Chapter 33

Declan

She’s wearing a lacy, black thing, and I can’t keep my eyes off her.

I feel like sliding my hand up Aurora’s skirt and feeling the wetness between her thighs, but I resist.

“Wow, look at you,” I whistle. “You got prettier, if possible,” I say, smiling at the beauty next to me.

Not waiting for her to say anything back, I allow my hand to graze her knee, and I feel her shiver underneath my touch.

“Thanks for inviting me out,” she smiles. “So we’re going to an art opening or something, huh?”

I smile deceptively and say, “Yeah, something like it.”

Then I take her hand in my own and kiss it before saying, “You know I’ve missed you.”

Her eyes are wide, “You have?”

I look at her. How can she not know how fucking gorgeous she is? Of course I missed her—every damn day since I first laid eyes on her.

“You’ve been on my mind a lot, baby,” I admit the truth as we speed through the streets to our final destination.

We pull up outside the venue, and there’s a red carpet and photographers and everything.

“Oh my God,” Aurora says. “I wasn’t expecting all this.”

I smile and get out to let the valet take over.

I personally open the door for her, and as I take her hand in mine I say, “Stick with me. You’ll do fantastically well.”

She takes a deep breath, and we approach the crowd of people. They take our picture, and I idly think how my brothers might wake to see our names splashed all over the papers.

I don’t care. I have the most gorgeous woman on my arm, and tonight will be fucking memorable.

“Thanks for agreeing to tonight. The event has been sold out for months,” I say, looking over casually at the beauty beside me.

“I didn’t know it would be this much fanfare,” she says, holding my hand tightly.

“Just smile and wave,” I say as we walk the red carpet.

Then at last we’re inside the venue, a nice gallery space downtown. I go about getting my date a drink, considering her nerves are at an all-time high. I can feel her tremble slightly, and I just want to appease that.

The minute we enter the building, I feel eyes on us. We’re the hottest couple in the place.

Everyone wants to be us. No one can compare.

I might sound a little too confident, but that’s because with the Grayson name come certain high standards. I’m here to represent the business my father built, as well as myself as a featured artist.

“Champagne?” I ask, grabbing some drinks off a passing tray.

“Oh, sure. I would love some,” Aurora says.

Aurora ‘s eyes are all over the place. She’s watching the crowd. There are industry people everywhere—photographers, models, editors, and artists.

“I forgot to mention that this was an erotic showing,” I say, sipping the bubbly fluid.

“I can see that,” she says wryly.

Everyone is watching us. Even the photographers take pictures. That’s when I realize that tonight will not be a secret.

The press here will for sure release the photos by morning. My brothers will know I broke my promise.

But I don’t care what they say about me stealing Aurora tonight. She’s fucking worth it.

As the evening progresses, we have a wonderful time. Aurora is a born socialite. She’s taking the room by storm and making the rounds, talking to people. She thoughtfully examines the exhibit and makes interesting conversation with the artists about the work.

It’s erotic yes, but it’s also upscale. I’ve been waiting months for the show and now it’s finally here. What’s more is that I have Aurora on my arm tonight.

I never imagined I’d be here, showing my work, and feeling so fucking happy. She’s the light of my life right now—and she’s certainly the light of this room.

I don’t take my eyes off of her for a second. I see men flirting with her, and a jealous rage burns through my veins.

I walk to the crowd and decide to make my presence known. She better know that she’s with me tonight and that she will certainly never go home with another man. These guys are getting a little too friendly for my taste.

“Hey Declan, how are you?” An industry person tries to stop me, but I’m on a mission to make it to Aurora’s side.

“Fine, fine. Talk to you later, okay?”

At last, I get to her, and my possessiveness is tamed just a bit.

I place my hand on the small of her back and say, “Miss me?”

Her relieved expression tells me that she has.

“I’m glad you’re here,” she says.

We walk around the space, and I show her a few paintings I’ve bid on tonight. The erotic pictures illustrate various states of a woman’s arousal. From pussy to tits, the artist captures her excitement. They’ll make an excellent addition to my office.

I live for beauty—and sex. Some would think it’s smut. And it is.

That’s why I want them. I find sex to be as normal as breathing.

“What do you think about this one?” I ask.

The photograph is a woman on her knees with a collar around her neck. You can’t see her face.

I don’t tell Aurora that it’s mine. I took the picture months ago. Now all I can think about is doing this to Aurora while I bury my cock in her ass.

I wait while Aurora takes it in. Her eyes are on the black-and-white photo.

“Well, I like it, ” she says. “But it’s pretty intense.”

I hold her body and whisper down her neck, “I’m intense, baby. You should know that by now.”

“Don’t you see? The woman in this picture holds all the power. Maybe you don’t realize that yet, but one day you might,” I say.

I already know this life is new for Aurora. The night we spent together gave me insight into what she’s capable of and what she has yet to learn.

“So, would you ever pose like that for me?” I ask darkly.

She smiles shyly, and I love the look on her face.

“I would,” she whispers.

“Good,” I pull her into my side and briefly kiss her.

She feeds my ego, and her shyness and sensitivity feed my cock that’s now pressing and straining against my pants.

As we walk through the showing, people are watching. A few ask Aurora if she likes a particular piece. A few go as far to ask why.

That’s when I’m amused. She has the bullshit level of a car salesman. Aurora talks the art up to the potential buyers. I’m confident she’s the reason behind a few of the sales.

She excuses herself for a minute to freshen up, and I swear all the men in the room watch her go. A couple of them approach me.

“The woman, who is she?” one asks.

“Is she one of your pets?” another adds.

Shaking my head, I knew this was coming. Everyone wants a taste of something new.

“She’s spoken for, guys. She’s not up for grabs tonight, or any other night. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” I say, walking off.

I know she’s on the minds of every male here, and she’s the envy of all the females. If Aurora only knew the power she held to sway people, she would conquer the world.

She doesn’t have a fucking clue that she’s extraordinary, beautiful, and intelligent. She’s innocent and pure even still, and I find that endearing.

I meet her by the powder room with a fresh drink. Right away, I notice the fresh gloss to her lips. I want to devour them.

Her perfume is fresh, too. A subtle hint of jasmine...and rose.

I want to kiss her, but that would make the front of the society pages. No need to alert my brothers to Aurora and me any more than I already have.

Besides, after tonight, she’ll be all mine, and my brothers will have realized too late that I won her over.

“I want to show you something,” I say, leading the way.

In front of us is a particular set of photos that I’m anxious for her to see. All nude models grace the photos. They’re all stunning, but their faces glisten with cum…

My cum.

I took these.

“What do you see when you look at these pictures?” I ask.

Aurora moves closer, examining each one in the set of six. She doesn’t act shocked or even surprised.

“Well, of course, I see the obvious erotica stuff. But there’s something more…the women are enjoying it. It’s like they can finally let go and become unbothered by anything but the pleasure of the moment. And the photographer is claiming his subject and this moment. He’s bearing witness to their sexual empowerment,” she says, leaning closer to examine the artist card.

My name’s there on the card. Declan Grayson—erotic artist extraordinaire.

“These are yours, Declan?” she asks, her cheeks flushing.

I nod and say, “That’s exactly right. Do you still like them?”

“Yes,” she says in barely more than a whisper.

I love that I’ve taken her off guard and also that she’s given me her honest opinion on my photos. I live in a world surrounded by people-pleasers, and it’s refreshing to, for once, have an unfiltered opinion.

I want to know her thoughts. Suddenly, I crave validation—which is so unlike me. I’ve never cared what anyone thought of me until now.

For some reason, I care about her.

And she makes me want to be a better man.

Fuck. I think I’m getting in deep.