“Well I’m glad it’s not just me, then.”
The night wore on as Dylan introduced her to more people than she could ever remember. She smiled and was polite in her greetings, never annoyed that a conversation may have gone on longer than it should have when she wasn’t included.
“Excuse me, Ross. It has just come to my attention that I haven’t danced with this beautiful woman.” Wrapping his arm tightly around her waist, Dylan escorted her to the floor.
The man chuckled, waving them on.
“You didn’t have to do that,” Abby laughed as he pulled her into his arms.
“Yes I did. I thought I was going to die of boredom.”
“It wasn’t that bad.” She gasped as he moved her seamlessly into a waltz. “I didn’t know you could dance like this.”
“There’s a lot of things you don’t know.”
She could only nod, agreeing with him. It may feel as though she had known him for a long time, but the fact remained that they had only been seeing each other for a couple weeks.
“I’m sorry if I’ve neglected you tonight.”
“Not at all. I’ve been having a wonderful time.” He pulled away to see her expression, seeming to doubt her words. She laughed. “Truly. This has all been amazing.”
“I can’t imagine every conversation that you’ve endured tonight was fascinating.”
“Well, no. But the atmosphere has made it all so exciting. I’ve been filing it away so I can look back and remember everything. The smells, the music, even the smug expressions on several of the guests’ faces.”
He snorted. “There have been quite a few of those, haven’t there?”
“It’s been wonderful.”
“Abby…” His steps slowed as they edged the floor. “This has been…” his words trailed off as he glanced up, his body going rigid.
“What’s the matter?” Instantly alert, she glanced to the polished couple headed their way.
“Dylan, what a surprise.” The black lace gown the woman wore tightened as she leaned forward, placing her red-tipped nails on his shoulders before giving him a brief kiss. “This is Rodney Holms, my date.” She narrowed her eyes at Abby before masking the look of rage with one of mere curiosity.
Dylan reached out to shake Rodney’s hand before shifting to introduce Abby. “Abby Carter, this is Charisse Miller.” His eyes were frigid, but his tone remained polite.
Abby nodded her greeting, adding a smile because it would have been rude not to. When the silence stretched on, neither of the parties offering any conversation, Abby cleared her throat before breaching the gap. “Where do you know each other from?” she asked innocently.
The woman’s red lips curved as she tossed her short blonde hair. “Oh, here and there. Isn’t that right, Dylan?” With a triumphant look in her eye, she smiled viciously at Dylan. “His company did a little work for me awhile back.”
Dylan’s jaw clenched. “That’s right. Now that you mention it, I thought you were going to be out of town.”
She laughed, waving her hand. “I couldn’t stay away. You know how I love a party. Besides, I had already sent in my RSVP some time ago, it seemed impolite to not show up.” She looked to Abby. “Personally, I was shocked at how late the invitations were sent out this year. When did yours arrive?”
“Actually, I’m Dylan’s guest this evening.”
“I see.” She sneered prettily. “Well, everyone needs a plus one in their lives don’t they?” Catching his frosty glare, Charisse tittered. “We should be off,” she wrapped her arm in Rodney’s. “So many people to say hello to,” she added before leaving.
Abby watched the woman’s retreating form in understanding. She didn’t know when Dylan had been with her, but it was obvious that Charisse was part of his past, and that she would prefer to be part of his future as well.
It wasn’t the first time that she had met someone of Charisse’s character, but Abby was certain it was the first time she had ever felt embarrassed on someone’s behalf. To be that needy, that desperate, to blatantly swipe at a stranger, spoke of how little she valued herself.
“I’m sorry,” Dylan apologized, anger lacing his tone.
“For what?”
“For her behavior. It was unpardonable.” He took her hand. “I can take you home if you’d like to leave.”
“Leave? Whatever for? It’s not the first time that I’ve run into a past girlfriend, Dylan.”
His head whipped to hers. “How did you know?”
“It was obvious. If looks could kill, I would be a bloody heap on the floor now. She still has feelings for you.”
“She never had feelings for me. I was only a temporary fit for her ideal companion.”
“I doubt that. She wants you back.”
He shook his head slowly. “Not happening.”
“How long have you been broken up?”
He hesitated before saying, “A few days before we met.”
“I see.” Abby’s eyes searched the crowd for the woman before turning back toward Dylan. “Do you want her back?”
“Hell no.”
Abby smiled. “All right, then.”
“That’s it?” He pulled her through the crowd, stopping only when they reached the edge of the room, partially shielded by columns. “That’s all you have to say about it?”
“What else would you like me to say?” She looked at him with a questioning brow, feeling calm to his obvious tension.
“I don’t know. I expected accusations, or anger, or something.”
Laughter bubbled from her lips. “Why would I? She’s in your past. And you just told me you wanted her to stay there. I don’t hold that against you. I have people in my past as well. None of them affect the future. And considering that you asked me here tonight, I know that you want me.”
Stunned by her words, Dylan could only look at her in pure amazement. Where had she come from? This beautiful, amazing woman that shocked and intrigued him at every turn?
