Babes Stripping For Love

Cassidy felt uneasy since morning came, she wasn’t feeling confident about the formal dinner that Rowan was taking her to that night. Everything seemed over her head though Rowan convinced her otherwise.

When the evening arrived, she was dressed in the black Dior gown, styling her hair and putting on her makeup to perfection. Her mood was still on edge. Her mind kept on wondering if she made the right decision by agreeing to accompany Rowan.

And her insecurity was reflected in her expression when Rowan saw her. “Hey, what’s the matter?”

“Um, I don’t know, I’m really not sure about tonight. You know, you bring me as your plus one, and everyone knows that I’m a Rhodes.”

Looking at Cassidy, Rowan could see that it was more than that. “There’s more, tell me?” Rowan planted a soft kiss on the crook of her neck while looking at her through the mirror where she nervously straightened her already perfectly fitted dress.

“I don’t want to embarrass you. People know Heather, she was perfect. I used to envy her whenever I saw you with her. She was so beautiful, people admired her looks.” Cassidy hated that he now knew what she thought of his ex.

“Well, that’s not what I think, and in your mind which opinion matters? mine or other people’s?” He trailed kisses to the side of her neck, “Cassie, you’re better than her, in every way. Don’t you ever forget that.” Rowan whispered huskily in her ear, putting his hands on her waists, stepping closer, and kissing her cheek from behind. She shuddered and closed her eyes for a second when she felt his warmth on her back.

Cassidy gasped when he surprised her by pulling out a velvet box from the inner pocket of his tailored designer suit. He opens the box and takes out a simple diamond-encrusted necklace. “Oh, Rowan, it’s too beautiful. I didn’t know you have such nice taste.” She thanked him for the lovely necklace and couldn’t help but tease him.

“Wait, I’m not done yet,” he smirked and pulled out a smaller matching velvet box.

“Oh my, you have magical pockets,” she exaggerated her gasp, giggling feeling better already.

When they finally left his house Cassidy was happier and more confident. Her fingers touched the thin diamond bracelet. She never had anyone giving her jewelry, she was still too flattered when Rowan bought her gowns. Cassidy was already feeling spoiled, but when he gave her the necklace and bracelet she never felt so adored in her entire life before.

The hotel venue was decorated beautifully, the people were dressed to perfection. Cassidy was a bit shy when she was introduced to a couple of his colleagues, but she held her own and stood by him making small talk with his friends. She took the compliments about her beauty, and she smiled shyly all while feeling the warmth of Rowan’s hand on her waist.

Jordan Adler, her dad’s partner was there and if he was surprised seeing Cassidy in Rowan’s arms, he didn’t say anything but talk about business with him.

Her family lawyer, Ferguson, was there with his wife. Cassidy smiled, he greeted both of them and his wife hugged her and they talked about her brothers for a while. Cassidy was feeling more at ease, as she took another glass of champagne from Rowan.

“Rowan, I didn’t think you’d bring a date.”

Cassidy flinched at her voice, she recognized her condescending tone. The woman hasn’t changed one bit, still beautiful, still laced with venom. But she didn’t expect Heather to remember her.

“Well, look at that, if it isn’t little Rhodes girl. Hello Crissy,”

“It’s Cassidy, and be nice Heather, she’s my date and what are you doing here?” Rowan interrupted, he was irritated that out of all the people he had to meet her.

“Well, I’m here with my date, I don’t know if you’re still sore about losing him to your competition.” She smiled wickedly before tapping a man behind her. “Hoyt, honey, come meet your old boss.”

Cassidy could see the situation was not in her favor, Rowan looked like he was about to explode, but his face was blank the second an attractive man, probably a couple of years younger than Rowan turned to face us.

“Mr. Madden,” He smiled and held out his hand, Rowan smiled back and they both politely shook hands.

“Please call me Rowan, I know you got a promotion. You deserve it, Hoyt, you’re a bright man. I just need to let you know that you wouldn’t find any insider secrets about my ex. I never divulged nor discussed any work-related matter. Though she might know a thing or two about our pool boy.” He smirked and Hoyt’s calm facade dropped for a couple of seconds before he was back to his happy-ass-kissing-self… Rowan was watching Holt under his intense glare then within seconds, he shoved his feelings away.

Heather flushed pink, the anger was visible in her eyes as if she was throwing dagger with her gaze. Cassidy was sure that her champagne glass could break at any given moment, she saw Heather was gripping it with a bit too much force. Probably trying to calm herself down. Who the fuck care.

“Oh, we’re not… I just need to bring a date,” Hoyt chuckled, clearly didn’t have any consciousness about hurting his date’s feelings, or he was just the type of guy that like to save his own ass. Who knew?

Heather continues to groan and muttered that she was going to the bar for a drink, completely disregarding Cassidy who stepped closer to Rowan and was glad when he draped his arm around her shoulder. Her date smiled and he introduced her to Hoyt.

“Actually Rowan, now that I have your time, I’d like to discuss a possible…” Again the guy clearly didn’t have any regard for dating etiquette, no respect for his date or other people’s. But Rowan did, and he kept Cassidy close, telling Hoyt that business talk can wait until tomorrow, if not feel free to discuss it with Cassidy among them.

Hoyt was happy to discuss business in front of Cassidy, to which she stayed and listened as the guy kept on talking. Hoyt’s new endeavor was good. The opportunity for both of them to close the deal sooner than him going in as a single contender for the bid was way better.

“I appreciate your spirit Hoyt, why don’t I meet you tomorrow at the golf course and discuss it further?”

“Really?” he beamed with excitement and nodded with a wide smile on his face.Exclusive © content by N(ô)ve/l/Drama.Org.

“Yes, really,” they talked some more before Rowan excused themselves telling Hoyt that he had other people he wanted to talk to before he go back.

Cassidy excused herself to go to the ladies’ room, and she cursed lowly when she saw Heather was fixing her lipstick and gossiping with another woman in a short dress, definitely too short for the event. Heather’s back was to Cassidy, she didn’t notice when she was obviously talking about her.

“… he’s getting in her pants for her money and her family’s name. He’s a slut for money and power, he’ll throw her away once he achieves his goals and in the end, he will come crawling back to me, and when he does…”

Cassidy didn’t listen to her words as Heather was spreading gossip about her. It had started and Cassidy didn’t like it. This was the part she hated at gatherings, people talked, and society judged.

“Can we leave now?” she put her hand on Rowan’s arm, pulling his attention to her as he was still talking with another couple.

“Cassie? is everything okay?”

“Yeah, I’m just tired.”

“Alrighty then, I guess that’s my cue. I’ll shuffle my calendar and I’ll have my PA contact yours and we’ll set up a meeting.”

They leave the venue in less than fifteen minutes. Cassidy was back-tracking her mind and remembering all the words Heather spitted out. One thing was for sure she needed to go home and process everything.