by Lynda Aicher
His thumb caressed the back of her hand as he made a pointed scan of her. Appreciation smoldered in his eyes when he finished. “You look stunning.”
The open honesty in both his voice and gaze brought a rush of uncommon shyness. “Thank you,” she murmured. “As do you.”
His tuxedo fit him perfectly. The classic cut in basic black with a traditional black tie was the perfect statement of refined formality. His beard was barely there tonight, more of a shadow than actual scruff, but he still had that dark and dangerous aura that’d drawn her from the start.
He brought her hand to his lips and brushed a soft kiss over the backs of her fingers. The gallant action would’ve made her chuckle if any other man had executed it. On him, though, it came across exactly as he’d most likely intended. Dirty and lust-filled when combined with the smolder in his gaze.
Her knees melted beneath her floor-length gown, but she managed to hold her composure. A part of her brain knew she should look away from him, but she couldn’t get herself to do so. “What are you doing here?”
He gave a quick glance around as a smirk grew. “I believe I was summoned to support a very noble cause.”
“Summoned?”
“I was informed by Trevor that he’d reserved me a seat.”
A laugh slipped out at his explanation. “That sounds like Trevor.”
“Did I hear my name?” Trevor said as he stepped up beside them. His smile was locked in that perfected charm mode she found easy to identify but most didn’t.
“I was just informing Kennedy of the warm invite you extended to me for this event.” He held Trevor’s gaze for a beat, something unspoken exchanged between the two. “I’m glad I accepted.”
Trevor glanced to the hold Matt still had on her hand. How had she not noticed that? Yet she didn’t pull hers away.
“You look lovely, Ken,” Trevor said, bending to brush a kiss on her cheek. He squeezed her shoulder as he pulled back. “Thank you for coming.”
“I wouldn’t miss it.”
He nodded, a true smile settling on his face. “I know.” He turned and greeted another guest on his next breath.
Matt drew her away with a light touch to her back. “How about a drink?”
“Perfect,” she agreed, her nerves settling beneath the simple enjoyment of being near him. Yes, she was succumbing to the things she swore she’d never feel around a man, but right then, she didn’t care. Tingles spread up her back from where his hand rested, and she welcomed the sense of security he projected. She didn’t need it, yet she relished it anyway.
Or was it belonging? Here, among the very crowd she’d been raised in, she enjoyed the sense of being connected to him.
“Gin and tonic, right?”
She smiled. “Good memory.”
A spark flared in his eyes before he turned to order from the bartender. She took the opportunity to step away and tried to find her bearings. She was bound to run into him again, she just hadn’t expected it to be so soon. Especially in a setting she usually mastered but had been distracted from before she’d even entered.
Because of Matt.
She tossed up her chin, rolled her shoulders back. This was her domain. Matt’s presence didn’t change that. A scan of the room showed the Bay Area elite at their finest. Diamonds glittered, dresses sparkled and money dripped from every pretentious gesture. And then there was Matt.
He meshed, yet his sober calm set him apart. She caught multiple people eyeing him up. He was a new face in the sea of standards. New money? Someone passing through? A guest? She could see the questions forming, although no one approached. He was a mystery…except to her.
She smiled at that, loving the knowledge she held.
“Thank you,” she said, accepting the drink from Matt. “Are you here alone?” The question just occurred to her. Her stomach took a dive at the thought of him having a date. Why, though? She normally didn’t care.
“Yes.” He put his arm around her again as they drifted away from the bar. “You?”
Warmth spread when she recognized his disgruntled tone. “Yes.” She shot him a side-glance, lips teasing upward. “At least for now.” There was her game.
He leaned into her. “Not anymore.”
And there it went. She stared at him, eyes wide in playful shock. She should contradict him, yet… He raised that brow in a dare she recognized. Goose bumps chased each other over her chest, her nipples pebbling. Hopefully, the lace on her bodice hid the inappropriate display.
“Don’t get cocky,” she warned as she turned to study the room. There were people she should talk to. Networking was a continuous obligation. “Come on.” She looped her hand around his arm. “Let me introduce you to some people.”
He didn’t object as she led him to a group of Area businessmen. He joined the conversation like a pro, saying the appropriate things without pushing himself or his company. She admired his tact while wondering about his background. McPherson had been sold some time back, but she’d only heard a trickle of information about the man who’d bought Howard out. Not that Howard McPherson had been big in these circles.
