The kiss started innocently until a moan slipped from Delilah’s mouth. I backed her up against the mirror, deepening the kiss. Our tongues clashed with passion and desire. I wanted more of her, needed more of her.
My hands moved to caress beneath her breasts, and she gasped, pressing herself into me, her breathing ragged. My thumbs slipped below the soft material of the dress and found her stiff nipples waiting for me. I rubbed my thumbs over them, and she moaned, moving slowly against them, her fingernails digging into my biceps.
My cock jerked yearning for her touch. I removed one of her hands from my biceps and placed it over my cock. I kept my hand over hers, her fingers trembling below mine, and bit back a growl that threatened to escape my chest.
“Touch me,” I whispered into her mouth.
Delilah squeezed my cock gently and I moaned into her mouth.
“Excuse me, ma’am, I got another dress for you to try...” Renee’s voice trailed off.
Delilah froze under me, and I lifted my head and glared at Renee in the mirror.
“Leave, now,” I barked.
Eyes wide, Renee scurried off.
Fuck! What was I about to do? Fuck Delilah in the damn dressing stall?
Abruptly, I moved away from Delilah. Her face was flushed, her pupils were dilated, her breathing heavy and her lips were swollen. Just then my phone rang, and without another word, I stepped out of the stall and into the changing room, my cock still rock-hard.
It was Dominic.
“Obsidian’s in town,” he stated as soon as I answered.
“I know.”
I heard movement in the stall.
“When did you find out?” Dominic’s voice was clipped. “And why didn’t you mention it?”
“About two days ago. He was also involved in Eso’s death, and I’m positive the deaths of Eso’s boys who came to demand the protection fee, too. Vega said they were found slaughtered.” I kept my voice low.
“Do you know why?”
“No, idea. But my boys are on it.”
“And why didn’t you mention he was in town?”
“Because I didn’t think it mattered. I have my boys looking into him and the reason he's here. I didn’t see the need in worrying everyone unnecessarily.”
“Seb,” Dominic warned, “as soon as you found out, you should’ve told me. You should’ve told us that he was in town. After what happened between us and Obsidian, we all have to watch our backs. He may not be here for us, but still be cautious.” Dominic continued, “And, let me know what your guys find out about Eso’s death.”
“Will do.”
“Good.”
The line went dead.
Delilah had stepped out of the dressing room, the pile of dresses clutched in her hands, looking at me nervously.
“We’ll only be taking the red dress you just had on.”
She nodded, her fingers trembling as she removed it from the pile. I opened the door of the changing room and allowed Deliah to exit first. As we made our way to the register, I noticed Renee was nowhere in sight.
Smart girl.
After paying, we made our way outside and I helped her into the vehicle.
“I won’t be driving back with you. Something came up.”
I didn’t miss the look of disappointment that flashed across her face as I shut the door and hopped into the SUV parked next to it.
“Follow them and make sure they get home safe, then take me to Lunaire,” I ordered the driver.
An hour later, I was on a video conference call with my brothers. Dominic thought it wise to let everyone else know that Obsidian was in town.
“Do you think Obsidian knew that you and Eso had a history together?” Axel asked.
“I’m sure Obsidian did his homework and knows about the past that Eso and I shared,” I stated in a matter-of-fact tone. Obsidian may be many things, but stupid was not one of them.
This time, it was Leonardo who spoke. “The bigger question is, was Eso’s death related in any way to Sebastien, or was it based on the lifestyle that Eso lived?”
“That’s still to be determined. Vega and his crew are digging up information as we speak,” I informed my brothers.
“But,” Nate interrupted, “A man like Obsidian, who is a part of the Syndicate wouldn’t leave clues around for you to find. If you found that picture of him, it's because he wanted you to. He wants us to know he’s around. Seb, he wants you to know that he’s involved in Eso’s death.”
The others nodded in agreement.
Vincent added, “Seb, are you sure he’s a behind Eso’s death? Remember what happened last time when we thought the Syndicate were the ones sending the threats to Dom, and it wasn’t them? You don’t want to go seeking vengeance on an 'innocent' man, and have the Syndicate rain fire and brimstone on you,” Vincent stressed the word innocent. “We all know how much Eso meant to you.”
“I’m not going to jump out with my guns ah-blazing,” I insisted. “But I am just as curious to find out why he’s in town, and more than that, why Eso is now dead.”
“Seb, if you do find out that Obsidian was the one who pulled the trigger on Eso, are you going to go after him?” Nate asked. “I know you’re not a hothead anymore, but Eso was like a brother to you.”
Dominic spoke up before I did, his voice hard. “If Seb confirms that Obsidian is the one who pulled the trigger, he will let us know, and together we will figure out a way to take Obsidian down. He won’t go rogue and put himself, or the rest of us, in danger. Isn’t that right, Sebastien?”
