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God, this is beautiful. Everywhere I look, I'm astonished by how gorgeous this place is decorated. The place is darkened, only illuminated by the small lights. And they're everywhere. They're wrapped around the pillars that are up on the ceiling, small tiny lights that are there mostly for decoration than for its purpose of creating a light and under each pillar is a crystal ball that reflects the lights.

White curtains fall from ceiling to floor everywhere around, the only place that's not covered are the windows, showing off a magnificent view of the city.

The tables are placed close together, decorated with luxury and preciseness. And even the tables are highlighted by the lights under them!

The orchestra is playing a beautiful, slow melody in the corner of the room.

Me and Braden haven't moved from the spot we're currently standing since we basically came here because people keep coming to Braden to greet him and then talk about the business and whatever subjects I wasn't interested in and didn't have knowledge about.

I made some polite remarks when someone spoke to me. I was surprised at how many women came to Braden and flirted with him without any shame when I was standing right there next to him. I almost choked them all. Braden was trying to be polite to them, but I felt his body tense everytime a woman started walking towards him.

I was getting seriously frustrated. This was boring me to death and my cheeks hurt from the fake smiling I have to do, just standing there next to Braden. He tried to include me in his conversations at times, trying being the key word, seeing that I literally had no idea what to say back not to sound more stupid than I already am.

But he tried to talk to me, mostly apologising that this was boring for me and then promising me we're going to dance later after the dinner is served.

Speaking of, I almost yell out, ''Hallelujah, finally!'' when there's an announcement that we should be seated. I'm merely disappointed when, once I sit down and eagerly wait for food to come, I find out that there are going to be some speeches first from very important people attending tonight.

I want to stab myself in the eye. With a fork.

But once I find out Braden is also among the ones who're going to speak tonight, my interest perks up instantly and now I'm impatiently waiting for my man to go up there and impress those people with his absolute charm and magnetism.

Me and Braden are seated with another couple, a slightly older man and a stunningly looking woman.

''I really hate these things.''

I turn my head in surprise to the woman beside me who just said these words to me in a quiet whisper. She's angling her head closer to mine, her lips up in a secretive smile.

I snort, looking around the room. ''Tell me about it,'' I reply, equally quiet as her.

Her smile turns big. She extends her hand for me to shake. ''I'm Cecilia. And that's my fiancé, Heath Broadway.''

My eyes flicker to the man who's currently chatting with Braden, and then back to Cecilia. ''Congratulations!'' I wish her happily. ''I'm Rory Warren.''

Cecilia nods as if in understanding. ''Thank you. Are you here with Braden?''

My smile slips a bit. ''Yes. Do you know him?''

Cecilia laughs under her breath. ''I know of him. As does every other person in this room and in this state probably.''

I feel myself blush. I chastise the jealous monster that keeps rising inside of me. Jesus, what the hell is wrong with me? It's not like every woman lusts after Braden. There might be some lesbians, too ...

I laugh to cover up my slip. ''Yes, how silly of me. I tend to forget how well-known Braden truly is among the people. It never fails to amaze me.''

Cecilia pats my hand in understatement. ''I know the feeling, honey. People say you get used to it, but even I, after being two years together with Heath, am still surprised at how successful he truly is.''

I look at Braden momentarily and as if feeling my gaze on him, he turns his head and looks me straight in the eyes with a deep, serious look. I know it. I know that I'll never get used to how handsome, how amazing and how successful Braden is. I'll always look up to him, always admire him and that feeling will never go away.

I look back at Cecilia. ''Yeah. I doubt I'll ever get used to it, either,'' I tell her quietly, rolling my lips together.

''So how long have you two been dating?''

I take a sip of the water. ''Ah, a few months now.''

''Huh,'' Cecilia says in a thought. ''So no wedding bells yet, I assume?''

I choke on the water, coughing to calm myself down. ''Sorry, what?'' I ask in shock once I'm calm enough to speak. Maybe I haven't heard her correctly?

''What are you two ladies talking about?'' I hear Braden ask and when I look at him, I see he's watching me with a forced smile, but he can't fool me because I can clearly see the crease of his eyebrows and the frown that he desperately tries to hide.

Cecilia laughs non-offensively. ''Just about you two getting married.'' She pats my hand.

