97

97
AUTHOR’S POV

The ballroom glowed the same way all the fancy events the elite attended did, but at the centre of the glow was Kieran and Artemis.

Artemis was tucked perfectly into Kieran’s side. They fitted so perfectly together that all eyes were on them the minute they stepped into the room.

There was something different about them from when they attended all the other events than this one. The guests couldn’t point it out but they were intrigued.

Artemis had this graceful aura around her as she was tucked safely into her husband’s smile and Kieran had the smug expression as he held on to his wife protectively.

Whispers surged around the room.

“I don’t think I ever noticed them before but they look so perfect together”

“No, seriously. Are you seeing the way he looks at her? If my man doesn’t look at me that way then I don’t want him”

“It’s insane seeing Kieran everywhere with her. Didn’t he used to avoid all these parties? I wish someone would change for me as well”

Artemis heard the whispers as they walked to the middle of the room. It was hard not to since most of them were barely whispering and she was sure Kieran could hear them as well.

She felt proud to be talked about like that. It felt amazing for people to finally agree that she belonged with Kieran.

“Hey, baby. Are you good?” Kieran whispered in her ears when they got to their table and she smiled.

“Stop asking that else people would think I’m not happy to be here” she said, amusement obvious on her place.

His mouth curved into a fond smile. “So what? My baby is my priority no matter what. Who cares what others think? As long as you are fine, that’s all that matters”

She wanted to call him corny but she loved it so much she couldn’t help but giggle.

“Excuse us but can we steal your wife for a minute?” A group of women Artemis had never seen or spoken to before manifested beside them with eerie grins that made her uneasy.

“Uhmm” Artemis glanced up to Kieran, silently begging him to save her but his eyes gleamed with trouble.

“Please go ahead. I have some business discussions to do and need someone to keep her company” Kieran said, pulling her chair closer and kissing the side of the head which made the women swoon.

“I can do business discussions too” Artemis argued softly with a pout. “Are you seriously sending me away?”

“That can never happen and you know it,” Kieran cupped a jaw. “I’m going to be right at your side before you know it. Now, go socialise and get to know these beautiful ladies” The women blushed, happy with the term Kieran had used to describe them.

“Come on. Have fun” Kieran turned to the ladies “Okay, ladies”

The women pulled Artemis to a corner before she could protest.

“Oh my God, if happiness was a person, it would be you right now” one of the women coped when they sat at a bigger round table at the corner of the room. “By the way, my name is Catherine Walker. My husband owns Sky Media”

“I’m Artemis Archibald” She replied.

“Oh, trust me. We know” the women shared knowing glances and teasing grins.

They all introduced themselves as well but Artemis could barely remember their names.

“Can you tell us your secret?” Amanda, whose husband owned the best ice rink in the country.

“Trust me, I don’t have any secret. I’m just incredibly lucky” she laughed.

The women shared a knowing glance before Catherine spoke up. “We all heard about your marriage with Van. Honestly, he got what he deserved. Have you heard from him since?”

Artemis tensed but she relaxed. “No.” And she hoped she didn’t see him again. She hadn’t bother to search up news on him. He didn’t matter anymore.

“Honestly? Good for you. You don’t need that bad energy around you” Hope, the wife of a soccer team club owner chirped in.

The women all agreed and Artemis was happy that the discussion ended there. She didn’t feel comfortable talking about Van more than was necessary.

Kieran appeared after a few minutes and Artemis jumped out of her sit, plastering herself at his side.

“Thank you for keeping her company” he smiled like a perfect gentleman.

“It was a pleasure. Artemis is such a delight to talk to” Amanda responded happily.

“Did you have fun?” Kieran asked as they walked back to their seats.

“As much fun that I could have without you being there” she answered honestly. “I missed you” she said.

Kieran had to keep his cool composure else he would have grinned like a mad man.

“Now, that’s not a fair game, Mrs Archibald” he pinched her lips and she gasped.

“Kier!” She warned slightly but he feigned ignorance as he pulled her chair so she could sit.

“Are you mad?” He asked when he saw she was sporting a pout even after he sat down.

Artemis didn’t answer so Kieran pulled her chair to his side, startling her and he kissed her deeply, blurring out the shocked gasps around them.

Artemis melted into the kiss immediately. She had to stop herself from wrapping her hands around him to deepen the kiss as she forced herself to remember where they were.

When he pulled back, he had a smug expression on his face and she was blushing hard.

“You did that on purpose” she accused and he grinned.

“I did it because I missed you” he said and she melted again. Kieran didn’t play a fair game.

“You’re impossible,” Artemis muttered, but she could barely hide her smile.

“I’ve been told,” he replied, eyes gleaming.

Later when they were in the car on the way home, Artemis turned to him with an accusing glare. “You enjoyed that far too much”

Once they were finally free of the crowd, Artemis smacked his arm lightly. “You enjoy that far too much.”

“Touching my wife when I want to? Of course I enjoyed it” he grinned and kissed her again. God, he loved kissing her all the time.

There was something on her mind and she didn’t know if she should say it.

“Out with it” Kieran, knowing his wife like the back of his hand commanded softly when he saw the expression on her face.

She hesitated only a moment before speaking. “I like it.”

“Like what?”

“When you do that,” she said quietly. “When you… claim me. Publicly.”

His smile turned teasing. “You’re admitting this?”

She rolled her eyes, but there was no real denial in her voice. “Don’t get smug.”

“Oh, I absolutely will,” he said, laughing softly. “You should know, I don’t do subtle very well when it comes to you.”

She watched him for a moment, something warm unfurling in her chest. “I noticed.”

Kieran’s tone softened as he pulled her closer so she was resting on his chest “I like telling the world you belong to me.”

“Me too” she admitted.