“The city wanted to send a car but I declined,” he explained as we climbed into his Jeep. “Not really my style.”
“This is fine,” I assured him, glad we were avoiding any extra flash. This was already a big enough night as it was.
We arrived at the Pavilion thirty minutes later, bright lights flashing, complete with a red carpet.
“I’ve got her,” Travis barked at the valet when he attempted to help me out of the car.
I raised a brow at him as he came around to my side and took my hand. “You think I want another man holding my girl’s hand?” he demanded.
I shook my head at his growly response and followed him up the steps and into the grand foyer, cameras going off in every direction.
I saw a few actresses I recognized and a man so tall he had to be a basketball player. It struck me that Travis was a celebrity of sorts. The realization was a bit surreal.
Travis handed me a glass of champagne from a passing tray just as a male voice boomed, “Travis!”
Travis squeezed my hand, turning toward the voice as an older man with graying hair and a neatly trimmed mustache approached.
“How the hell are you?” the man greeted, reaching a hand out to shake Travis’s.
“Doing well, thanks. Let me introduce you to my girlfriend, Emerly Greer.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” The man smiled, taking my hand and kissing it.
Travis tensed at my side but didn’t respond.
“Jim Holbrook,” he introduced.
This must be one of the names Travis hadn’t remembered.
“Are you speaking tonight?” he asked Travis.
“No, sir.” Travis shook his head.
“I wouldn’t want to leave her side either.” Jim winked. “Nice to see you both. Have a good time.”
“And so it begins,” Travis grumbled unhappily. He took my hand and guided me further into the room. “There will be a sit-down dinner later, but for now it’s a lot of drinking and showboating,” he explained.
“You really don’t like these things, do you?” I replied.
“No,” he acknowledged. “But I like having the most beautiful woman in the room on my arm.” He leaned close to my ear. “And I get to take her home later, too.”
“If you’re lucky,” I put in tartly.
He chuckled. “Fortunately for me, since I met you I’m luckiest bastard in the world.”
“You are a bastard, I’ll give you that,” a man chortled from behind Travis, appearing a moment later through the crowd. He looked to be about Travis’s age, and I guessed he was a military man from the way he held himself.
“No one’s a bigger bastard than you,” Travis replied without missing a beat, a grin lighting up his face. He looked genuinely happy to see this guy. He turned to me, wrapping an arm around me and pulling me close. “Chris, meet my better half, Emerly. Em, this is Chris Peters. We served together.”
“Nice to meet you.” I smiled, extending my hand to shake.
Chris shook my hand and cocked a brow at Travis. “You went and settled down on me, huh?”
“Hell yes,” Travis replied emphatically. “I didn’t expect to see you. I thought you were down in San Diego?”
Chris sighed. “I got roped in last week.”
“So you love these things as much as Travis does,” I surmised with a dry laugh.
“You got me there, sweetheart,” Chris replied with a chuckle, and took a sip of his drink. “I’ll make sure we’re sitting together. I don’t think I can bear a two-hour dinner sitting next to a politician or a bottle blonde.”
Travis nodded in understanding. “I’d prefer that, in case I need to leave the table for any reason. You can watch out for my girl.”
“I can do that,” Chris agreed.
“I can take care of myself,” I argued indignantly. “It’s a dinner, not a war zone.”
Both men laughed and started to talk about their military buddies. I took the opportunity to study the room, taking in the women all dressed to the nines and the equally dapper men. I had to admit there was a lot of blonde in the room, and breasts that couldn’t be real, but I thought they were gorgeous.
“Come on, baby, let’s get you something to snack on.” Travis spoke in my ear, breaking the spell of people watching. I realized Chris had wandered off as Travis took my arm.
I stepped toward one of the tables where a delicious-looking array of appetizers was spread out.
“Travis,” I heard from behind me, and turned to see one of the blondes I’d admired earlier stepping close to Travis. “It’s been too long.”
His eyes shot to mine, and he looked immediately uncomfortable as he reached for me. I realized that he needed my support as much as I needed his. “This is my girlfriend, Emerly,” he introduced. Clearly this was another one whose name escaped him.
She eyed me steadily, her eyes sweeping over my dress and hair with such scrutiny I felt like I was going through the metal detector at an airport. I stood up straighter under her gaze, surprised that I didn’t feel intimidated. I knew I looked good, even if I didn’t fit the standard Los Angeles stereotype.
I extended a hand, plastering a smile on my face. “Nice to meet you. I didn’t catch your name?”
I couldn’t resist throwing that in.
Her smile was brittle when she replied, “Carmen.”
“Nice to meet you, Carmen,” I amended, shaking her hand before placing mine back in Travis’s warm grip.
“I haven’t seen you at any events,” she noted, and the challenge was clear in her tone.
“I haven’t seen you either,” I replied with a smile so fake it hurt my face. I suddenly knew what Travis had been talking about, but I was determined to hold my own.
“Yes, well it’s nice to meet you. We should do lunch. I can introduce you to the other girls,” she suggested.
I knew her invitation held no meaning. And anyway, I could only imagine what her pack of vicious females was like.