As much as I’d want to skin Obsidian alive if I found out, without a doubt, that he had killed Eso, I knew that Dominic and Vincent were right. Retaliating against Obsidian could escalate, and it wouldn’t just be about me putting myself and my brothers in danger; I had to think about Emily, Lucy, Lillian, and now Delilah. Obsidian struck me as a man who had a motive for every decision he made. And with his ties to the Syndicate, we couldn’t be caught off guard.
“I won’t,” I stated.
“Good. And guys, be careful. Anything out of the ordinary, we let each other know. Got it?”
That wasn’t a suggestion from Dominic, it was an order.
“Now that we’re done with that matter, I’ll be throwing a charity fundraiser in two weeks at The Grand Seraphine,” I announced casually.
The Grand Seraphine was the most luxurious hotel in the area.
“Who will the proceeds go to?” Nate asked.
“Thompson’s Children’s Hospital. They’ve been trying to finish building their new cancer wing, but there’s been a setback with government funds,” I stated. “And Vince, I’m going to need you to do your thing. I want everyone to know about this fundraiser, including the media. Do you think you could handle that, playboy?”
“You’ve come to the right person for the job, my little grasshopper,” Vince chided playfully. “Anyone who’s anyone and then some will know about this. I’m assuming Delilah will be the one planning and coordinating the event?”
I nodded. “I haven’t sent her the details yet, but you can liaise with her to get more information in about two days.”
“Sounds good.”
After the fundraiser, I’d announce my engagement to Delilah, letting Elliot Hawthorne know that she was mine and not to be touched.
After wrapping up the call with my brother, I dialed Caite. I informed her about the fundraiser, giving her all the details, then instructed her to email all the information to Delilah’s work account so she’d get it first thing in the morning.
Over the next two weeks, I avoided Delilah entirely. I left home at dawn and returned well past midnight just to ensure we never bumped into each other at home. And I temporarily relocated to Lunaire’s office, avoiding the head office altogether.
Memories of the kiss, her moans, her stiff nipples under my thumbs, everything lingered like a relentless headache, refusing to go away without a remedy. The only problem was that the remedy was Delilah. And as much as I wanted to feel my cock inside her tight warmth, I knew I had to bide my time so she couldn’t change her mind and run off.
But, on the night of the fundraiser, avoiding Delilah was no longer an option. I made sure the dress I’d bought for her was laid out on her bed paired with shoes and accessories with instructions for her to wear it and to be ready by six. I hired a makeup artist and a hairstylist to come to the house to help her get ready.
At six p.m. sharp, dressed in a black tuxedo, I stood at the bottom of the stairs when I heard a door close and the sound of heels clicking on the tiles. I glanced up and watched as Delilah elegantly glided down the stairs, using the railing to support herself.
Somehow, she looked better in the dress this time around. Her hair was in tight curls framing her face and her makeup was flawless. Thin diamond earrings dangled elegantly from her ears, matching with the necklace that rested at the base of her neck. The open-toed silver heels that graced her feet peeked out from under the dress as she walked.
“Delilah,” I extended my hand to her to help her down the last step, “You look stunning.”
She blushed. “Thank you. You don’t clean up too bad yourself.”
“There’s one more thing before we go.”
I pulled out a velvet jewelry box from my jacket pocket. When I opened it, Delilah gasped. Sitting in the box was an engagement ring, a one-point-five carat, D-color Asscher-cut diamond. The center stone was embedded in a platinum band with a row of natural pink Argyle diamonds.
“I want you to wear this tonight,” I said, taking her left hand in mine.
“Sebastien, this is gorgeous,” she said breathlessly.
I felt her hand tremble as I placed the ring on her engagement finger. It was a perfect fit.
“Tonight, after the fundraiser, I’m going to announce our engagement, and I didn’t want it to come as a shock to you.”
“Okay.” Her gaze was still on the ring.
“Shall we?” I asked.
She nodded. I placed my hand on the small of her back where her soft skin was exposed, and I could feel myself growing hard. Tonight would test my self-control more than I ever imagined.
At seven p.m. when Delilah and I stepped into the ballroom of the Grand Seraphine, I paused. The ballroom was nothing less than exquisite. Serving staff, dressed in black and white, weaved through the guests as they trickled into the grand space, offering drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Tall tables elegantly draped in white clothes with crystal swan centerpieces dotted the space. To the side, a spacious dance floor awaited as the soft music of a string quartet graced the stage. A banner on the far wall read, "Supporting Thompson’s Children’s Hospital Cancer Wing."
I leaned into Delilah.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” she asked, confused.
“For doing an amazing job at pulling this together.” I kissed her hand.
“My job isn’t finished yet. I’m still on the clock.” Then she added shyly, “See you later?”
“Definitely,” I smiled.
She smiled back and hurried off to talk to the serving staff while I mingled with the guests.