I notice how Braden's eyes become wide and his body restless as he stares at Cecilia, probably wondering if he heard her correctly. I'm too busy studying his expression when Cecilia's words register in my head.

''No!'' I suddenly shout out loud. A bit too loud as I see a few people glancing at me in annoyance and I slump down in my seat, mouthing, ''I apologise.''

Braden looks at me then and cocks his head to the side, expectantly. He wants me to explain and he's waiting with masked patience, but I see the way his hands are gripping the chair handles.

I lean over the table. ''That came out wrong.'' I cast a look at Cecilia, but she's busy animatedly talking to her fiancé. ''She asked me for how long we're dating and made a joke about us not marrying yet. Or ever,'' I mutter the last part, a little begrudgingly.

Braden stares at me for what feels like an eternity with a serious expression, not saying anything. It makes me nervous as hell.

''We have one last speaker left, ladies and gentlemen. Last, but not least ... You know what they say, save the best for the last, right?'' There's a chuckle in the speakers from the man on stage. ''The greatest of all, a man you've all heard about and the one without who this event tonight wouldn't be possible – Braden Campbell!''

There's a loud applause, some people even stand up and whistle.

''Don't assume anything, Rory. Keep your mind open, yeah?'' Braden murmurs with a smile before standing up, buttoning up his jacket and heading for the stage while my mind keeps swirling around those few words.

I'm in such a frenzy that I miss the start of Braden's speech, but his velvet, charming voice slowly progresses into the fog of shock and confusion that Braden left with those words. But I lean back and force my attention on him, which isn't that hard, let me tell you. I notice how his eyes search mine every once in awhile during his speech and he holds my stare for a few seconds while he goes on with how happy he is that he can be here tonight, surrounded by such great people and so on.

''I wish you all a pleasant evening and I hope you'll enjoy it at least half as much as I will with my beautiful lady, who's currently waiting for me at the table. So I got to hurry.'' He chuckles and laughter fills the room from others. Some turn to look at me and I flush a deep shade of red, lifting a glass with my cold water to my lips to hide my tomato red face behind it and to discreetly put it against my warm cheeks to cool them down.

''Cheers!'' Braden lifts his champagne glass and the room stands up, Cecilia pulling me on my toes as we lift our glasses, yelling, ''Cheers!'' back.

Braden leaves the stage with a smile, shaking hands with a few people on the way back to our table.

When he finally manages to come back to the table, he takes a seat and Heath pats his back. ''Nice speech, Campbell. I see you still haven't lost that charm of making people eat from your hands.'' He grins.

Braden chuckles. ''Not all of them, though,'' he replies, looking me deeply into my eyes as he says that.

I lift my eyebrow that. I'd do anything you'd ask me for, Braden. What are you trying to say?

''You sure about that?'' Heath asks Braden, sending a strange look my way.

Braden reluctantly turns his gaze away from me on Heath. ''You have no idea, man. She defies me like no one I know.'' Braden shakes his head.

A huge grin suddenly appears on Heath's mouth. ''I see you found yourself the right one.'' He pats his back one more time. ''Don't let her go, for whatever is worth.''

Braden looks at me, taking a sip from his glass as he leans back in his chair and gives away a vibe of a relaxed man. ''I'm planning on it,'' he says, his eyes burning into mine, making me hot all over.

Heath suddenly leans into me. ''You clearly put him under a spell. I admire you, honestly. I don't know of a woman who was brave enough to stand up against the big bad Braden. Besides his sister, of course.'' He chuckles at that.

I chuckle back. I'm slightly surprised by his words, but they warm me, make me feel important. ''I think it's rather the other way around; that he put a spell on me,'' I remark.

Heath shakes his head. ''Trust me, sweetheart. I've seen a lot, and I haven't seen like that. Ever.''

Braden suddenly pushes Heath back into the seat and levels him with a cold stare. ''Oh, I'm sorry. Do you want to switch seats so you'll have better access to flirt with my woman?'' he growls at Heath's face mockingly.

My mouth falls open. ''Braden!'' I hiss, none too gently.

He continues staring at Heath with all seriousness.

''Uh-oh,'' I hear Cecilia mutter beside me, but I don't turn her way.

