“Thank you all very much.” He spoke into the mic. “This award means a great deal to me, and I’m sorry it took me so many years to join you here. I promise I’ll make every effort to show up in the years to come...”
He looked at his speech. “I have a few people I’d like to thank for inspiring me. First, I’d like to thank Mr. Lowell, the only professor who openly encouraged his own students to drop out,” he said, laughing. “I’d also like to thank my parents who left old devices around the house and helped me to realize what my true talent was...My employees who make me work harder every day, my good friend and head of security Corey Walters, every corporation that I’ve ever partnered with, my worst enemy—Damien Edwards, and most importantly, the woman who has...” He paused, looking at the sheet of paper in his hands as if he couldn’t believe what he’d written. He cleared his throat. “I’d like to thank my good friend Stacy Rodriguez who manages to put up with me through it all. Thank you all very much.”
The crowd clapped and remained standing as he put the mic down and began to take pictures with the people onstage.
“He’s so sexy...” “I know! I wish I was Stacy Rodriguez tonight!” The two women behind me laughed.
My chest tightened as I watched him slip his arm around Stacy, as I watched the two of them smile together and pose for pictures.
Tears fell down my face and I made no move to wipe them away. I kept wishing that he would turn around, that he would see my face in the crowd and walk towards me, but he kept posing for pictures—laughing and shaking hands, like he didn’t care about me at all.
He pulled Stacy against his side as he prepared for another photo. The flash went off three times and she stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek.
I’ve had enough of this shit...
I pushed my chair up to the table and walked towards the stage, weaving my way through all the suits and adoring women who kept gushing over him. I took the steps on the right side of the stage and paused, looking at Jonathan as he bent down for another kiss from Stacy.
“Claire?” Damien grabbed my wrist. “Are you okay? Are you that ready to go? I’ll—”
I snatched my hand away from him and walked towards the center of the stage.
“And thank you so much for your generous gift, Mr. Statham. My company is so honored that you—”
“Excuse me.” I stepped directly in front of the man who was addressing Jonathan.
“Yes, Miss Gracen?” Jonathan raised his eyebrow.
“Kyle, get security.” I heard someone murmur. “This is the tenth time this week...”
I took one step closer to Jonathan and looked into his eyes. I wanted to say something, but the words were trapped in my throat and I couldn’t concentrate with everyone in the audience staring at me.
I closed the gap between us and wrapped my arms around his neck, kissing him as if we were the only people in the room. I heard the crowd’s collective gasp, saw Damien’s jaw drop from the corner of my eye, but I didn’t care.
I shut my eyes and kept kissing him, pressing myself against his chest—trying to force his lips apart with my tongue. It wasn’t until I blinked my eyes open that I realized he wasn’t kissing me back.
I drew my arms away and stepped back—noticing that he was still raising his eyebrow at me, confused. I looked out into the silent crowd, blushing bright red as the women began whispering to one another.
“I’m...I’m so sorry...” I stammered. “I thought that if I...that if I...” I felt the tears falling. “I’m sorry...I...” I looked around at all the people on the stage, at the angry expression that was on Damien’s face.
I turned around to face Jonathan again and shook my head. “I’ll get out of your way now...I...I really am sorry and—”
“Don’t be.” He pulled me back into his arms and pressed his lips against mine, suffocating me with a long, appreciative kiss. I could feel his mouth upturned into a smile as he caressed my tongue with his, as he kissed me like there was no tomorrow.
“Mr. Statham...” Greg cleared his throat, but Jonathan held me even tighter and kept kissing me.
“Mr. Statham? Mr. Statham!” Greg’s voice was firmer, making Jonathan finally pull away.
“Yes, Greg?” He grinned at me.
“You have a list of other people to take pictures with and speak to tonight. If you would like, I can escort Miss—”
“No, I’ll take care of it.” He kissed me one more time and walked over to the people on the other side of the stage.
I could only hear fragments of what he was saying—“First thing tomorrow...” “I need to address this now...” “Yes, I’ll sign whatever you want tomorrow...” “I’ll donate double...” “Thank you so much...”
The orchestra began to play on the back stage—one of the organizers had frantically run back there once I kissed him, and the crowd slowly diverted their attention from us to the dance floor.
I saw him walk over to Stacy and say a few words, and then I felt Damien grabbing my hand.
“Is this some type of joke, Claire?” His eyes hardened. “I bring you here and you f**k my competition?”