Page 39 of Scandal
“He patted me on the head and asked if I wanted his autograph.”
“Tell me you said no?”
“I said no.” I grin. “I was a lot more impetuous back then.”
“And you’re not now?”
“Not usually. I’m incredibly boring.”
“There is nothing boring about you, Mercury Creed.” He catches my gaze, and I swear the air around us starts to sizzle. This can’t be one-sided, can it?
This connection?
“We’re here, my lord,” the driver says, and I instantly tear my eyes away from his. It feels like I’m leaving a piece of myself behind.
“Right, thank you,” Asher answers, pushing a hand through his dark hair.
“Your mother has asked that you exit separately from Miss Creed.”
“She what?”
The driver shrinks back into his seat. “I am supposed to take Miss Creed to the staff entrance.” He pauses. “I’m sorry, my lord. That’s just what I was told.”
Asher lets out a heavy sigh. “No, of course. It’s not your fault.”
“She doesn’t want us to be seen together?” I question. “But I thought?—”
He shakes his head. “Doesn’t matter what she wants. We’re leaving this car together.”
He offers me his hand.
I smile, taking it. “Together.”
“Here’s what’s about to happen,” he says in a calm, clear voice. “I’m going to get out and walk around the car to your side. I’ll open your door and offer you my hand. Take it, step out, and we’ll pose briefly for the cameras, then walk inside. There’s tight security, so it shouldn’t be a zoo, but you never know.”
“Okay.”
“Do you remember what I told you at your father’s event back in LA?”
I smile and nod. “The trick is to act like you don’t give a shit.”
“Exactly.”
Then he pulls our joined hands to his lips and kisses my damn knuckles like I’m the most precious thing in existence right before he opens the door and steps out of the limo into a sea of flashing lights.
Asher Knight is officially back, and soon the whole world will know.
He steps out of the limo, adjusts his sleek black tuxedo jacket, and waves. The cameras flash as he smiles and steps away from the limo to walk to the other side.
My side.
I swear the whole world holds its breath as he reaches for the door handle, opens it, and holds out his hand.
Or maybe it’s just me?
The shit-eating grin on his face has my stomach in somersaults as I step out of the limo and join him. The press were fairly tame up until now, but the moment they see me? Instant pandemonium.
“Who’s your date, Asher?”
