Alexis' POV
"Quinn is definitely gonna make the tabloids tomorrow," Harper said, grinning as she looked at me.
"It's either going to be from being with the most beautiful woman or for murder, because you're gonna be turning heads this night, Lexi," Iris chimed in, wiggling her brows at me.
A smile bloomed on my face, heat searing into my cheeks as I did a little twirl for them. Immediately I informed them of my date with Quinn, Harper and Iris had practically dragged me shopping just to get the perfect dress, and honestly, I was amazed at the result. The soft silky red material of the dress hugged my curves like a second skin, accentuating my curves and skin tone. It was really the perfect dress.
All thanks to Harper, my makeup and hair were spot on. It had me basking in an aura of confidence that I couldn't explain.
"Come on girl, let's take some pictures for the gram," Harper said, hurriedly reaching for her phone from the nightstand and I happily gave them some poses, while she clicked away on the camera.
I was still pretending to be a model, with Harper and Iris taking multiple pictures of me when the doorbell rang.
"Looks like prince charming has arrived," Iris stated, hightailing out of the room to get to the door, while I reached for my clutch, before following behind her.
Iris threw the door open to reveal Quinn, dressed in a three-piece custom-made suit that fitted him to perfection, doing little to hide his lean muscular frame.
"Good evening, ladies," he drawled smoothly, throwing one of his panty-melting smiles at them, but my friends shook their heads in amusement, returning his smile.
"We trust you'll take care of our girl, Mr. Quinn?" it was Harper who was speaking to him, not minding that he was her boss, but Quinn only chuckled in amusement.
"I cross my heart, Harper, your friend is in safe hands,"
"Very well, then,"
All the while, I was standing behind my roommates, listening to their hilarious exchange while struggling to hold my laughter. As soon as Quinn gave them his word, they stepped out of the way and I emerged, a radiant smile overtaking my features, but when his eyes landed on me, his mouth popped open in awe. My smile widened, while my heart fluttered from his reaction.
"Awww…" Harper said in a sing-song manner. "We better leave you to it," they closed the door behind them just as Quinn stepped towards me and pulled me into his arms with one of his arms wound tightly around my waist.
"You always leave me speechless, love," he murmured into my ear, slowly running his nose along my neck and inhaling my scent. "Simply stunning,"
"I wanted to look good for you," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
Quinn pulled back, staring into my eyes with his gleaming blue eyes filled with so much emotion and affection that they had my heart racing.
"You don't have to look good for me, kitten. Even if you look like a sack of potatoes, you'll still have my heart," he reached for my hand and laced his fingers with mine, raising it to his lips and gently brushing them over our joint hands. "Feel how hard my heart beats for you, Alexis," he placed my hand on his chest, and I felt the hammering of his heart. A gasp flew out of my lips, but my heart swelled in response, tears welling up in my eyes.
How could this man be so amazing? Do I even deserve him?
"Shh…" he wiped my tears from my eyes and I sniffed a bit. "Come on love, don't cry. Let's go so I can show the world that you're mine," he winked, making me smile through my tears.
With my hand still in his hold, he led me to his car, and we both got in, and the driver turned on the ignition just as the partition slid into place, giving us some privacy. Comfortable silence blanketed us for a while, as we drifted through the evening traffic towards our destination.
I was staring out the window when I felt his warm hand take mine.
"Are you okay?"
I turned towards him and smiled at him, assuring him I was fine, but he didn't let my hand go as he subconsciously began caressing it, unknowingly spreading heat through me, down to my nerve endings and into my lady parts. I glanced at him, taking in his appearance, but my eyes were more drawn to his lips, shaped in a mean line. He looked so pretty, that it had me wondering how I landed this man.
Was I worth it? I mean, he looked too good to truly be into a woman like myself, or was it just for the moment?
These thoughts floated around my head, soiling my mood, and I had the ill fate of recalling Candice's mean words to me a few weeks ago.
Shouldn't she know him better? Since she's known him for a long time.
But he defended you. My subconscious interfered.
I released a shaky breath, willing myself to ignore these self-destructive thoughts and focus on the beauty of the moment.
"What's going on in your pretty little head?"
My eyes snapped to his and I opened my mouth to respond, but the car pulled to a halt, signifying our arrival. Through the window, my eyes darted out to see the entrance of the event center filled with paparazzi, with some already swarming the red carpet, and others hurrying towards the cars pulling into the parking lot. My heart dropped, at the realization that Quinn and I would have to pass through them.
As if sensing my worry, he squeezed my arm tightly and my eyes returned to him. He gave me an intense stare that made me believe he'd take care of it.
"Come on, love, time to show you off," he winked, making me smile.
The man always had a way of taking away my worries.
We alighted from the car and with his arm around my lower back, he led me towards the crowd of the paparazzi, waiting to jump on us like predators lying in ambush for their latest prey.
"Mr. Quinn, is this your new girlfriend?"
"Is she an escort for the night?"
"Have you lost your taste for elegant models?"
"A business associate or a love interest?"
I felt Quinn's arm tighten around my waist as he did his best to quickly whisk us past the paparazzi and their crazy invading questions that did nothing but remind me of how unfitting we were together.
