The city lights blurred through the limousine windows as we approached the venue. My heart was still hammering from the morning's visit to Grandma, but now it wasn't nerves that made me restless-it was the anticipation of the night ahead. Asher's hand brushed against mine once, a fleeting touch that made my pulse spike. He didn't say anything, just glanced at me, that unreadable expression softening ever so slightly. I swallowed, aware that every subtle movement, every glance, mattered tonight.
The entrance to the building was glamorous, filled with crystal chandeliers, polished floors, and the low murmur of business elites mingling over champagne. Nova had warned me, "Eyes everywhere. Keep your composure." I nodded, adjusting my dress, the one Asher had subtly suggested-black silk hugging my waist, falling just past my knees, with a delicate shimmer that caught the light whenever I moved. It was elegant, understated, but powerful enough to make me feel seen.
As soon as we entered the main hall, I felt it-a swarm of gazes, some polite, some calculating, all measuring me. One of Asher's colleagues approached, a man whose charm radiated like sunlight but carried an undercurrent of arrogance. "I must say," he said, eyes flicking over me, "you look... remarkable tonight. The dress, the way it fits-you're dazzling." His hand brushed briefly against my arm, light, but intentionally intimate.
I forced a polite smile, tilting my chin with subtle confidence. "Thank you," I said, my voice steady. "I hope you're enjoying the evening as well." My posture remained perfect, shoulders squared, back straight, every motion deliberate. The faintest glimmer of surprise flickered in his eyes-I could tell he hadn't expected me to handle his little flirtation so calmly.
Asher's presence at my side was magnetic. His hand grazed mine again, almost brushing fingers. My pulse quickened. He didn't speak, just leaned slightly closer, his gaze sweeping the room, registering every detail. When the man made another subtle move, leaning just a bit too close, Asher's voice, calm and smooth, cut through the hum of conversation: "Keep your hands to yourself. She's mine." His tone wasn't angry, but it carried an intensity that made even the boldest onlooker hesitate.
The man's confident smirk faltered, and I felt a rush of heat. Not from embarrassment-no, this was something else. Asher's words, even under the guise of contract and performance, sent a thrill racing through me. His dominance wasn't harsh; it was deliberate, teasing, intoxicating. He held me close enough to feel the warmth of his body, yet perfectly composed as though we were simply two people enjoying a quiet conversation in the middle of a crowded room.
As the evening unfolded, others tried the same subtle tests-flirtatious compliments, lingering touches, playful innuendo-but I had learned to navigate this. Each time, I smiled, nodded, or responded with elegance and poise, earning quiet glances of approval from Asher. I felt the heat rise in my chest every time he leaned closer to whisper something teasing-"Princess, keep your composure," or "Babygirl, look at how poised you are." Each word made my breath hitch, each syllable a delicious, electric reminder of his presence.
At one point, a business partner stepped a little too close, placing a hand briefly on my shoulder. "You're stunning," he murmured, voice low, testing the boundaries. My smile remained sweet, unwavering. "Thank you," I replied evenly, my gaze calm. "I'm here with Asher tonight." My words were simple, polite, but firm.
Asher's arm slid around my waist then, just lightly, enough to make his claim visible without drawing unwanted attention. "She handles herself admirably," he murmured near my ear, voice low and intimate. The warmth of it made my knees weaken slightly, my chest tightening. "And I couldn't be more impressed." My breath hitched at the combination of praise and dominance. Around us, a few people noticed-the subtle ownership, the way he guided me, and it made their whispered admiration laced with envy and curiosity.
The teasing continued as we moved through the party. Asher whispered comments only I could hear, playful yet possessive. "See how they stare? All of them. But only I get this," he said, brushing a fingertip lightly along my back. Each word, each touch, sent shivers down my spine. My body responded involuntarily, aware of every subtle interaction, every hint of his control.
Later, when we reached a quieter corner of the ballroom-still visible to many but out of the densest crowd-he pressed close, hands resting firmly on my hips. His gaze was intense, sharp, and mesmerizing. "You're incredible," he murmured, voice low and teasing, brushing a stray strand of hair from my face. "Poised, smart, and utterly captivating. They all see it. They all want it. But it's only you."
I let out a quiet breath, feeling the heat of the moment, my lips parting slightly as I absorbed the praise, the teasing, and the subtle dominance. Every whispered word, every touch, every controlled motion of his-he had a way of making me feel both seen and entirely his, all while maintaining the elegance and restraint necessary for the public setting.
Even as the music and chatter swirled around us, I felt the pull of the world shrinking to just the two of us. His hand moved from my hip to my back, guiding me closer. He pressed apossessive kiss to my lips visible to anyone who cared to look, and I pressed back against him, asserting the claim we shared. Eyes turned, whispers followed, and I felt that thrill-the one that came from being admired, desired, and protected in every way.
The rest of the evening became a dance of tension, teasing, and measured dominance. Asher allowed me to shine, to respond with confidence to compliments, while ensuring every move left no doubt about our bond. Even under the rules of our arrangement, the chemistry, the play, the public display of his protective, teasing dominance made me aware of how intoxicating the balance of power could be.
By the time we left, my legs were shaky, my head spinning, but my chest was alive with a combination of pride, excitement, and something deeper I couldn't name. Asher's hand stayed secure on my back, guiding me through the exit, his gaze catching mine in a silent promise: he was mine, I was his, and together, we could navigate any room, any temptation, any test.