Heath puts his hands up. ''Whoa, Braden. We were talking about you, man. You're lucky to have her, but my woman is sitting here with me. Do you really think I'd flirt with other women, much or less with yours?'' He shakes his head.

Braden scowls. ''Of course I'm lucky. Have you seen her?'' he says as if it's the most obvious thing.

''Braden!'' I say it louder now. ''A word, please. Now,'' I demand.

He takes a warning glance my way but I challenge him back, making sure he sees the fury I feel. He sighs, rakes his hands through his hair and stands up.

I follow him as he strides away. ''I'm sorry,'' I apologise to both Cecilia and Heath and hurry after Braden.

We slip into a darkened hallway. Braden ignores everyone who tries to talk to him and just keeps going with me almost running to catch up with him.

He doesn't turn around as I come behind him, but he stays turned with his back to me, his hands in his pockets and his head hung low.

''Mind telling me what was that out there?'' I don't wait for him to acknowledge me and I don't beat around the bush. I want answers and an explanation of his behaviour.

He doesn't answer me right away and my foot starts tapping on the floor impatiently. ''Well?'' I prompt.

Braden places his palm flat on the wall with a harsh and unexpected move which loudly echoes, making me jump up in fright.

''I don't know, Rory, Jesus!'' he says loudly. He curls his fingers against the wall and then takes both hands in his hair, raking them through it. ''I have no idea,'' he says quieter.

''Could you at least look at me while we're talking?'' I ask him as kindly as I can, seeing that my patience with him right now is running very thin.

Braden takes a big, deep breath, before he slowly, reluctantly, turns around, facing me. He has that distant, lost look on his face. He's perplexed, as if he's trying to solve the mess out in his head, but doesn't know where to start.

''I just ... I'm a possessive man, Rory. I get jealous over the smallest things, and I won't deny that. It may be wrong to you, but you're mine and I don't share. With anyone. And with that said, anyone trying to do anything with you is asking to get their arms ripped off their body.''

My eyebrows shoot up to my hairline. ''Okay, all clear and understood. But tone it down a bit. What if I was acting the way you just did? It was rude and completely uncalled for. Not every man who tries to have a conversation with me wants to get in my pants or tries to flirt with me.''

Braden rubs his face with his hands and lets out a frustrated sigh. ''I'm sorry,'' he says after a few moments.

I wait, but he doesn't continue. ''For?'' I prompt.

Braden looks at me. ''For acting like a complete jackass out there.''

I nod. ''Apologise to Cecilia and Heath, too, please. That really wasn't nice of you, especially when Cecilia was right there beside him.''

Braden nods tightly, rocking on his feet. ''I know. I'll apologise.'' He has the strangest look on his face as he stares at me.

''Can we go back now?'' I ask, tilting my head to the side.

''So ...'' he steps closer to me so I have to tilt my head back if I want to keep looking him in the eyes. ''Am I forgiven?''

I shrug. ''I guess.''

Braden's eyebrow jumps up. ''You guess?'' he repeats with a tone that doesn't give anything away. ''I should test that statement then, huh?''

I want to ask him what he means with that, but when he steps even closer to me, putting his hand on the lower of my back so I arch it, and tilts his head down, I know just the answer for what he's going to do.

He doesn't rush it, he rather lets his breath fan over my mouth as if he knew how much that drives me crazy. I see his lips tilt up in the corners because I'm studying them intently, trying to predict his next move. He brushes his lips against mine, oh, so softly, but I still feel it all the way down to my feet.

And then, he finally gives it all, placing his lips on mine and moving them softly and slowly. I feel his hand travel from the low of my back to my hip where he squeezes it lightly. My toes literally curl in my heels at how good the feel of his lips moving against mine in a slow, steady pace feels.

He's so gentle, it only makes me want to throw my arms around his neck, jump up on him and kiss him senselessly. But I don't, of course. This is not a place, nor a time for that.

Braden puts his thumb and index finger on my chin as he breaks the kiss, smiling smugly down at me. ''Yeah. I'm definitely forgiven.'' He ever so lightly brushes my cheek with his fingers with affection.

I shake my head a bit to clear my mind and remember what we were even talking about before. ''Don't look so smug about it.''

