Chapter 21 Dance With Me
Celeste-
I regretted the words the moment they left my mouth. I should have been more adamant about going by myself. But his words weren't far from the truth; Grandmother had only ruined my day with her trap presented as a proposition.
FLASHBACK:
"What proposition, Grandmother?"
She leaned forward, grinning like she had won before she even began. "I know this place was your mother's heart and yours too. I dismissed it before, and for that, I'll admit I was blind. But now I see it clearly. This is what you wanted, isn't it? Your freedom."
My eyes widened in surprise. For a moment, I almost thought that there had been a small crack in her stone heart. I was wrong.
"That's why you ran into his arms, why you defied me. You wanted to prove you could stand on your own. Well...here's your chance.
I will fund every brick, every oven, and every hand you'll need to build this place. In return, you'll do what I ask. Three months from today, you'll walk away from him. Annul it. Clean break, perfect for the media to eat up. Just say the word, and the shop you've always dreamed of will be yours." She smiled, like I was nothing more than an investor in the boardroom.
My jaw clenched, my chest tightening with fury. It was a tempting offer, almost like the devil had personally sent her. But clearly, this wasn't about me. In the end, it was about her selfish interest.
Rising to my feet, I dusted imaginary wrinkles off my dress, then let my hands rest on the table. Her sharp eyes met mine, narrowing so tightly that the crow's feet were all I could see. It was one of her many "gestures of intimidation," but I didn't budge.
My heart raced, but my eyes burned with determination as I plainly declined her offer.
"No."
"Excuse me?" She replied, leaning back like the seat had somehow had obstructed her hearing,
I didn't mind. I didn't think. All I knew was:
"You heard me, Grandmother. I don't need your help." I paused, watching her expression shift like I had said something almost abominable. My defiance this time had finally gotten under her skin, and for me, it felt like victory all over again.
With my heart nearly on the verge of denotation, I turned on my heels and walked back to my office.
END OF FLASHBACK
I had barely survived dinner and the dishes, and now I had once again gotten myself entangled with Lucien.
The ride to the venue was silent, the air thick with tension. I didn't mind, it was better than trying to pass time with some senseless chatter to make things less awkward.
When we arrived, Lucien made sure I waited for him to open the car's door for me. Then the entrance door-which seemed out of character-even though I barely knew him. Then he gestured for me to place my arm in his, so we walked arm in arm.
The entrance was private, so we weren't badgered by anyone. The event was an anniversary party for a semi-famous jewelry brand, Diamonds & Diane.
We walked in, and as always, this shimmering world didn't feel like mine. The chandeliers hung from the ceiling like glowing crowns and pieces of art. The people underneath donned immaculate suits and pristine gowns, almost like they were perfect. A string quartet softly played in a corner, but their notes were drowned by chatter, laughter and the clinking of glasses.
The air was a mixture of expensive perfume and savory scent. Yet I could almost name everything I smelled. For a moment, I welcomed the distraction-until I felt Lucien's warm hands over mine.
I looked up at him, then in the room, and realized that everyone was watching. Judging. Clearly, it was impossible to ignore a red dress and a handsome young man.
Whispers and murmurs trailed behind as my hands instinctively clutched tight to Lucien. He was the only thing grounding me.
Coming here was a mistake, but now, it was too late for regrets. So I held my head, and glided across the room- the Ashford Heiress had been trained her entire life to grace with her presence-until I saw some familiar faces, older, but friendly.
I quietly let myself slip out of his arms as I walked towards them, greeting and returning their feigned smiles with mine. To New York City's high society, I was currently a disgrace. And they made sure I knew that even without words.
I excused myself to the bar at one end of the hall. At least from here I was the judge.
"I'll take your recommendation on a red," I told the waiter.
"Certainly. May I suggest the Merlet? It's one of our finest tonight, very soft on the palate."
"Sure." I nodded.
I took the first few sips, from the corner of my eye, Lucien was talking to someone. Yet he was watching me like a predatory animal. Like he was waiting in patience for me to screw up. Even with the air conditioning, I felt suffocated. I didn't know how fast my heart thumped against my chest, but the music wasn't enough to drown the sound from my own ears.
I took a few more sips, skimming the room for any sight of David. Finally, like an angel, he showed up with an apology.