"You know you mean the world to me right?" he whispered into my ear as soon as we'd passed them, restoring my smile once again.
"Thank you,"
"You're always welcome, love,"
And just like that, the evening continued with Quinn meeting up with his different business associates as the event was yet to begin. Others came to him to exchange pleasantries, and make some business-related inquiries and he never failed to introduce me to them as his girlfriend, with his arms holding me like he was claiming his territory. It made butterflies erupt in my stomach whenever he did it, and I was not bothered about being seen as his girlfriend, although we were still walking on eggshells, regarding the state of whatever was going on between us.
The night was going well as he continued socializing across the vast room until my eyes landed on a very familiar face, heading towards us with a bright smile etched on her picture-perfect face, all directed at Quinn_it was the model I'd seen at Ted's home, the one he left me for. Blood drained from my face, and my heart began thudding loudly as my panic began to set in.
I wasn't ready to face her. I just couldn't. Not after everything Ted had revealed to her about me. I quickly turned to Quinn who was still conversing with another man, needing an escape, but at the same time, I couldn't interrupt their discussion.
I had to get away before she'd get to him.
"Umm… Quinn… I…"
Before I could finish my words, the familiar sultry voice sailed into my ears, pinning me in place as my eyes immediately landed on hers, but as though I wasn't there, she kept her gaze firmly on Quinn, who was now smiling at her.
My heart fell, but I felt him tighten his hold on me.
"It's been a while, Quinn. You must be so busy with the business,"
"I could say the same for you, Stacy,"
She laughed softly, placing her perfectly manicured fingers on his bicep.
"Well, it's pleasant to see you again, and I can see you've got a lady with you, as always," her eyes darted to mine, giving me a once over, but I dropped my gaze. "An escort?"
"My girlfriend," Quinn responded in a clipped voice, his smile slipping from his face.
"Oh, come on Quinn, don't pull my legs," her fingers on his bicep squeezed it. "We all know the beauties you've been with. I mean, you always make the tabloids but I doubt that'll be happening tomorrow,"
"I have no care for the tabloids, Stacy but it's obvious this beauty surpasses the rest, and we'll probably make the tabloids if the paparazzi have good eyes,"
Stacy opened her mouth to speak, but she was interrupted by a man, who wrapped his arm around her waist, offering Quinn a smile.
"If you wouldn't mind, Mr. Quinn, I'd like to take this damsel away from you for a bit,"
"Feel free, Adrian,"
With one last glance and a sultry smile directed at Quinn, Stacy and the man walked away, with Stacy adding an extra sway to her slender hips, reminding me of just how curvy I was.
"Baby," Quinn turned to me as soon as they were gone, but I shook my head, smiling weakly.
"It's fine, Quinn," I muttered while struggling to hold back tears.
"You know you're beautiful and I adore you, right?"
I nodded, my smile widening. The more time I spent with this man, the more he melted my heart. How could I resist him when he was so caring and attuned to my emotions?
"Come on, the event is about to begin. Let's find our seats,"
A short moment later, we were all seated and the event began. It turned out to be not just a dinner party but a fundraiser to assist women with mental health issues that have survived abusive relationships, orphans, widows, and widowers. It was so comforting to know that other than Quinn, other wealthy members of the society were concerned about the less privileged. Soon, the donations began, and everyone contributed as many funds as they could. Quinn was not left out.
A while later, it was over and it was time for the party. Slow music filled the arena as different couples headed to the dancefloor, after the wonderful dinner.
"Dance with me?" Quinn asked, stretching out his palm and I gladly accepted.
Gently, he tugged me to my feet and we headed toward the dance floor. With his arms around my waist and mine looped around his neck, we swayed to the soft beat of the music, everything else fading off until my eyes darted behind him to meet the eyes of Stacy, who was glaring daggers at me.
A smile stretched my lips and I had the sudden urge to give her a show. Hence, without thinking it through, I pulled Quinn to me and sealed my lips to his. At first, he was too shocked to respond but when I tried pulling away, his arms around me tightened and he deepened the kiss, slipping his tongue into my mouth to taste me. I sighed, sucking softly on his tongue and pulling him closer.
His kiss was intoxicating, almost drowning me in the moment, but as though I'd just come back to my senses, I retracted my arms from his shoulder and swiftly placed them on his chest, pulling away from the kiss.
"I… I…" I stuttered, attempting to step away but he wouldn't let me.
"No, Alexis," he shook his head in disapproval. "You can't run away from me, again. I won't allow it,"
"Quinn…"
"Shh…" he pulled me against him and whispered in my ear, "come home with me, Alexis, just for the weekend,"
"But..."
"Let me show you how good we can be together, baby. After this, if it doesn't work for you, I'll let you be,"
I sighed and he pulled away, his gaze locking on mine.
"Just this once,"
He sounded so convincing that I began considering his offer. Truly, it'd be fun to spend the weekend with Quinn, and I knew I wouldn't be able to resist getting in his bed. But maybe I needed to enjoy this moment and let go of my baggage for the weekend. Thereafter, I could build stronger walls to guard myself against him.
I'm not yet ready to let him in entirely.
"Okay," I smiled but he grinned, clearly elated.
I only hope I haven't made the wrong decision.