Page 7 of Release Me

‘Please tell me you’re going for a piss and not a wank,’ Caelon groans.

‘Caelon.’ Ivy smacks his arm playfully, but she’s well accustomed to our brotherly banter at this stage.

‘Just a piss.’ I force a gigantic grin. ‘We’re not all Captain Cum Quicks, and I wouldn’t want to miss the speeches.’

Ivy howls. Caelon and Anthony simply shake their heads as I saunter towards the sign for the toilets.

By the time I finish, the crowd has drifted into the ballroom. There’s only one person left in the hall as I pass through. I freeze as I spot her. Rebekka. She’s staring blankly at the wall like she’s not seeing it at all.

‘Hi.’ I drag a hand through my hair.

She spins on her heels. I watch the column of her throat bob as she swallows. Watch the way her tongue darts out to wet her lips. ‘Rian.’ The way my name falls from them sounds like a sin.

‘Are you okay?’ I step forward, closing the distance between us. The scent of her sultry perfume steals my senses.

She presses the heel of her hand to chest. The charms on her bracelet swish as they brush against each other. ‘I’ll be better when I get my speech over with.’

I stare deep into her green eyes, watching as various emotions drift through them. Nerves. Heat. More nerves. ‘You’ve got this.’

‘How do you know?’ She huffs out a laugh.

‘Because you’re the smartest woman I’ve ever met.’

Her gaze drops to my lips for a second before meeting my eyes again. ‘And we both know you’ve met a lot of women.’

It’s no secret I like women.

What is a secret though, is that every time I slide my cock into one, it’s her I’m imagining.

‘It’s true,’ I shrug with more nonchalance than I feel. ‘So take the compliment when I’m giving it.’

She stares at me for a long beat. ‘Thank you,’ she says finally.

‘You’re also the most beautiful,’ I add, then press a kiss to her cheek.

I shouldn't have done that.

Shouldn’t have kissed her.

Shouldn’t have said those words, but fuck it, I’m going to say more because she deserves to hear them. ‘You look stunning, and you’re going to kill it tonight.’

Her eyes flare as her mouth drops open in a tiny O.

Someone had to tell her.

And I’d bet my life her husband didn’t.

Enough now, Rian.

That’s enough.

I head into the ballroom and take my seat at the table beside Ivy and Caelon, accepting the glass of champagne my brother hands to me. Spotlights beam down onto the stage as Rebekka strides out to welcome everyone.

It’s impossible to tear my eyes from her.

Her speech is as witty, articulate, warm and poignant as is she. Every single person in the room is utterly captivated by her—every person except one. I frown, looking at where Anthony sits at a table at the front of the room. He’s not even trying to hide the fact he’s scrolling on his phone. Rage bubbles inside my chest. I turn my attention back to Rebekka, who is concluding her speech. She searches throughthe sea of faces until her eyes land on mine. Through the dimness, our eyes connect. The crowd fades.

‘Thank you so much for your support. I appreciate you more than you will ever know.’