“That’s kind of you,” I answered vaguely, before turning to Travis. “Could we find me another glass of champagne, honey?”
He grinned, all too eager to make the getaway I was proposing. “Absolutely.”
“Enjoy your evening.” I waved at the blonde, who now wore a sour expression watching us walk away.
“Jesus,” I muttered, taking a large gulp of the champagne Travis grabbed for me.
“Told you,” he muttered back. “But you handled that perfectly.”
“I feel like I need to read the mean girl playbook. Or at least the CliffsNotes.”
He squeezed my hand. “Nah, you don’t need it. You just be you, and they won’t know what the fuck to do.”
We laughed together, wandering the room. It felt good to have him at my back. He had become my closest friend, all while being the hottest man I’d ever laid eyes on.
By the time we sat down, Chris was already there, indicating that we should sit next to him. The ballroom was gorgeous, with chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and tables with gold tablecloths and flawless flatware.
Travis sat next to Chris, and I sat to his left, looking at the remaining empty seats at our table and preparing myself for small talk. This was part of what Travis needed to do for his profession, and I wanted to be a part of it. Even if it was out of my comfort zone.
A couple sat across from us, raising their hands in greeting, while two men sat to my left.
“Greg Randal,” the man directly to my left introduced. He looked vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place where I recognized him from.
I turned to shake his hand. He was likely a good ten years older than me, handsome in the classic sense, with brown eyes and brown hair, dressed in a very expensive-looking suit.
“Emerly Greer,” I replied, shaking his hand. “This is my boyfriend, Travis McAllister,” I added, gesturing to Travis.
The man leaned over me. “It’s nice to meet you in person. I’ve heard you speak. Will you be sp
eaking tonight?”
Travis shook his head, pouring me a glass of wine from one of the bottles on the table.
Plates of delicious-looking meat and vegetables with some sort of creamy sauce were placed on the tables.
“How do they raise money if they dole out so much expensive food and wine?” I whispered to Travis.
He squeezed my upper thigh, where his hand had been since we sat down. “Everyone pays for their seat. Some buy a table,” he explained.
“I probably don’t want to know how much my seat was,” I replied dryly.
“Knowing you, probably not, so just enjoy your meal.” He squeezed my thigh again reassuringly.
I dug into my food and did just that. Everything was melt-in-your-mouth delicious.
I made small talk with my neighbors, nothing overly painful, and by the time dessert came I was feeling pretty confident about my first fundraiser.
I continued to be awed by Travis. So many people came over just to say hello to him and to shake his hand that I lost track. The look of admiration in their gazes as they interacted with him was obvious, and yet he was gracious and humble at every turn. I was all the more taken with him.
“You ready to go?” he asked as we sat in front of empty plates.
“There’s no more mingling required?” I asked in a teasing tone.
His eyes flared as he leaned in close. “There is, but I don’t think I can wait another minute without getting you home and seeing what you’ve got on underneath this dress.” His fingers trailed over the fabric at my shoulder, and my body heated in response.
I leaned in close. “The answer is nothing,” I whispered.
He groaned, standing up and pulling out my chair for me. I had to bite back a laugh at his urgency. We both said our goodbyes to those at the table, he took a few extra minutes with Chris, and we were soon headed for the foyer hand in hand.
He shrugged off his jacket, placing it on my shoulders as we waited for his car to come around. “That wasn’t so bad.” I shrugged.
“No,” he agreed. “But having you there made it a million times better. You’re in trouble now, I don’t think I can go to these without you anymore.”
I leaned into his body. “I’ll go anywhere with you,” I responded truthfully.
He wrapped an arm around me and kissed the side of my head. “I love you, Em.”
“I love you, too,” I replied as his Jeep pulled around and stopped in front of us.
It was a quicker drive home, as traffic had ebbed some in the late evening. As we pulled into the garage, I realized that I felt like I was coming home. Sure, the furniture and decor had something to do with it, but more than anything it was Travis that had made me feel that way. I was pretty sure anywhere would feel like home with him.
We walked in through the kitchen, turning on lights as we went. Able immediately came to greet us, and Travis took him out back to take care of business.
I swore that dog loved him more than me, but I pretended not to mind.
“Thank you for taking me tonight,” I told him when he returned. I was leaning against the kitchen island, admiring him. “It was insightful.”
He cocked his head. “Insightful?”
“Yes.” I nodded. “Just a small glimpse into that world, and I see why you were so guarded with me. Don’t get me wrong, it was beautiful, and the food was delicious, but it was also full of pretense. That, combined with how you were raised and what you’ve seen, and I understand why it’s so hard for you to trust. Why it was hard for you to trust me.”
He moved into my space, tracing his knuckle over my cheek. “I do trust you, Em. More than anyone.”
“I know you do,” I replied warmly. “You know everyone in that room wanted a piece of you?” I murmured, pulling at his bow tie, bringing him closer. “But you’re all mine.”
“All yours,” he agreed, slanting his lips over mine and kissing me with a fervor that made my knees weak. He pulled my dress upward, his hands gliding over my smooth thighs as my breath hitched.
I’d never been so ready for him.
