Chapter 45
Their bodies were pressed close together, rubbing against one another
To say Megan felt nothing would have been a lie. But she couldn’t deny her aversion to Sullivan, so she made an excuse, “The event starts at seven, and you care so much about that project. You wouldn’t want to be late, right?”
Upon hearing this, Sullivan eased his grip on her. He glanced at her reflection in the mirror, a wry chuckle escaping his lips, “Mrs. Lawry, you sure know how to kill the mood.”
But the immediate crisis had been overted.
The ride back was silent.
At seven in the evening, Sullivan’s sleek black Bentley glided into the Lambert Estate. He stepped out and opened the door for Megan. As she bent to exit the car, Sullivan took her hand.
She couldn’t help but look up at him.
They locked eyes under the grand lights, amid the whispering night breeze.
Sullivan tightened his grip on her hand, pulling her close and whispering in her ear, “Stick with me tonight. Don’t go charming any other
understand?”
men.
His words betrayed a possessive desire.
Leaning against his shoulder, Megan spotted Bennett.
Bennett stood under the porch light, a glass of red wine in his hand, his gaze dark and fixed on her.
She didn’t want to provoke him. Her lips trembled slightly as she embraced Sullivan lightly.
Bennett’s eyes narrowed before he turned away.
Sullivan was no fool. He gently lifted her chin, his voice dangerously husky, “Learning to play the game, are we?”
Megan turned her face away, “Sullivan, remember your goal for tonight.”
His gaze was inscrutable, “Of course, I won’t forget, Mrs. Lowry” Then he led her by the hand, the perfect picture of a loving couple
Megan played along. They even danced together at the gala, earning rounds of applause.
Mrs. Lambert went out of her way to introduce Megan to some distinguished ladies, billing her as the first lady of the Lowry Group and a fantastic violinist
To elevate Megan’s status, Mrs. Lambert boasted with a bit of bluster “I’ve heard that Paxton is coming back. Everyone knows he’s favored student, but do you know? It’s none other than our very own Mrs. Lowry!”
Megan was taken aback. This was only known to her, Cora, and Lucia. But Mrs. Lambert..
got a
Coaxed by the others to perform, partly to give face to Mrs. Lambert and partly to test the truth, Megan, in her ethereal designer gown, graced the green, the lights around her like fireflies.
She played Massenet’s “Meditation and by the end of the piece, no one doubted Mrs. Lambert’s words anymore, not even Mrs. Lambert herself.
Megan was the one Paxton had been looking for!
Megan bowed in thanks.
Lifting her gaze, she met Sullivan’s eyes. He stood there casually. But his eyes held a message only she could understand – a mix of lewd desire and possessiveness that had nothing to do with art and everything to do with a man’s primal longing for a woman.
Megan couldn’t bear that gaze. She feigned a need to use the restroom.
Meanwhile, Sullivan’s eyes followed her, and Mr. Lambert clapped him on the shoulder with a laugh, “Young love, so enviable! Makes me jealous as an old man.”
Sullivan returned the gesture with a smile.
Mrs. Lambert came over, fu and talented she was.
fussing over her husband’s appearance, then turned to lavish praise on Megan, saying how beautiful, poised,
Mr. Lambert patted his wife’s hand affectionately. “If you like her so much, why not make her your goddaughter? It’s rare to see such a shine to someone!”
e you
take
9
Mrs. Lambert shot her husband look. Despite being over 40, her charm was undiminished.
She playfully scolded, “I’m only 14 or 15 years older than Sullivan. It wouldn’t be right to take his wife as my goddaughtert Besides, count the coins in your pocket and see if you’re worthy. If you’re serious, youll work more with Sullivan. That way, Megan and I can grow closer.”