She never behaved as he expected her to, and he relished every single moment he spent with her. “I adore you.” The words were out before he could retract them. But the way she softened, glancing up at him with an emotion he couldn’t fathom, he didn’t want to take them back. “Come with me.”
“Where?” she whispered, moving up against him.
“Anywhere. Just leave with me.” They were the same words he had used at the club, but he didn’t think he had ever meant them more.
“ All right,” she said softly, rising to her toes and kissing him before taking his hand. “Let’s go.”
Her words lit something inside him, something he didn’t want to analyze. He just reacted. Without saying any goodbyes, he pulled out his phone, dialing his driver as he led her out. “We’re ready to go.”
“I’ll pull up front now. Destination?”
“My place.” He looked to Abby for a rejection and felt a thrill surge through him when she smiled at his answer.
The light was dim in the limo as they drove down the 101 freeway. He didn’t know what to say to her, so overwhelmed by his feelings.
He might not be good with words, but he could show her. Yes, tonight he would show her how much she meant to him, how much he valued her.
“Mr. Thane?” the chauffeur asked, interrupting the moment.
Dylan rolled down the privacy screen. “Yes?”
“I apologize for the interruption, but the oil light just turned on.”
Dylan cursed. “Get off the freeway at the next exit. Pull into a gas station.”
“Is something wrong?” Abby snuggled next to him.
Pulling her close, he gazed into her beautiful eyes, disappointed that the evening would not go according to plan. “Yes. We’re going to have to stop. Most likely, we’ll have to call someone else to pick us up.”
“We won’t be able to make it the rest of the way?”
He shook his head regretfully. If only. “When the oil light goes on it usually means
there’s a leak. If enough oil leaks out then the engine will overheat and break down.”
They were lucky. There were places on this stretch of freeway that he would have never considered stopping at while she was with them. However, this was a nicer part of town, and he felt safe stopping there at this time of night.
They pulled into a relatively empty gas station. “Wait here. I’m going to go check the oil level.”
“All right.”
Popping the hood, he cleaned off the dipstick before inserting it again, frowning when the oil was below range.
Charles, the chauffeur, glanced at the stick. “Do you want me to make a call for you, Sir? Someone could be here within thirty to forty-five minutes.”
“Do it.”
Dylan didn’t wait for the driver to open Abby’s door. He wanted to be the one to help her out of the car. Gripping her hand, he lifted her out, tucking her close to his side. “It looks like we’re going to be stuck here for awhile. I’m so sorry.”
“Hush.” She placed a finger over his lips. “These things happen. And usually for a reason.” She glanced over his shoulder, nodding toward a café. “It’s open. Why don’t we go in and have some coffee while we wait?”
“You are being way too understanding. I don’t deserve it after everything else that has happened tonight.”
She giggled. “Oh, please. Not even you could have guessed that the car would break down. And as a matter of fact, I’ve had a wonderful time. So stop worrying about it.”
“All right.” He squeezed her gently before turning his attention back to Charles. “Will you be all right out here?”
“Yes, Mr. Thane. You go on and I’ll stay with the car.”
Dylan nodded. “I’ll have something brought out to you.”
“Thank you.” Charles smiled with genuine enthusiasm.
His arm still wrapped around her, he led Abby the through to the sidewalk.
“That was kind of you. Not many bosses would be that understanding, let alone offer to send coffee.”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t his fault that the car broke. It happens when you least expect it. There’s only so much maintenance can prevent.”
“It’s still very kind of you.”
He stopped, turning her in his arms. “Abby, tonight was… you were amazing.”
Her dimple winked in the glow from the streetlights. “I had a great time.”
“Jealous ex-girlfriends and breakdown aside?” he teased.
“Even with those.”
A breeze picked up a golden curl, its soft fragrance kissing his cheek before he tucked it behind her ear. “You take my breath away.”
She smiled sweetly, brushing a soft kiss across his lips.
He took her head in his hands, stilling her, forcing her to see the sincerity in his eyes. “I have never met anyone like you. At every turn you amaze me, confuse me, and attract the hell out of me. Thank you.”
He kissed her slowly, gently, pouring the feelings that overflowed from his heart into the kiss, hoping, praying, that she would understand what he was feeling.
Their lips met in a long, lazy meeting, heating and blending until he felt her melt against him. He wanted more, wanted to take her in greedy gulps, but that feeling forced him to slow. He wanted more for her, more for them.
Lost, her hands trailed from his shoulders into his thick hair. She was so open, so giving, so selfless in her passion that it made him want to give more, to make it last longer.
She broke off, her breaths heavy. “You’re teasing me.”
“Do you like it?” he asked wickedly.
“Maybe.” Her lips curved as she wound her arms around his neck.
His mouth fused to hers, wild in demand. “More,” he said between kisses. It was the only thing that kept running through his head. He wanted more of her, more closeness, more openness. But more wasn’t possible. Standing on the street in the middle of Los Angeles, there was only so far he could take this, and they had just reached that point.
Breaking the kiss, he held her against his shoulder. With his breathing ragged, his body was tighter than a bowstring.
