Page 20 of Royal Beast (Royals of the Underworld #1)
KELLAN
T he limo rolls to a stop in front of the grand venue, the shimmering lights of the gala casting a glow over the crowd gathered outside. I get out first, offering my hand to Darcy. When she steps out of the car, everything around me fades.
The dress she’s wearing hugs her frame in all the right ways, draping over her body like it was made for her.
My breath catches as I watch her take a step toward me.
Her blue eyes sparkle in the light, the deep purple color of the dress making them stand out even more.
The dress flows around her, every movement graceful, every step confident. She looks absolutely stunning.
She doesn’t seem to notice my staring, thankfully, until she meets my gaze and a subtle smile plays on her lips.
“You’re staring,” she says, her tone teasing.
I swallow, dragging my eyes away from her. “I’m admiring,” I reply, trying to play it cool. “You look incredible.”
Her smile widens, and she brushes a hand over her dress, smoothing out the fabric.
“Thanks, Kellan,” she says. “You clean up pretty well yourself.”
Inside, the gala is in full swing, the sounds of laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. Darcy moves through the crowd with an effortless grace, catching the eye of every person she passes. Tonight, she’s all polish and charm, and it’s like watching someone else.
We walk up to a well-known senator who is currently running for re-election this term.
“Kellan Brannagan. I didn’t expect to see you here,” he says, extending a hand.
“It’s good to see you too, Senator,” I reply. Darcy gives the man a smile that’s just a little too perfect, her eyes locking with his as though she’s figuring him out on the spot.
“Senator Burns, it’s so lovely to see you,” she says, voice polished, tone warm. “You have been doing some amazing work lately.”
“Thank you,” he responds, hardly paying her any attention as he looks around, a bored expression on his face.
“Of course, It would be a shame if you didn’t get to see some of those projects through,” she adds. “I know you’ve been dying to get the Playground Act finished before your term is up.”
“Oh, hello, Miss Flynn,” the senator says, suddenly noticing her presence. “Book sales are skyrocketing thanks to your advice. And yes, I’ve been trying to get the Playground Act passed, but you know how those old coots can be.”
“It’s Mrs. Brannagan now,” she corrects, subtly sliding her hand up my arm so the wedding band I got her flashes in the light.
“Kellan and I were recently wed by Judge Hammond. But Kellan has been so busy working with Hammond to get his casino project done that we’ve barely had time for anything else. ”
I’m taken aback by Darcy’s maneuvering. Judge Hammond and Senator Burns are well-known political rivals. She must know what she’s doing, bringing up his name like this.
“That old fart doesn’t realize he needs to retire,” Burns says, his expression darkening.
“I agree,” Darcy replies, leaning against me. “I wish we could have men in power who were as efficient as you, but things are changing nowadays. Perhaps if you could help my husband with his casino project, we could donate to your campaign for re-election as a way to say thank you.”
I blink, momentarily speechless at how smoothly she managed that interaction. The senator’s eyes brighten. “Well, I’m always open to new opportunities,” he says eagerly. Darcy has him in the palm of her hand already.
“Of course,” she says with a nod, giving him a friendly pat on the arm before moving on to the next person.
Darcy works the room, all while reading each person she meets like a book. She knows exactly how to adjust her tone, her posture. Everything about her changes just enough to make them feel comfortable, but she’s always in control.
We encounter the wife of a prominent businessman, one Rory’s been trying to get on our side for months. But word on the street is that the Russians are courting him just as hard.
“Madeline, it’s lovely to see you this evening,” Darcy says, a warm smile on her face as the woman approaches, giving Darcy a gentle hug and exchanging air kisses.
“Darcy! I haven’t seen you since you came to the Businesswomen of Thornville luncheon with Miranda, my dear,” Madeline says, her voice bright.
“It was a wonderful lunch,” Darcy replies. “My husband and I were just talking about all the amazing work you and the other ladies are doing for the people of our city. I know that you have a few other projects in the works as well. Did I hear something about a women’s center?”
“Oh, you know how it is,” Madeline says with a tight smile and a wave of her hand.
She glances discreetly over at her husband.
“I’ve been trying to get this women’s center off the ground for ages.
It would mean the world to me and to so many other women.
But my husband Charles… well, he’s less than enthusiastic. ”
“I can’t imagine why anyone wouldn’t support that,” Darcy says, her tone lightly scandalized.
“Oh, Charles keeps saying it’s not practical.” Madeline sighs. “If he won’t put up some of our own money, it’s hard to get other donors interested.”
Darcy nods thoughtfully. “Kellan has a knack for understanding people,” she says, a glint in her eye as she tilts her head toward me. “He might be able to convince Charles. He knows how much a project like this would elevate Thornville’s reputation, not to mention your husband’s.”
