Chapter 97: The Love of My Life.
Chapter 16 - The Love of My Life.
Rosie
I was just getting ready to leave the Winter Manor after my lesson when I noticed the driver waiting by the car wasn’t the usual one. I paused on the steps, refusing to get in until the man stepped forward and politely explained that he had been specifically ordered by Jude to pick me up.
I raised an eyebrow in suspicion because the last I checked, Jude was out of state for his hockey games. Pulling out my phone, which I’d kept on Do Not Disturb during my study session with Elena, I found a text message from him sent a few hours ago.
Dear Wifey, There’s an occasion tonight, and I need you by my side. A driver is on his way to pick you up.
After reading the message, I slid into the backseat as the driver navigated through unfamiliar streets before pulling up to an elite designer boutique. Before I could even ask questions, I was ushered inside by a team of stylists.
When they were finally finished with me, I stared at the mirror in shock. They had dressed me in a breathtaking black gown. The front was a sleek, high halter-style neckline that covered my collarbone, but it was strapless and left my back bare down to the waist. A slit ran up my mid-thigh, showing off a pair of small black heels with ankle hooks. My hair was styled beautifully, and the makeup artist had given me a flawless, sultry look.
The moment I was guided out of the boutique, my heart began to thud violently against my ribs. Jude was standing by the car, waiting for me. He was wearing a tailored suit that matched the black of my dress. His dark hair was styled back, making him look mature and undeniably manly. A sudden wave of emotion hit me, and I realized I had actually missed him. I missed his handsome, annoying face and his constant, shameless teasing.
As I was checking him out, his amber eyes locked onto me. They instantly clouded with an intense heat, and without a word, he smoothly slipped his suit jacket off his shoulders and draped it gently over me.
“You look so beautiful, wifey, that I want to turn right around and take you straight back home,” he lamented, his deep voice sending a shiver down my spine. “But since we have to go, hold still.” He reached into his pocket and carefully fastened a stunning necklace around my neck, completing the look.
I looked up at him through my lashes. “You look dashing yourself, Jude," I complimented.
Jude stilled; he looked taken aback with an uncharacteristic shyness suddenly washing over his features. To my surprise, the tips of his ears turned a shade of red, and he quickly rubbed the back of his neck, looking away.
It was cute.
Clearing his throat loudly, he opened the car door. “Let’s go before we’re late.”
I nodded, clutching the small purse the stylists had handed me as I stepped into the vehicle. “Where exactly are we going?”
“There’s a small gala tonight hosted by the federation,” he explained as the car glided into traffic.
I nodded quietly, calming my racing nerves. I was only going because I was his wife, but when we arrived, camera flashes exploded from every angle, almost blinding me. Sensing my instant nervousness, Jude smoothly slid his hand to my lower back, his thumb gently rubbing soothing circles against my bare skin as he safely guided me through the crowd of reporters.
The interior of the gala venue was stunning—towering crystal chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow over the ballroom, where slow music and soft laughter mingled; impeccably dressed servers roamed the floor with silver trays of champagne.
An older-looking man in a tuxedo sauntered over to meet us on the way. “Ah, you made it, Mr. Winter,” the man greeted, shaking Jude’s hand.
“I was invited, so I had to answer the call,” Jude joked, returning the man’s smile.
The man’s eyes then drifted to me, widening slightly. “And who is this beautiful lady?”
Jude smiled, his arm wrapping securely around my waist as he pulled me flush against his side. “Ah, let me introduce you. This is the love of my life, Rosie Winter.”
My heart did a flip at the casual ease with which he said it as the two men talked for a few minutes before Jude guided me over to our designated table. The second our food arrived, Jude naturally reached over, took my plate, and cut my steak into bite-sized pieces before handing it back. He then flagged down a passing server and strictly requested they switch my alcoholic drink out for a non-alcoholic mocktail. I nearly swooned at the behavior; Jude was sweet and attentive.
