Page 137 of Savage Suit

“You are correct, Ms. Hagen. The truth is out!” I feigned horror.

“You’re funny,” she said, laughing.

And she was gorgeous. The light moment passed, yet an easiness settled between us, a special camaraderie that made her so unforgettable. I gave her a gentle smile. “Will you do me the great honor of accompanying me, Ryan?”

“Yes, Noah,” she whispered. “I will.”

Chapter Thirty

The moment we walked into the extravagant ballroom where the Amage brothers held their annual gala, Ryan and I commanded attention. Glancing around the room, I decided we were the most striking couple at the yearly ball designed for only the most connected new talent to attend and impress the exclusive list of advertising big wigs.

Our eye-catching combination rested on my twenty-six-year-old escort, a ravenous vision in a beaded chain thigh-slit cape gown in a shade of blue almost identical to the ball gown I’d met her in. That wasn’t a coincidence. When I’d arranged for Celine to dress Ryan, I’d suggested she find outfits in shades of blue, especially sapphire. Her jet-black hair was brought up in a swirl, with loose ringlets escaping on the back of her neck and on the sides.

Between conversation with some of the other guests, glasses of champagne, and tastes of hor d’oeuvres, I could barely keep my eyes off Ryan. Even as she whirled around the dance floor for the umpteenth time, with another admiring man no less, I couldn’t look away. She was simply stunning. At her quick smile, satisfaction rushed through me. She was with me.

Intense possessiveness swept over me as I saw another man intimately caressing her waist, an action which she didn’t protest, tainting my pride in her beauty with jealousy.

I started toward them.

Thankfully, before I created a scene, the band’s instrumental rendition of Billy Holiday’sGod Bless the Childended. The musicians went on break and Ryan glided to me.

“Welcome back, Ms. Hagen.” I smiled at her, holding in a groan at the small part in her full lips that were painted crimson. “Are you having a good time?”

“The best,” she murmured, her eyes shining and her lovely skin glistening.

A familiar gray-haired man approached us, stopping behind Ryan, almost indecently close.

Channing Powers smirked at me.

Glaring at him, I pulled her to my side as his gaze roamed over her. Wrapping my arm around her, I threw him a look of warning. Though she stiffened, she didn’t protest the action.

“Hello, Noah!” Channing greeted, walking around her, and stopping in front of me. Holding me by the shoulder with his left hand, he extended his right hand for the expected shake.

“Channing,” I said in a monotone, accepting his proffered hand out of sheer courtesy.

Staring at her mouth, he licked his lips. “A little bird told me this is the infamous Ms. Hagen.”

She transferred her glare from me to him.

“I’m sorry I was out of town and missed her presentation at Amage. I will be there next week. Of that you can be certain.”

“Y-you’re with Amage?” Ryan asked, her annoyance slipping away.

“Oh, indeed,” the asshole told her.

I couldn’t stand Channing Powers, the entitled dick. Not only had he been an active participant in my mother’s unfortunate threesome, but he’d also been married to multiple women and had come from a family almost as wealthy as mine. His work ethic was shit, and he spent an enormous chunk of his time fucking, drinking, smoking, and gambling. Only his connections had allowed him to get so far in life.

“Pardon my audacity, Noah, but I can’t help wondering if you have cornered the market on beautiful women. This one is by far the most stunning of all your flings. And God knows you’ve had many.” Channing guffawed as if he told a genius joke.

“You make me sound as though I’m a career philanderer,” I bit out with undisguised irritation.

A man who cheated on all five of his wives should’ve been the last person to take a fucking dig. Sensing the tension, Ryan glanced between us, and her eyebrows furrowed.

“Not at all, Noah. Not at all. It was an observation meant to compliment your date. I couldn’t help but notice her. As I am sure every other man here has.” He ogled her with undisguised lust. “She’s drop-dead gorgeous. Where did you find her? Is she a local or from some faraway land?” His eyes lingered on the swells of her breasts.

Ryan squirmed uncomfortably but remained silent. Another wave of possessiveness swept over me, and I tightened my grip on her waist.

When I cleared my throat, his gaze snapped to my face, his lascivious grin disappearing at my scowl.