To Capture A Bride

Chapter 74

✿ Aileen's POV

I canʼt remember half the people I met. But I suspect that Iʼd kissed the cheeks of some of the most powerful people in the world.

I recognize one as a politician from somewhere... I wasnʼt very up-to-date with world politics. I recognize someone else too...

Isnʼt he the guy Natalie says always getting into trouble for racing his Ferraris and Lamborghinis up and down the street?

Iʼm not sure. But thereʼs one of them I definitely recognize. Thanks to Sophie and Natalie, I know sheʼs a member of some European royal family.

Not sure which one though.

But Iʼve definitely seen the womanʼs face on the front cover of a gossip magazine back home. Sheʼs absolutely gorgeous, but sheʼs also staring at me in a way that makes me suspect sheʼs had something with Reid.

Because I know that look sheʼs wearing on her face. Itʼs the same look that Tracy had once given to her best friend the day she discovered she was sleeping with the man she loved.

Enough, Lee.

I walk around trying not to wonder how many of the women at this party have slept with my man because I begin to hate how jealous and possessive Iʼm starting to feel.

Not that Reid Dalton is mine to possess, but the thought of him sleeping with so many women doesnʼt make me feel great. And the thought of him sleeping with many more after me, makes me feel even worse.

But I continue to walk and smile and talk and be polite. I show off my ring to at least a dozen women who gasp and then begin talking all about the three C's of diamonds; color, cut, and clarity.

I know nothing of these things.

They all then proceed to tell me about the latest diamonds theyʼd all made their husbands buy them. I just nod along. I laugh a lot at really bad jokes and nod diligently when it seems like someone is trying to say something important.

Finally, we reach the other end of the room. We greet and chat with all the people Reid needs to, and it takes over an hour and a half until we are finally alone and able to sit down together.

My face feels sore from smiling and the Bollinger has all been drained out of me that Iʼm thirsty. I see a cure for my thirst and reach for the bottle of spring water in front of me.

Oh...

I swallow the water and glance around. This was the first real chance Iʼd had to look around the great room. And it was spectacular.

Long tables, draped in black tablecloths with gold accents had been placed around, creating a dance floor in the middle. The orchestra from before sits on a raised platform and the whole place is drenched in shimmering lights. Hundreds and hundreds of them.

Iʼm admiring the arrangement of flowers on the table in front of me when I feel a hand on my leg. Itʼs not the casual feeling of a hand coming to rest on a leg either, but it is the feeling of a hand that wants to do things to me.

I look at Reid and our eyes lock. I can see exactly what heʼs thinking and what he wants. And I canʼt hold back my smile as I feel his hand climb higher and higher, under my dress.

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✿ Reid's POV

I squeeze her thigh, hard.

Iʼd been fighting the urge to put my hands on her for the last hour and a half, and now that we were sitting down together, I saw an opportunity.

The heavy tablecloth makes it impossible to see what is happening underneath it, so my hand is free to wander. I start pulling her dress up with my hand, but she grabs it before it has a chance to get to where I want it to be.