***
The fundraiser had been a hit, raising ten million dollars. My brothers and I each decided to match that donation, bringing the total to seventy million dollars. During the applause, I motioned for Delilah to come to my side.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce to you Ms. Delilah Malone, our senior event planner. Without her, this event wouldn’t have been as successful as it was tonight.”
The crowd applauded, and when the applause died down, I continued, “As we celebrate your generosity tonight, there is something else I’d like you to celebrate with me.”
The ballroom of the Grand Seraphine was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
“There comes a time in a man’s life when a woman walks into it, changes everything, and he knows she’s the one.” I wrapped one arm around Delilah’s waist and pulled her close. Her hands were planted on my chest, and I spoke like she was the only one in the room. “She’s the one who has captured his heart, the one he’ll protect till his dying breath, from anything and anyone who’d try to hurt her, the one who completes him.” I paused and turned back to the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have found that woman in Delilah, and tonight, I’d like to officially announce our engagement.”
The room erupted into loud cheers and thunderous applause as flashes from cameras blinded us. I leaned in and pressed my lips lightly on Delilah’s before pulling away, smiling for the crowd.
“Enjoy the rest of the evening!”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw my brothers making a beeline in our direction. I leaned closer to Delilah, so only she would hear my next words. “My brothers are coming over. I don’t plan on telling them the real reason for our engagement. If you stay here, they’ll grill you.”
I kissed her once again, this time slower, before pulling away. “Go mingle, you’re off the clock,” I whispered. Delilah hurried off to a group of co-workers just as my brothers appeared.
“Is it just me, or does anyone else here think Sebastien doesn’t want Delilah hanging around us tonight?” Leo teased, chuckling as he patted me on the back. His broad palm covered my entire shoulder.
I decided to play along and rolled my eyes. “I know you guys, and you can be ruthless. Let her enjoy our engagement party before you guys start dredging up embarrassing childhood memories.”
The others laughed.
“So this was an engagement party on the sly?” Vincent’s arms folded across his chest, and he lifted an eyebrow. “I should’ve guessed that something was up when you asked for all that media exposure.”
“Another Quantum bites the dust,” Axel shook his head dramatically before lifting it up and grinning, “More babes for me!”
“Not if I get to them first,” Vincent winked.
Dominic stepped forward. “So Delilah Malone is the woman to make an honest man out of you, huh,” he teased. “After the way you chased off that guy who was talking to her at the grand opening, we knew that something was up. I’m happy for you, Seb.”
Dominic shook my hand firmly.
“Thanks, bro. It means a lot.”
“Seems like your fiancée can’t keep her eyes off you,” Nate teased, a smirk plastered on his lips.
All six eyes turned in unison to Delilah, who froze like a deer caught in headlights. She turned to the table in front of her, pretending to adjust the perfectly placed tablecloth.
My brothers chuckled.
“I guess I’m needed,” I said, straightening my jacket. “I’ll see you guys later.”
“Don’t let this one get away, Seb,” Leo called after me.
Not in this lifetime.
I waltzed up to Delilah, spun her around and kissed her passionately. She was stunned at first, but then she melted into the kiss and wrapped her arms around my neck.
“Delilah Malone,” a voice drawled behind us. “I guess congratulations are in order.”
Delilah stiffened in my grasp, her eyes widened, and she stopped breathing. I pressed my forehead to hers and cupped her face.
“Sweetheart, breathe. I’m not going to let anyone hurt you, okay?” I whispered to her.
I kept my gaze on her, and when she nodded and was breathing again, I turned to the man of the voice. Elliot Hawthorne. Delilah stood behind me, her hand under my jacket, gripping my shirt at the back.
“Mr. Hawthorne, thank you for accepting my invitation,” I said, my voice firm as I shot daggers at him.
Hawthorne ignored me and spoke to Delilah. “Delilah, you look beautiful in that dress. The way it hugs your curves…” Hawthorne paused and smiled at me. “You look simply delicious.”
Delilah gripped my shirt tighter. I knew Hawthorne wanted to get a reaction from me, but I wouldn’t allow him the privilege.
My voice dripped with venom as I spoke, just low enough for Hawthorne to hear me. “As you heard tonight in my speech, I will protect Delilah from anything and anyone who’d try to hurt her.”
Hawthorne laughed, but there was no humor in it. “As yes, the speech. But you also stated till your dying breath. What happens when you’re no more, Mr. Quantum? You may have paid off her financial debt, but Delilah here owes a debt that money can’t buy.”
“If I were you, I’d take the money while I’m ahead. Make no mistake, Mr. Hawthorne, just because I’m wearing a suit doesn’t mean I’m soft. Let me make this clear: Delilah is mine, and I’m not letting her go. No one will ever touch her as long as I’m around.”
“And let me make myself very clear, Mr. Quantum: I always get what I want.”
Abruptly, Hawthorne turned and stalked out of the ballroom.