“I could take you right here,” he rumbled, his hardness evident as he pressed into me.
“You can,” I breathed, a second before I squeaked in surprise as he lifted me up onto the island in one smooth movement. He pulled my panties down, and in the next instant, his head was moving between my thighs.
My back arched, the cool marble pressing into my skin through the material of my dress.
He growled hungrily. The sight of him between my legs was almost too erotic to bear. He had me on the edge within mere moments, sending me into a freefall that had me crying out his name, the sound echoing off the walls.
He stood up, pulling me closer to the edge of the island, unzipped his pants, and was inside me before I could formulate another thought.
“So fucking gorgeous,” he rasped reverently, his lips dipping to my collarbone as his hips swiveled, causing a ripple of intense pleasure down my spine. I saw stars as my eyes rolled back into my head.
“Again,” I panted.
He obliged, watching my reaction with a hunger that only pushed me closer to the brink. “You feel so good,” he grunted as sweat beaded his brow.
I couldn’t manage to get the words past my lips to reply. Instead, I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper.
When I cried out, his low moan followed only a second later. We came together in a rush so beautifully chaotic that I wasn’t sure where I ended and he began.
“I guess you liked the dress?” I laughed breathlessly as he stood with his head nestled in my neck.
“Loved the dress, baby,” he murmured appreciatively. “Love you more.”
With that, my world was rocked all over again.
Chapter 20
“Honey?” I called to Travis as I walked in through the garage that Monday. I was starving after an adventurous day teaching at both the preschool and studio.
Able came rushing in to greet me as I looked around our house that now felt like a home, and grinned. The space had truly been transformed with the changes we’d made. Colorful rugs now warmed the hardwood floors, a gorgeous sectional and loveseat sat in the great room, and artwork and family photos now hung on the walls.
My gaze turned toward the upstairs, thinking of the gorgeous upholstered bed, grand dresser, and bedside tables now filling our bedroom, along with a kickass mirror and artwork.
The house felt loved and lived in.
“Hi, babe. Be right out,” I heard Travis call from the command center, the one room we hadn’t touched in our home-ify efforts.
I sifted through the mail, opening my student loan bill with the usual sigh. Every month I paid through the nose, and the amount due only seemed to reduce by a marginal amount.
My brow was wrinkled in confusion as I stared at the balance listed when Travis walked in.
“I think there’s something wrong with my bill.” I sighed in frustration. The last thing I wanted to do was deal with the bank.
“What bill?” he asked as he slid alongside me, kissing my temple before looking over my shoulder.
“My student loan bill. It says I owe $0, and of course that isn’t possible,” I huffed. I threw the bill on the counter. “I’ll call them tomorrow.”
He shifted his stance and cleared his throat. “You don’t need to call them. I paid it, baby.” His declaration had me spinning in shock to face him.
“What do you mean, you paid it?” I demanded.
He shrugged. “I meant to mention it—with everything going on, it slipped my mind. I paid it off last month.”
My mouth gaped. “I owe $40,000, Travis.”
He eyed me steadily. “You did owe $40,000,” he amended.
I was so flustered I couldn’t tell if I was angry or if I wanted to jump in his arms to thank him for such a grand gesture. I was still deciding which way to lean when he pulled me close and tipped my face up to meet his gaze.
“I should hav
e talked to you,” he apologized, his gaze full of warmth and a touch of concern. “You’ve been taking care of everyone else all your life, Em. I want to take care of you. This is only one small step in doing that. I know you love your job—I just want you to have choices. Maybe you don’t work quite so much, maybe things stay as they are.” He shrugged. “But I wanted that to be your choice and not because you’re beholden to bills you wouldn’t have if your parents had done their job and not been such assholes.”
“But… it was my debt,” I protested.
“There is no such thing anymore, baby,” he murmured. “Everything of yours is mine and mine is yours, whether that’s wealth or debt. Do you get that? Because it’s really fucking important to me that you do.”
“You should have talked to me about it,” I whispered.
“I know,” he agreed, his gaze steady, grip firm on my hips as he held me close.
“I don’t know what to say,” I admitted, still shocked.
“How about I say that I’ll always talk to you about these decisions in the future. And how about you say you understand that I’ll always protect you and take care of you.”
“I know you will,” I agreed softly. “I’ll always take care of you too.” It was important to me that he understood that.
A gentle smile tilted his gorgeous mouth. “Love you, baby.”
“Love you, too.”
He pulled back slightly, his gaze turned toward the fridge, which thankfully was now regularly stocked with food beyond meat and vegetables. “How about we get you something to eat? You must be hungry.”
I was still stunned by what he’d done, but nodded in agreement. When it came down to it, as what he’d done sunk in, I wasn’t all that surprised, really. Travis was the most protective and caring person I’d ever known, aside from my brother. He’d do anything to make sure I was cared for. I’d never known that growing up, and it was something I was readily coming to terms with. I was no longer afraid to get used to it—instead, I embraced having a true partner for the first time in my life. With that realization, any anger I’d felt slipped away, and returned to that warm flutter in my belly, ever present since I’d first laid eyes on him.
Claim (Talon Security Book 2) Page 14