It was some time before he regained his senses, slowly recalling his surroundings as the moonlight filtered over his closed lids. He had never felt more relaxed, more at peace, than he did in this moment.
As he did with Abby.
The thought clamped in his mind, sounding a warning bell that was impossible to ignore.
His desire for her, not only the physical aspect, but also the emotional, was more intense, more demanding than he had ever experienced. And holding her, her soft breathing slowing after their passionate kiss, was just as pleasurable. He couldn’t bear the thought of leaving her.
He wanted to be with her like this more often, take her away somewhere where they could be alone, enjoy each other without restriction. And part of him knew that he wanted to dazzle her, show her things that she had never seen.
Guiding her into the coffee shop, he remembered that she didn’t like to drink coffee this late. “Two caramel apple ciders. Large. I also need a large Cuban shot Americano.”
He paid and waited for their drinks before seating her in a plush chair, grateful that the café was empty. “I’m running this out to Charles,” he said, holding the Americano.
She smiled, nodding before taking a sip. “Take your time.”
It only took him a few minutes to hand off the drink to his grateful chauffeur.
After reentering the café, he sat across from Abby, an idea forming in is mind. “I’ve been meaning to tell you that I’ll be going out of town next week. New York.”
“Oh, is it for business?”
“You could say that. I have a meeting scheduled for one afternoon, but I was hoping to stay a few more days and take in the sights. It’s been awhile since I played tourist.”
“I bet you’ll love it. I remember you saying that’s your favorite place.” A smile curved her lips. “You’ll have to take tons of pictures for me since I haven’t seen it yet.”
“About that.” He took her hand, placing a lingering kiss on the back. “I was hoping you’d come with me.”
“Go with you? To New York?”
“I realize we haven’t been together very long—”
“No, it isn’t that,” she said, cutting him off. “I just… it’s just so sudden. I’ve always wanted to go.”
“Then come with me.” His eyes locked with hers, willing her to accept. He’d realized how important this was to him the moment the words were out of his mouth. He’d never felt the need to take someone on a trip with him, to show them around, showering them with gifts and experiences that they wouldn’t otherwise have. But with Abby, he wanted to give her everything. The realization staggered him.
Her fingers combed through a curl. “But where would I stay? How would this work?”
“Well, I want you to feel comfortable. You’ll have your own room, and there’s no obligation for anything in return. As for everything else, I’ll arrange it. It’s my treat.” When she balked, he finished with, “I want you with me. I need more time with you. Please, let me do this.”
It was the right thing to say. Her shoulders relaxed and a smile grew on her face, her eyes lit with excitement. “New York.”
“That’s right.”
She flung herself into his arms with a laugh. “I know other people might think this is crazy, but I don’t care. Yes, I’ll go with you.” She kissed him hard. “Thank you.”
Not that he wasn’t grateful for her enthusiasm, he just wasn’t used to it. Any other woman he had given a gift to had calmly accepted it as her due. But not Abby. Her reaction was warm, genuine, and he felt a surge of happiness move through him, wrapping around his heart as he held her in his arms.
“When do we leave?”
“Next week. Tuesday,” he clarified. “My appointment is Wednesday morning, but should only take a couple of hours. I was thinking we could return on Saturday.”
/> “That sounds wonderful.” She moved in to kiss him again before pausing, a notch forming in her brow. “Wait. Saturday? I can’t.”
Disappointment cut through him. “Do you have other plans that day?”
“No. But I do on Friday. Remember that family Christmas party I told you about? It’s that night. I can’t miss it.” Her shoulders sagged. “I’m sorry. I really wanted to go.”
“We still can.”
She perked up.
“The only day that is necessary is Wednesday. We could leave on Tuesday and return late Thursday night.”
“Perfect!”
He grinned, delighted with her. “Well, keep up your excitement. We’re going to be cramming in a lot in those few days.”
“I can’t wait. And about my family’s Christmas party? I’ve been hoping that you would be my date.” She paused before rushing through the rest. “If you don’t want to, that’s fine. I know my whole family will be there, and I understand if you feel it’s too soon to meet them but—”
“I’d love to.”
“You would?”
“Of course. I can tell this means a lot to you, and I would love to meet the people in your life.”
“All right.”
“Abby, I don’t know if you realize this yet. But you’re important to me. I want to make you happy.” He wasn’t sure he had ever said truer words in his life. He hadn’t figured out his feelings for her, but he knew they were substantial.
When their replacement car arrived, both agreed it was probably for the best if he took her home. It was late, and while he wanted to be with her, it didn’t feel like the right moment for their first night together. Abby had said that sometimes things happen for a reason; perhaps she was right.
He dropped her off at her apartment, kissing her breathless until he reconsidered his decision to take her home.
With a last sultry kiss, she went inside, leaving them both wanting.
He woke up the next day, happy, chipper even. Everything felt right, like it was falling into place. Last night had changed him. She had changed him.
He had never been the type to want one specific woman. To him, one woman was pretty much the same as the next. But not anymore. No one was like Abby.
My Only Wish Page 7