His Price(28)

Together we walked inside the restaurant. And it felt right, it felt perfect. For once, a single second in my crazy world seemed exactly as it should be.

Her in my arm, in my protection from the outside world.





Chapter Ten


Noella

My arm was wrapped inside his, firmly stroking the muscle beneath my palm; and a fire began to ignite inside my belly.

I didn't want that, I didn't want to feel any type of emotions towards him. But it happened. A sweltering heat cut through me, disarming the wall I had created against him.

Hegan didn't want another guy touching me, even if it was innocent. His feral need to protect me, to keep me to him and him alone; it brought a smile to my face.

I can't explain why, or how. It just did.

Entering the restaurant, I knew right away I was out of place. I was the uncut diamond, in a world of precious stones.

Everyone around was dressed fancy. There were men wandering around in tailored suits, speaking with their hands as if the words would fly out from them and take shape. The women were all wearing floor length dresses, long waves of pearls cascaded over their chests.

And here I was in a dress that fit tight as a second layer of skin, and heels that screamed: 'Hey I'll let you fuck me!'

I had the sudden urge to slink away, hide in the bathroom and hope some tiny mice would bring me the gown I needed to survive in a place like this.

“This is awkward.” The whisper coaxed out the side of my mouth. Wide eyed, I stared up at Hegan as every head in the place turned to glare at me. The eyes of unknown people followed me as we walked through, hushed whispers floated between their mouths.

“Welcome to my world, Honey.” Flashing a wide grin, his arm wrapped tightly around my waist. “Don't worry about them, they're just jealous. I would be too if I saw you walk in with a guy like me.” Flicking his eyes down, he winked.

Suddenly, the knots building and rolling inside began to settle. Hegan had not only comforted me, but he complimented me at the same time.

My record with men in the past hadn't been the best. I used to be a shy girl, my nose in the books and my family. I've had a few boyfriends here and there, but nothing serious. The last guy I dated turned out to be a fucking asshole. He left me standing alone at a concert, and when I found him...

Well, let's just say he was preoccupied with other company.

Balls deep in a bathroom stall.

That was seven months ago and I've been single ever since. My only goal after that had been to help my family, pay my debt, and get my fucking life back.

There was no room left for another guy.

Hegan pulled me into his hip, leaning in he whispered in my ear. “See that guy over there? Green polo, hair slicked over to the side?” Nodding my head yes, he said, “That's Gerald Dillard. He owns the law firm my father goes through.”

I peered at the man as he tossed his head back laughing wildly, martini in hand. “He looks like he needs to just give up on hair. That comb over does no justice.”

Cracking a soft laugh, Hegan's hand climbed down my hip, gently cupping my ass. And when I thought I would've slapped it away, I didn't.

I liked it there, liked him touching me. Shivers swept up my spine, riding my back and flowing down to my toes. On impulse I pressed myself closer to him, filling any gap I could between our bodies.

Stepping through the archway into the dining room, Hegan glanced between the tables, his chin shifted up as he looked through the crowd of faces. “There they are. Back table to the left. My mother's name is Stella, and my dad is—”

“Brandon, I remember.” Twisting to look up at him, I asked, “Anything else I should know before we head into the dog pit?” Fluttering my lashes, a smile arched to one side.

“Yeah, they think you're my girlfriend.” Biting his lower lip, his eyes gaped open expanding beyond their limit.

“Of course they do.” The words trailed off under my breath.

I should have known. Why else would he bring me here to have lunch with them?

So, how does a baby fit in to this charade?

He wanted to keep me, paid for my services. Which, without my knowledge, included more than just my company.

Hegan bought me in return for a baby.

Now I'm meeting his parents as his 'girlfriend.'

What did he tell them about me?

It hadn't occurred to me to ask him. Fuck, I only met him once a couple weeks ago and it wasn't exactly under normal circumstances. We had spent a brief amount of time together. And until yesterday, I'd forgotten all about him.

Well, that's not entirely true.

He had crossed my mind a few times since that night. Hegan was hard to forget, you don't see many guys like him around. A sweltering mess of sexy with a dash of personality to top it off.

It didn't help either that he had sent my pussy into a watery pool when I danced for him that night. And that stood out in my memory.