“Thank you,” I said as I smoothed my hand down my thighs. “For sending this dress. I don’t know if anyone could look bad in this. It’s gorgeous.”
“It barely does you justice.” He caught my chin in his hand and held me in place, giving me a kiss that made my toes curl. His tongue swept into my mouth, stroking mine. In response, my body turned to molten butter, soft and soupy. I sagged against him and enjoyed the sweet torment, hoping we had time to burn off a little tension. Much too soon, however, he broke the kiss. “Not now, minx. It’ll have to wait.”
Wait? Ugh. “Where are we going?” I asked as I leaned closer. He smelled so good and looked even better. I wasn’t touching him enough. I needed more. So much more.
“A little dinner. It’s for a charity. I’m giving a presentation.”
“A presentation?” I echoed as my hand slid onto his thigh.
“No worries. It’ll be short. Afterward, we’ll have to make the rounds, shake a few hands. I hate this stuff, but it’s for a good cause. The organization funds educational programs for at-risk youth in the city.”
“Sounds like a great cause. I can handle shaking hands and making small talk.” I let my hand slide a little closer to the bulge hiding under the zipper of his pants.
“Good.” He set his hand on stop of mine, halting its progress. His lips curled slightly into a semi smile then straightened again. “I need to warn you about something. Do you remember Jordan?”
“How could I forget?” I asked as I folded my arms across my chest. I could feel my face burning. I hated that I was blushing. “He was the one…he’s your ‘old friend’ who decided you were going to share me when we went to Antigua.”
“Yes. Jordan will be there tonight. He’s a principle in the organization.”
I felt a slight chill work up my spine. “Oh.”
“Listen,” he cupped my sizzling cheek. “You have nothing to worry about. Jordan and I have discussed everything. He won’t try anything.”
“He better not.”
His thumb dragged across my lower lip. “I can’t be at your side the whole night. You’ll tell me if he says or does anything out of line.”
A big lump of something hard coagulated in my throat. “Are you expecting him to say something?”
“No. Not at all.”
That lump didn’t go away. “Okay. If he does, you’ll be the first to know.”
“Good.” He kissed me again. This kiss was sweet and tender. My heart was doing somersaults by the time it was over. He cupped my cheek and thumbed my lower lip again, which was still tingling. “I’m glad you’re coming with me tonight.”
“Me too.”
The car rolled to a stop.
We were there already?
I glanced out the window. We were parked outside of a large hotel. There were limos in front of us and behind us. We were most definitely in the right place.
But…the ride had been too short. I wasn’t mentally prepared to face Jordan or the billionaires and zillionaires attending tonight’s little event. I saw, as the driver opened our door, Shane had on his serious businessman game face. He had me step out first then followed me.
As we approached the building’s entry, my gaze jumped from one stranger to another. Women sparkling with jewels and gorgeous evening gowns strolled majestically toward the entry. Men knotted up in tuxedos accompanied them.
“This way,” Shane whispered, steering me toward the entry.
Before we reached it, someone called out, “Shane Trant?” It was a female’s voice.
Shane stopped. I turned to watch him greet the woman. She was breathtakingly gorgeous. Well dressed. Well groomed. A string of diamonds glittered at her neck. And a huge stone of some kind caught the light as she lifted her hand to give him a hug. A camera flash blinded me for a moment, a photographer capturing Shane and the woman embracing.
“It’s been such a long time,” the woman said, beaming at him as she smoothed her hand down his arm. “I was beginning to think you’d forgotten me.” She fiddled with Shane’s tie. The intimate gesture made my insides clench.
He gently moved her hands away, lips curling into a ghost of a smile. I knew that expression. I knew it well. My clenched insides twisted. “I could never forget you.”
The woman was pleased by his words. Me, I wanted to get back in the car and go home. I could never forget you. I wondered exactly how much he remembered about her. And how many others he remembered too.
Here I was, all dressed up, pretending this wasn’t the most awkward moment of my life, while that beautiful, rich woman reminded Shane of days gone by. Or maybe it was nights gone by.
How many hours of this would I have to endure?
Ever so discretely, Shane glanced my way. Evidently he could read my body language. He excused himself.
As he returned to my side to escort me into the building, he dipped his head and whispered in my ear, “It isn’t what you think.”
“Are you a mind reader?” I whispered back, forcing a smile.
“I don’t have to be. I can see what you’re thinking. It’s all over your face.”
I amped up the wattage of my fake smile. “What are you talking about? I’m smiling. I’m happy. See?”
His chuckle was low and rumbly. “You can’t lie to me, Bristol.”
Watch me try.
He gave me one last assessing look. “Are you ready to meet a few of our biggest contributors?”
“Sure. Lead on.” I swept my arm across my body.
With his hand on my back, he did just that, escorting me from one small group of attendees to another. I felt awkward, standing silent while Shane chattered away. I’d never seen him so talkative. It was a different side of him, one I hadn’t realized he possessed. I gathered more than my share of curious glances. But other than that I was mostly ignored. I was a trophy date, there to stand by his side and look good and smile on cue. I played my part to the best of my ability until a man came up to us, muttered something about getting started to Shane then hurried away.
Shane pulled me aside, away from anyone who might overhear. “Okay, this is it. In a few minutes I’m going to take you to our table, and then I’m going to make my presentation. You’ll be on your own for just a little while.”
“I can handle it.” I glanced around. “Though I’d like to make a visit to the restroom to wash my hands first.”