox. Let’s…leave.”

His eyes held mine for a while, then he gave off this little mischievous smile and nodded, before pulling the car door open for me. When we were both in, he drove for a while, soft music from the stereo filling the car. The ride was thick with tension and the sweet possibilities that hung in the air.

"Come home with me.” He blurted out of nowhere.

My breath hitched. "I have a house, Lennox. In case you've forgotten." I shook my head, trying to laugh it off.

"Your roommate isn't home, you'll be bored."

"And your house is an amusement park?" I asked, folding my arms.

Lennox chuckled. "Unfortunately, it's not. But you'd have me..."

"Gee, what an honor. I'm so lucky." I put in dryly.

"You’ll even get to see Shayetta."

"Hmm," I muttered, pretending to think about it. In truth, I did want to go home with him. My heart had already begun to rage from thinking of all the things that could happen with Lennox and I cooped up in his house. I wanted him to coax me. Secretly, I hoped he wouldn't give up easily.

"Come on." He pleaded. "Don’t tell me that you’re not even a little bit curious to know what inside my home’s like."

I hid my flustered emotions by rolling my eyes. "Fine, okay. I am a teensy weensy curious."

His lips turned up in a mischievous smile as he drank me in with his eyes, sending my already galloping heart flying.

“Don’t worry, you’ll have a good time. I promise.”