Chapter 43

• JOAN'S POV
• As the limo pulled up to the entrance of the gala, my heart raced. The moment the door opened and Derrick stepped out, the blinding flashes of cameras made my pulse quicken. He turned back toward me, offering his hand. His dark, commanding presence seemed to make everything around him fade, as if he alone controlled the scene. I hesitated for a second, not used to this kind of attention, but then I took his hand and stepped out into the madness of flashing lights and voices calling out his name.
• The photographers didn’t hesitate to capture every second, their cameras snapping away furiously as Derrick wrapped an arm around my waist, drawing me closer. His grip was firm—possessive almost—and I couldn’t help but feel the electricity between us. I knew this was all for show, a public display for the paparazzi and the high-profile guests that awaited us inside. But that didn’t stop the warmth that rushed through me at his touch.