Page 79 of Open To Negotiation

I loved that he was sweet and caring and said that he wanted to take care of me, but I wanted to do nice things for him too. I had plans for dates and little things I could do for him, but I wanted to do more.

So if I called ahead with my credit card, or when I went to the washroom, I could take a detour to the hostess to pay then maybe I could even us out a little. He would be pissed but it would make me feel great.

I was smiling as a knock sounded at the bathroom door announcing the arrival of the unnecessary team to help get me ready.

21

Theo

After getting Quinn settled, I snuck in an hour of work in Asher’s suite next door. Normally we didn’t work on the weekend but with our day off on Monday, I had a few things I needed in place to ensure I could enjoy my time with Noah’s parents and focus on Quinn.

After that, I’d gotten myself ready and was now waiting in the living room for Quinn to come out, her team had already left informing me she was getting her shoes on. I was in a tux with a navy blue bow tie, simple and classic. I’d managed to tame my wavy dark hair back off my forehead, although a single piece had already fallen out of place.

I normally would work to get it to stay back, but I knew Quinn loved that piece of hair and would often lovingly push it back and pat it in place. I would do anything to give her a reason to smile, and to touch me, so I didn’t gel it back like I did a few months before Quinn.

I was adjusting my cuff links when the door opened and I looked up to see her. Pretty sure my brain short circuited.

Her hair was loosely curled with only a few pieces pinned back to keep them out of her face, her makeup was light but accentuated her eyes, making the green stand out. She had simple gold diamond earrings on that matched the single diamond on her necklace and the diamond tennis bracelet on her wrist, those were hers to keep along with the dress, even though we would likely argue about it later.

But what really had taken my breath away was the way she was wearing that fucking dress.

She was in a navy-blue dress that looked stunning against her red hair, it had a tight top and went straight down to the ground with a slit on one side to show her leg and the nude open toed heels she had on. The neckline was modest but her boobs looked incredible. I hadn’t picked the dress, just given them the color. Someone was going to get a big tip for the choice.

Then with a cheeky smile on her face she did a slow spin and I instantly regretted the dress. The whole back was open, showing off the little dimple she had at the base of her spine. The whole thing was being held up by one thin piece of loose material at her shoulders.

“So…” she said as she finished her spin and looked at me.

“Bloody hell.” I resisted the urge to run a hand down my face and adjust myself in my pants. “You look incredible.”

“Thanks,” she beamed at me.

That smile alone was worth me having to glare at every man who would look at her tonight. “You should change,” I grumbled as she walked toward me, ignoring my comment.

“How did you get my size right?” she asked, coming up to me and adjusting my bow tie, even though I knew it was perfectly straight.

“My secret,” I said and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek. “You look beautiful, Love.”

“You don’t look so bad yourself, handsome.” Her eyes roaming over me.

Shit, if we didn’t get out of here, we would be late because my whole body was alive with that look.

“Everyone is waiting for us downstairs.” I cleared my throat as I offered her my arm and ushered her out of the room to the elevator.

“It is seriously a good thing you shopped for me because I would’ve never picked something this fancy for a charity event,” she said with a laugh.

When we stepped into the hotel lobby, everyone else was already waiting for us. They’d chosen to forgo dates since it was harder to arrange now that we weren’t living here. They all turned to us as we joined the group.

“Damn, Q.” Noah whistled. “You look hot.”

“Watch it.” I threw him a glare and pulled her closer as she laughed.

She let go of my arm as we made our way toward the limo, it was a short walk to where the event was being hosted but I didn’t want Quinn to have to walk in her heels. Asher came up beside me and clapped me on the shoulder.

“You’re regretting the dress choice, aren’t you?” he asked with a laugh as we both stared at her open back.

Five minutes later we were pulling up out front of the Kensington Palace Pavilion. We’d rented the full event venue, including the garden with a fountain the size of a pool so people were able to move easily from indoor to outdoor. It was the third year in a row the event had been held here.

“Wow,” Quinn mused as I gave her my hand to help her out of the limo. “This place is insane.” She looked around as I led her inside. I hadn’t told her what this event was for. I’m surprised she was letting me get away with it, but I think there was enough going on to distract her.