"I didn't think you'd show up, but then I heard whispers of your name somewhere in the crowd."
I let out a small laugh, tilting my head to lean against my arm on the counter. On the other side of room, Lucien made small talks. Then he didn't.
My heart raced as he walked over with a deadpan expression, but I let my face remain neutral. I couldn't let him see the effect he had on me.
Why was he even here? I wondered.
"Ah, you must be the husband of the hour," David cheerfully greeted, extending his hand. Lucien took it, but I could see the darkness in his eyes and the firmness in his grip.
Was he jealous?
I took another small sip of the wine, clearing my throat.
At that moment, he freed David, turning to me, "Let's dance."
Dance? I almost choked on the wine. I couldn't dance to save my life. I shook my head, lips parted in protest, but he was already slipping my glass over to the waiter.
"Don't worry," He assured, his eyes glinting with something I could place. "Just follow my lead."
With that, he gently took my hand, leading me to the middle of the dance floor that suddenly felt like a court. And as if on cue, the quartet shifted to a sultry tone, setting the mood to something almost forbidden.
Instead of the formal stance, Lucien had my back pressed against his chest. Without warning, his hands travelled down my side, sitting low and pressing firmly on my waist until heat radiated from beneath my dress. My cheeks flushed, and all I knew was that my heart had gotten stuck in my throat.
"What are you doing?" I whispered breathlessly.
"Let it move through you, Celeste," he murmured, his lips close enough to rouse every tiny hair on the nape of my neck.
He guided me with ease, each step drawing me further under his spell. My body moved with his, far too intimate for a dance in public. His hand at my waist guided me with gentle tugs that sent shivers racing down my spine.
I should have stopped him. I should have cared that dozens of eyes were on us. But the longer we moved, the less I remembered where we were. My heart pounded, my breath caught, and when he spun me back into his arms, a sound soft, escaped my lips before I could bite it back.
The guests saw only a dance. But I knew better. Every step was laced with a tension that only us could feel.
Then in a final move, he dipped me low, his gaze locking me in place as the world fell away. My chest heaved from the effort, but that was the least of my concerns.
My gaze flicked to his lips, then back to his eyes-only to betray me and fall to his mouth once more. Against my will, mine parted, craving a kiss I didn't dare to claim.
Suddenly, the spell broke with a burst of clapping, the crowd blissfully unaware of the storm that had passed between us.
I slipped from his grip, a sudden need for air overwhelming me.
My steps carried me to the stairs that led up to a balcony overlooking the city, glittering in its night glory. Each breath came sharp and shaky. What was I even doing? My world was falling apart, yet I had just danced with a stranger I called my husband.
"Are you alright?"
The familiar voice cut through my thoughts. David.
I forced a smile, nodding. "I just needed to catch my breath."
He chuckled softly. "No kidding. That dance was... breathtaking."
I smiled, realizing he had twisted my words back at me. "I see what you did there." I sniffed, "what are you doing up here?"
"You know that event planners are humans too. Sometimes we get exhausted and want to disappear from the chaos-"
"Oh, you mean the chaos you created with your own hands?" I laughed,
He stifled a laugh. "Touché." Then leaned against the balcony rail, exhaling as though he had been holding his breath for hours.
"You'd think after months of planning, I'd actually get to enjoy the party," he said.
I tilted my head at him. "You mean to tell me you haven't even had a bite to eat?"
"Not unless you count snagging a canapé off a passing tray like a starving wolf."
I laughed. "That explains the look on your face. You're not tired, you're hungry."
His lips twitched. "Guilty. Though disappearing up here helped. The noise downstairs..." He shook his head. "Too much."
"Agreed," I admitted softly. "Sometimes being surrounded by so many people only makes you feel more alone."
He glanced at me then, his expression shifting-gentle, almost protective. "You're not alone, you know."
Something in his tone made my chest tighten, though I couldn't explain why. Suddenly, his gaze lingered on me, as if he were weighing something.
"Celeste..." he began hesitantly,
My breath caught, waiting.
But then he shook his head, tossing me a feigned smile. "Never mind. Forget it... Um, I have to head back to the chaos I created. Got to keep it in check."
I laughed as I watched him walk away, but all I could think of was what he was about to say.