“I need to step away for a few minutes to talk to a federation official,” Jude whispered, leaning down so his lips brushed the side of my head. “If you feel uncomfortable at any point, just tell me and we’ll leave immediately. If anyone gives you any issues, let me know.”
I nodded, watching his tall figure disappear into the crowd. Once he was gone, the atmosphere felt suffocating. This elite was the Jude world, and it was overwhelming; I felt like a stranger here. I even spotted a famous actor talking to a group near the bar.
Sighing, I stood up from the table and walked out onto the quiet, secluded balcony to get some fresh air. The evening breeze was freezing, causing me to pull Jude’s suit jacket tighter around my shoulders. Inhaling deeply, I caught the calming scent of his cologne. I was just starting to relax when the balcony doors clicked open, and two girls sauntered out.
Don’t ask me how I knew, but I could feel the drama was coming with how arrogant they looked and walked. I mentally pinched the bridge of my nose; I didn’t sign up for banter this night.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” the girl in the pink dress demanded, crossing her arms.
I didn’t answer but took a slow sip of my drink. Moments like this made me wish I had my earpiece on so I could block out the unwanted noise of buzzing flies.
“Don’t you hear me?” she snapped, stepping closer when I ignored her.
Her friend chimed in, stepping up to grab my forearm. “When someone is talking to you, you’re supposed to respond.”
I smiled tightly, reigning in my impulses as I rolled my eyes, really not wanting to deal with a rich-girl tantrum tonight. I recognized the girl in pink; earlier, the federation man had introduced her as his niece.
“Who are you again?” I asked, my tone completely nonchalant.
The girl’s face twisted in anger, her foot stomping against the ground. “You! You are way too fat and completely unworthy of Jude!” she cried out, her voice dripping with venom.
I looked at her with genuine pity. “Wait. Do you actually think calling someone fat is an insult?” I tilted my head to the side, giving her a bored look. “Please, go find another and try to be a bit more creative. And as for your question about whether I’m worthy or not... that’s for my husband to decide. But who exactly are you to have a say in it?”
The girl gritted her teeth, her cheeks turning red with embarrassment. And it was clear she was a spoiled brat who had someone to put her in her place. I stared at her and saw the calculation in her eyes, noticing as her hand tightened around her wine flute. I knew what she was about to do, but before she could lift her hand to splash her wine over my dress, I moved first. I raised my glass and splashed my drink into her face.
Both girls gasped in horror, the girl in pink sputtering as the liquid ruined her makeup and dripped down her dress. Huffing in pure rage, she turned on her heel and began to march away. “I won’t ever forget this!” she yelled over her shoulder.
“Don’t forget it! Add it to your life lessons!” I shouted back, laughing at her.
“You did well, wifey.”
I startled, turning around to see Jude stepping out from the shadows of the balcony, an amused grin on his face, while I rolled my eyes, leaning my hands back against the railing. “I just really didn’t like her attitude,” I grumbled.
Inside the ballroom, a new, slow song began to filter through the doors, and Jude stepped closer, stretching out his open hand toward me. “Let’s dance.”
I stared at his palm. “You know I don’t know how to dance the way your people dance, Jude.”
He let out a low chuckle; his eyes softened with warmth. “I’ll lead.”
Before I could object, he gently pulled me into his chest, his hand settled firmly on my lower back, his fingers pressing into the bare skin exposed by my gown, while his other hand securely held mine. We began to slowly sway to the rhythm of the music under the moonlight.
When the song finally came to an end, the spell broke, and I tried to detach myself from his hold. But Jude’s grip only tightened. He pulled me forcefully against his hard chest, his warm breath fanning across my face.
“You look so beautiful tonight, Rosie,” he murmured, his deep voice dangerously low.
His eyes slowly trailed down from my gaze, locking onto my lips. I gulped, my heart rate instantly skyrocketing before I could even open my mouth to tell him off. Jude lowered his head. He captured my lips with his.
My eyes went wide with shock as an intoxicating jolt of electricity bolted straight through my body, leaving me paralyzed as he pulled me deeper into the kiss.
***
I love both of them
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