Chapter 23
Silver’s POV
My heart was racing as I stared up at Elliot. Was he really the owner of this art gallery? Did that mean he was the one who sent me the invitation for the auction?
My mind was whirling with different thoughts as Elliot turned to see a pale-faced Barret as he shrunk under Elliot’s scrutiny.
Leo appeared by my side, and he took it upon himself to calm the growing crowd around us.
“Rest assured, Alpha Elliot is the owner of this gallery and Miss Silver Stormwind is his wife. If you disrespect her, you disrespect him as well. Please, resume your activities and pay us no mind,” Beta Leo ordered, his voice having a sense of authority over the crowd.
The crowd murmured excitedly as they gazed at me and then at Elliot.
“He must be the one in her paintings!” Someone in the crowd said to the others.
“It makes so much sense now!” Some else cooed.
With curious whispers and glances in my direction, the crowd departed, and the music resumed.
“I… I had no idea she was your wife, Alpha,” Barret said, keeping his head lowered. “Please accept my apologies p>
“Apologize to my wife for your blatant disrespect, Mr. Anders,” Elliot said, his voice bitter.
Barret looked at me and I could see the fear behind his gaze.
“I’m sorry, Miss Stormwind, please accept my apology p>
I didn’t respond; I was too stunned to speak.
“Good, now get out. You’re fired,” Elliot said, turning his back toward Barret.
I gasped and Barrett stammered backwards.
“But Alpha p>
“Don’t make me repeat myself, Barret. Leave before another scene is caused p>
Without another word, Barret left the cocktail party.
Elliot motioned for one of the gallery workers to approach us and when she did, I recognized her immediately from the auction.
“Please take my wife to get changed. I know there’s extra clothes upstairs,” Elliot ordered.
“Yes, Alpha,” she said, motioning for me to follow her. I gave Elliot a brief look before following the worker upstairs and into a bedroom. I didn’t know this gallery doubled as a home as well and I wondered who lived here.
She rummaged through the closet and uncovered a gorgeous black dress, but it was a little too revealing for my taste and I felt a little strange putting it on. The dress was completely backless, and it revealed a little too much of my cleavage.
The worker looked at me with satisfaction though, so I swallowed my embarrassment and followed her back down the stairs and to Elliot.
When he saw me, his eyes darkened, and I saw a look of desire crossing his face as he took in the new dress. I thought he was going to be upset that I was showing off so much of my cleavage like Gavin would have been, but a small smile spread across his lips as he closed the gap between us.
“Dance with me,” he said, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling my flesh against him.
My heart leaped in my throat as I gazed up at him. The music had slowed down, and the lighting dimmed slightly. I wrapped my arms around his neck and allowed him to pull me toward the dance floor where others were dancing with their partners as well.
As we danced, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of protection in his arms. The way he was looking at me made my cheeks flush and I was no longer feeling embarrassed about the dress. His warmth enveloped me, and I put my face against his chest, listening to the steady beating of his heart as we danced around the gallery.
I’m not sure how long we danced for, but I felt nothing, but ease and I wanted this moment to last for a long time.
Elliot bent to whisper in my ear, “Would you like to return home p>
Home.
That sounded nice coming from his lips. It wasn’t just his home anymore… it was our home.
I nodded against his chest and peeked up at him through my lashes.
“Yes,” I answered.
We returned to the mansion; Elliot’s lips were on mine before we even got to our bedroom. He lifted me in his arms, and I kissed him with a hungry passion, never wanting to stop kissing him. His lips were sweet and soft against mine, moving in a familiar rhythm that made my heart sore and my core gush with need.
I felt my dress loosen as he undid my straps, leaving me in just my bra and panties. His lips trailed down the nape of my neck, sucking on a specific spot that sent incredible chills down my spine. I couldn’t help but shiver against him as he paid extra attention to that soft part of my neck.
Elliot kicked something on the ground, and he froze to look at it.
I gasped.
I completely forgot I left that painting in here! I went a little risqué last night when I couldn’t sleep, thinking too much about this cocktail party. One thing lead to another and I made a painting p>