Chapter 249: Before the Sun Dips
"Look! Isn’t that Aliana Vanderbilt? And my god, who is that gorgeous man beside her?" One of the women gasped.
"Do you live under a rock? That is Gavriel Valentine, Chairman of the Archon Group and the she-devil’s husband," another one replied.
"That’s him? He almost never makes public appearances!"
"Gods, he looks even better in person!"
"It’s like a sex god is walking among us. Look at the way he has his arm around her waist."
"You’d need special immunity against a husband that gorgeous."
The hushed gasps and murmurs echoed throughout the hall. None of them were particularly discreet, allowing every word to reach the group, yet none of them reacted.
The ones who seemed far more uncomfortable were Cedric and Gwen.
Exchanging apologetic glances, Cedric leaned closer to Aliana and whispered, "Sorry about that, Ali. But you know how people are."
Looking completely unfazed, Aliana simply smiled. "It’s fine. I’m used to it."
Gwen, however, couldn’t stop herself from stealing another glance at Gavriel.
Ever since their eyes had met outside, he hadn’t spared her another look. Yet merely walking close enough beside him was enough to make her heart beat just a little faster.
Then her gaze drifted to the hand resting securely around Aliana’s waist. Something flickered across her eyes.
Sensing a pair of eyes on her, she glanced back over her shoulder only to find Cillian and Jade watching her every move like hawks.
She offered them a sweet, innocent smile, which they returned with razor-sharp perfection before looking away as though nothing had transpired.
Upon reaching the exclusive wing reserved for the most honored guests, Cedric and Gwen took their leave after announcing a pool party scheduled for four in the afternoon.
With two hours remaining before the event, everyone retired to their suites to rest.
Gavriel and Aliana were escorted to the master suite. Andrew was given a room directly opposite Jade, while Cillian occupied the room right next to hers.
Upon entering her suite, Jade’s eyes took in the warm, plush decor.
"Ah, that was exhausting," Jade murmured to herself, crashing onto the king-sized bed.
Her bright green eyes swept over the cosy interiors before landing on a heavy wooden door directly ahead. Assuming it led to the bathroom, she pushed herself up and pulled it open.
To her utter surprise, her eyes landed on a second door set into the wall mere inches away. That was when it dawned on her. The suite had a connecting door.
Realising who occupied the room on the other side, Jade quickly slammed the door shut a little too loudly and leaned her back flat against it, her heart thumping in her chest.
She stood there holding her breath until a firm knock vibrated against the wood right behind her head.
A smooth, sly voice echoed through the panel. "Well, well. I didn’t know I had a peeping tom right next door."
Realising her foolish mistake, Jade squeezed her eyes shut and cursed herself silently for being so careless.
"I thought it was the bathroom," she called out, trying to sound completely unfazed.
A low, amused chuckle filtered through the wooden door.
"The bathroom? Well, that’s certainly the most creative excuse I’ve ever heard from a woman trying to break into my room." He paused for a beat before adding, "But don’t worry. Should you find yourself terrified of the dark tonight, my humble suite will welcome you with open doors."
Jade scoffed. "If I ever willingly step foot in your room, it’ll be to exorcise the demon occupying it. Go take a nap."
"How kinky," Cillian mused. "Rest up, Jade. We have a pool party to survive."
Jade shook her head with a faint smirk tugging at her lips, pushing herself off the door to search for the actual bathroom.
.....
While most of the guests rested in their suites, something far darker was at play inside the grand suite occupied by the bride and groom.
Slap!
The resounding slap echoed through the room.
The sweet, elegant bride she had portrayed herself to be was nowhere in sight, while the warmth in the groom’s eyes had vanished, replaced by nothing but a cold, haunted look.
"I saw you eyeing her like you wanted to feast on her right then and there," Gwen hissed seductively as she grabbed a fistful of Cedric’s hair, forcing his head back while he remained seated on the sofa.
"Is this your way of telling me that you still love her?" she whispered sultrily, as she grabbed his jaw in a tight grip.
Cedric’s breath quickened as he forced out a response. "You know I only love you. She just... looked good."
At his answer, a satisfied smile curved across Gwen’s lips.
"Ah, always so honest. That’s why I love you so much." She gently caressed his cheek before continuing, "You know, otherwise I’d have to call Daddy again. And you know I don’t like doing that, don’t you, my love?"
"Yes," Cedric replied, his voice strained, as though he were fighting something deep within himself.
Her dark blue eyes locked onto his amber hues, searching for any lingering resistance, before she stroked his face once more. "Such a good boy."
She brought her lips down onto his and sealed any protest.
Soon, the heavy, scandalous sounds of ragged breaths and skin against skin filled the room as the sun slowly dipped toward the horizon.
.....
When the clock struck fifteen minutes to four, Aliana stepped out of the bathroom adorned in a navy blue bikini. Her eyes fell on Gavriel standing before the tall gilded mirror, instantly drawing his gaze to her.
For a breathless second, the two of them froze, their eyes locking through the mirror before Gavriel turned slowly to face her directly.
Slowly, their eyes trailed lower, taking in what each of them was wearing.
The air in the room thickened instantly, the temperature spiking into a scorching heat that made Aliana’s pulse quicken under her skin before their gazes collided once more.
At once, their lips parted, the words spilling out simultaneously:
"You look good."
"You’re wearing that?"
Aliana’s brows knitted together at his question, and she asked, "What is wrong with this?"
Gavriel, impeccably styled in an unbuttoned light blue shirt and crisp white tailored pants, did not answer right away. Instead, he began to close the distance between them with a grace that reminded her of a panther stalking its prey.
Aliana swallowed hard, her breath hitching as his rich, intoxicating scent enveloped her senses. His eyes had darkened to a stormy shade, sweeping over the revealing lines of her bikini once more before locking onto her face with terrifying intensity.
"You’d better change while I am asking nicely, Ana." His voice dipped low, yet she did not miss the warning laced in his tone.
Aliana swallowed inaudibly, alarm bells ringing in her head and warning her not to push the gorgeous beast before her.
But her rebellious side kicked in anyway.
Hating the idea of being told what to wear without an explanation, she tilted her chin up and countered, "Or what? It is not like you are even telling me what is wrong with it. Why should I change?"