Madeline’s eyes light up, a spark of hope flickering. “You’d be willing to talk to him?” she asks, raising an eyebrow as she looks at me.
“Of course I would,” I say, stepping in. “I know how important a project like this can be. A women’s center is just what Thornville needs. It’s the perfect place to help out our town’s hard-working single mothers and those re-entering the workforce.”
Madeline gives us a grateful look, the worry easing from her face. “Thank you so much, Kellan. And Darcy, thank you, as well. It’s refreshing to finally meet someone who understands.”
Darcy smiles, a spark of satisfaction on her face. “That’s what friends are for.”
This woman isn’t just charming. She’s calculating, smart, and damn effective. I can’t help but feel a strange sense of pride swelling inside me as I watch her. It’s clear that she’s a force to be reckoned with.
The sight of her in that dress, effortlessly managing the people around us, has my trousers suddenly feeling a bit too tight. I take Darcy by the arm and start subtly steering her toward the restrooms.
“What’s going on?” she asks as we walk into one. I turn and lock the door, grateful this place is fancy enough to have a separate anteroom with a lounge, including a sofa.
“What’s going on is that I can’t believe how incredible you’ve been tonight,” I whisper, stepping in front of her as I gently pull her down onto the sofa with me.
“I’ve been watching you talk to people all night.
You’re a natural at this. You look like a delicious femme fatale, like a modern-day Mata Hari. ”
Darcy blushes from head to toe. As I pull her into my lap, my hand snakes up her dress to find that she’s not wearing any panties.
“Mrs. Brannagan,” I tease, pretending to be shocked. “Look at you.”
Her head tilts back to look at me and she bites her lip. “Are you going to punish me?” she asks.
A low growl escapes me, and I plunge my fingers between her folds, pressing two into her already soaked entrance. “Fuck,” I breathe, turned on by how wet she is. I rotate my hand so my thumb can rub over her clit while my fingers slowly move in and out.
“Oh, Kellan,” she cries out softly, a sigh falling from her lips. “Yes, just like that…”
My fingers move faster, my knee shifting so she’s straddling it as I finger her. Our eyes meet, and my hand moves to cup her cheek before bringing our mouths together. As we kiss, I continue my assault with my fingers as my thumb circles her bud.
Our tongues meet, swirling around each other in a slow dance. My fingers pick up speed as Darcy’s hips snap against my thigh, the illicit nature of our tryst fueling the passion of our actions.
Darcy leans her head against my shoulder as she rolls against me, chasing her release. “Fuck,” she whispers, eyes rolling back in her head. “Oh, God, I’m coming, Kellan,” she moans.
“That’s it, baby girl,” I say, encouraging her climax. “Come all over my hand.”
Her liquid pleasure drips out of her as she bucks hard, coming apart with a few panting breaths.
Once she’s calmed down, the two of us clean up to rejoin the gala. It looks like we’re just in time for dinner to start and we slip into our seats unnoticed.
“Senator, how lovely to see you again,” Darcy says, settling in her seat as she places her napkin in her lap. The senator smiles at her, oblivious to the fact that the two of us just got it on like horny teenagers at the prom.
Once dinner is served, we eat while listening to a few long speeches from politicians hoping to entice us to donate to their campaigns. Luckily, we’ve already gotten to the few people we needed.
After dessert, the tables are cleared away and it’s time for dancing. The two of us join the crowd. I place one hand on her waist, taking her hand in the other. As I begin to lead her around the dance floor, my heart swells. Having Darcy close to me like this is intoxicating.
Was Rory right? Am I going to be able to keep my priority to the family? Am I wrong for promising that, knowing how I feel about Darcy? My heart hammers in my chest as we dance, her long dress swirling around her ankles as I twirl her around. She comes back to me, pressing close to my chest.
I squeeze my eyes shut for a moment, thinking about how perfectly Darcy fits against me, like she was made to be in my arms. When I open them, her blue eyes meet mine, and for a second, I forget everything else.
Every reason I’ve kept my distance, every excuse I’ve ever told myself all goes out the window.
Right now, there’s just her, looking at me with trust and admiration in her eyes.
Am I making a mistake by holding back?
I’ve kept my guard up, reminded myself time and again that this is supposed to be about convenience, protection, and duty. But as I watch her, relaxed and unguarded for the first time in ages, something in me shifts. Perhaps I’ve been a fool to ignore what’s building between us.
For the first time, I let myself wonder what it would be like to care, to give us a chance at something real. We could be happy together if we allow it to build and grow and stop pushing one another away.
The music fades but the thought lingers, scratching at the corners of my mind, completely impossible to ignore.