Page 130 of Falling for the Wife

“Here we go,” I muttered under my breath.

This was the first time I was accompanying him to anything, so the pressure was on. With my aloof persona in place, I trotted in my champagne colored, tight-hugging bodice of a dress that stopped at my knees, but the dress was so tight that I could barely walk a foot apart in my gold, five-inch stilettos. There was only one thing I aimed at, wearing a dress like this, and that was to be noticed. Not by others, but by Callum. It was a normal attempt for a woman to entice a man this way, but I had to work with what I had. He liked his women this way and, at times—like when I had to work tonight—I sometimes put extra care into my appearance. So maybe I just went overboard with this one in particular. I mean, if his heart was unavailable, I sure as hell didn’t want him to check out other women while he was with me. There was also the fact that I wanted to be remembered by him later on down the years…

I didn’t have to walk far; the man stood in the middle of the foyer—not on the side, but right there in the middle—with people milling and walking past him, dressed in a tux. I was immediately in a depraved sexual riot. The second I spotted him, my whole body and mind shifted. I was entering into Callum Kensington’s domain, hypnotized and entranced by the power he exuded. The man simply commanded it.

He looked formidable. Commanding. Stoic. An elegant rogue with an edge of danger to it. “Stella, you look…” Callum trailed off, disconcerted, before he bent his head and aimed for my ear. “Please tell me you have some sort of undergarment in this dress?” he hissed into it.

He was a man who knew the woman’s body and underwear well, huh. I was far from pleased. In fact, that bothered me a great deal. “I didn’t want any lines. And as for the bra, you can see how that’s not going to work, either.”

“It’s obscene,” Callum hissed, furious even. “I can practically imagine what you look like naked.”

That was the point, but never mind. His reaction was enough to douse me to face reality. “If you want me to leave, just say so. I have work to do anyway,” I managed to blurt out. I wanted to gouge his eyes out. It took a few hours to be prepped to the point of looking like this… and now he tells me that I looked obscene? Did he not go parading around town with women dressed in far less than what I was wearing now? Fucking prick! I simmered.

Out of the blue, Callum quickly tensed. His jaws locked as he looked past me. “My father and Zara are coming towards us.”

“What!” I hissed, not sure if I was about to laugh or cry. However, even before I had the chance to decide, I heard a man’s throat being cleared behind me.

“Nice to see you here, son,” Charles Kensington greeted Callum just as I was moving to Callum’s side, facing the intruders.

He was younger looking somehow and not what I had imagined him to be. Callum’s looks definitely were inherited from his maternal side.

Charles then found me; blue eyes assessing me head to foot. “Stella von Berg and a Kensington together. What a lovely pairing. Glad you finally took my heed and found yourself a wealthy heiress worthy to marry.”

What was I to say to that kind of tacky comment? Mind you, I was rendered speechless,butthat was before I was introduced to Zara. I was decent looking, but next to this woman, I paled in comparison. No wonder Callum couldn’t get over her.

“Pleasure to meet you, Stella.” Zara composed a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. She faced Callum and when their gazes connected,Ieven felt the spark. “Good to see you again, Callum.” Love was so apparent in her dark eyes that I somewhat felt like I was the one intruding in their little eyes-devouring-you-on-the-spot reunion.

Their moment was broken by Charles excusing himself to greet one of his old cronies—who were somewhere across the room—leaving the three of us in a compromising position.

Zara was so focused on Callum that she might’ve forgotten that I was here, too. Callum had yet to utter a damn word, but the man was like a stone, staring holes at the woman he loved.

I stood apoplectic, eyes flickering back and forth before I finally urged myself to move out of the way. “I need to go to the loo.” I excused myself, barely looking at them, and sought for a quiet place to balm my broken heart.

Relief rushed through me when I ventured into another room that was empty except for a few chairs hoisted to the side. From the looks of it, the cleaning party had yet to arrive. How appropriate that I stepped into a room that was someone’s wedding reception.

I was so consumed with forcing myself not to cry that I hadn’t heard the door open. Imagine my fright when I heard someone’s voice asking me if I was okay. “Are you all right?”

My eyes were still glued towards the once-happy celebratory party before me. “Uh huh.”In a couple of minutes or so, I will be.

The mystery person revealed himself by squatting before me, concern etched across his face. “You don’t look it, Stella.”

With a small, quivering smile, I spoke to Derek, “You saw that, huh?”

He nodded solemnly. “Yeah. Why are you with him?” His question was more of a wonder than anything. “You’re dating playboys, one after the other. What the bloody hell for? To get yourself trampled over?” He peered closer, lifting my chin. “You deserve a man that will love you, not play around with you.” He cleared his throat, looking sorry. “I admit, in the beginning I became frustrated with you. I was too focused on wanting you to give it up to me that I forgot how we were together, how you were with me.” He paused. “I didn’t realize this until I started dating again and realized how much I missed you.”

Dear goodness, I couldn’t deal with this now. Not right now. “Derek—”

“I’d give everything to have another chance with you again.”

This was sad. “I’m in love with him,” I admitted bravely. “There’s no hope for me.”

“Guessed as much. He doesn’t see it, though. I doubt he sees any woman, if at all.” Derek gathered me up and held me tight. “We all love and learn. Someday, you’ll love again.” He kissed my cheek, eyes seeking mine. “I pray to the gods that man will be me.”

Someday you’ll love again…those words held comfort. Words I could hang on to. Something to look forward to.

“Let’s get you warmed up before Mr. Playboy comes and fetches you away from me,” Derek offered, leading us towards the bar.

That was, if Callum still remembered I existed…