He grins and then takes my hand. ''Let's go in there.''

We go to the table with happy faces and sparkling eyes, probably looking like a happy couple to everyone watching us.

We both take seats back at the table and Braden immediately turns to Heath. ''Heath, I want to apologise for my behaviour. That was completely out of line and rude of me.''

Heath grins. ''No hard feelings, man. I completely understand where you're coming from.''

Braden nods and then addresses Cecilia. ''And Cecilia, you too, forgive me for how I acted. I didn't want to imply your man even looking at another woman's way like that.''

Cecilia laughs easily. ''It's fine, Braden. I completely understand why you're so protective of Rory. She's really a diamond.''

My cheeks redden at her statement and Braden's eyes flicker to mine. ''That she is,'' he says lowly, his voice implying on something bigger that I don't seem to understand.

***

The dinner goes by in a relaxed atmosphere with low laughter and conversation filling the room. Couples are already starting to pile on the dance floor to dance on the slow melody the orchestra is playing.

Braden is talking to a few of businessmen in the circle again and I chose to just sit and wait for him at the table, not interested to hear any more of their conversations I don't understand.

''I'm just going to the restroom,'' I tell Heath and Cecilia who are preparing to go dance, too.

''Okay. We'll be dancing if you need us,'' Cecilia says warmly.

I just nod and go look for the restroom. When I find it, I slip inside. It's not empty, unfortunately, but it's still quieter and calmer than out there. I take some deep breaths of air.

Women are easily chatting and laughing next to me where I'm washing my hands. They obviously had something to drink if I have their red cheeks and glossy eyes to judge.

When I go out of the restroom and want to go back to the table, a hand on my elbow stops me. ''Lovely Miss Warren. How nice to finally meet you in person.''

I stop and look at the man who stopped me. A tall man with light hair brushed back and with light grey eyes, clean shaved. A very nice looking man, may I say. ''I'm sorry. Do I know you?''

He gives me a smile, showing off his white teeth that are slightly uneven, just barely noticing. ''No, I suppose not. I'm Jack Finlay. I did a business with Braden a few months ago.''

I give him a reserved smile. ''Well, seeing that you already know who I am, I think introducing is not necessary,'' I joke.

Jack chuckles. ''Trust me, everyone who knows about Braden, knows about you. You're no secret in this world.''

I'm puzzled by his admission. ''Geez. Then that must be quite some people then,'' I reply.

Jack tilts his head on the side. ''A funny one, aren't you?'' he murmurs. I get an uneasy feeling about his statement and I don't answer him. ''Can I ask you for a dance?''

My mouth opens. ''I ...'' I cast a look in Braden's way and see he's laughing about something one of the men said. I also notice a few women joined them in their circle, one particularly standing really close to him and staring at him with open admiration.

My blood boils, but I tell myself to calm down and I swallow the ball of jealousy.

Oh, what the hell. I wanted to have fun tonight, didn't I? ''Yes, sure.'' I give Jack a big smile, careful that it doesn't come off as flirty.

He offers me his arm and I take it, following him to the dance floor.

''You know ... I was just wondering why would Braden leave a woman like you all by herself on an evening like this ...'' Jack trails off. I obviously know what he's hinting on and I don't like it.

I chuckle forcibly. ''Ah, he's talking business and I just rather left him alone. I'm not really into that,'' I reply politely.

Jack shakes his head as if he can't believe what I just said. ''Jesus. What are you doing with a man like Braden?''

I lean a little bit further from him, the smile slipping from my face.

''Can I cut in?'' Braden appears from nowhere at all, saving me once again. He doesn't wait for Jack's response, he just comes in between us, making Jack release me.

''Campbell,'' Jack greets coldly. ''I was just about to ask your pretty girlfriend if she wanted a glass of champagne. You know, she looked lonely, all by herself in this big room.''

I hold my breath as Jack's words leave his mouth. Braden sharply turns his head around. ''For starters, she'll have to pass that offer, seeing that she's pregnant,'' he says pointedly. ''And about your second point, it's not your concern about her well-being. It's mine.''

Jack's eyes fall down on my stomach and Braden steps in front of me in a protective way. He looks back at Braden then and grins coldly. ''I think you're doing a shitty job, keeping a