But here was Matt. Friends with Trevor. Invited to the Boardroom. Crashing one of the wealthiest benefits of the year and all without a whisper spread about him. That in itself was something to admire or be suspicious of.
They’d circulated through a few more groups before she ran into her parents. She sucked in a quick breath, then stepped up to sweep a kiss on her mother’s cheek. “Hi, Mom.” She turned to her father. “Dad.” She sent him a smile, skipping the hug he wouldn’t want.
Raymond Keller was a stout man built on determination and a solid work ethic. His receding hairline only added to the air of stubborn bluntness that defined him. Even dressed up in his best tux, he couldn’t quite shake the rugged edge.
“Kennedy,” he barked. “I thought we’d see you here.” He turned to Matt, frowning. “And you are?”
She laughed to cover her father’s directness. “Dad, this is Matt Hamilton. He’s the new owner of McPherson Trucking. We met down in Long Beach and have been talking over possible collaboration efforts that would benefit us both.”
“You have?” Her dad hit her with his customary scowl. He didn’t like being left out of the loop on anything. “This is the first I’m hearing of it.”
“We’re still in the opening phases,” Matt said, extending his hand to her father. “It’s nice to meet you. Kennedy’s spoken highly of you both.” He included her mother in his glance.
Her father couldn’t not accept his handshake without looking like a total ass. He mumbled a greeting in return before Matt focused on her mother.
“I see where Kennedy gets her beauty.” He managed to pull off the tired line with a charm that worked perfectly on her mother.
“Thank you,” her mother said with all the grace of a royal. Andrea Keller never passed over a compliment, especially from a handsome man. Her mother’s rigid routine of facials, exercise and spa treatments kept her appearance youthful. Petite and always stylish, her gown was a declaration of sophisticated elegance. “You’re very kind.” She shot Kennedy an approving smile that shouldn’t have pleased her, but it did.
“I only speak the truth.”
“What are these dealings you two have been talking about?” her father charged back in. He shot a suspicious eye between them.
“I’ll brief you next week,” Kennedy hedged, unconcerned but irritated at the unnecessary lie she’d created. All to avoid questions about why she was with Matt.
“Why not now?”
“I believe we’re being summoned,” Matt interjected, motioning to the flow of people entering the theater. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” He nodded to her mother before he focused on her father. “I look forward to seeing where our companies can help each other.”
He guided her away with an authority that managed to shut her father down. Her chuckle rolled free when they were out of earshot. “That was fabulous,�
�� she told Matt, laying a hand on his arm. “I’m impressed.”
Amused question showed on his expression, but he didn’t respond as they wove through the people and tables. The large hall had been decked out in more holiday finery that managed to be beautiful instead of tacky. A large stage dominated the front of the room, the tables arranged to provide optimal views.
“What table are you at?” he asked, leaning in to be heard over the din of the crowd.
She had no idea what the number was. She only knew that it’d be near the front, like it always was when she sat with Dani, who’d purchased the entire table. Kennedy supported the benefit through a donation and auction bidding.
She scanned the tables as they closed in on the front. Dani stood next to Trevor, looking poised and stunning despite the concern on her face. He ran a hand down her bare arm. Her eyes closed briefly, lips parting in a way that had Kennedy increasing her pace.
Whatever was between them never leaked into public even though their connection was common knowledge. No one messed with Dani unless they wanted to incur Trevor’s wrath. In many ways, Kennedy fell within that same circle, as did every female in the Boardroom, but Dani was in her own protected class.
“Hey,” Kennedy said, blatantly barging into their conversation, taking a lesson from her father. “I’ve been looking for you.” She flashed a smile at Trevor before eyeing Dani. “Have you looked through the silent auction offerings? You’ve done an amazing job, like always, Trevor.”
His lips compressed before he nodded, stepping back. “I need to check on a few things. If you’ll excuse me.”
Dani tracked him as he left, her gaze slowly shifting to Kennedy’s. Sadness coated her eyes in a brief hit of honesty before she inhaled. Whatever she’d been feeling was gone when she turned to Matt.
“Hello. I don’t believe we’ve met,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Danielle Stables.”
“Matt Hamilton,” he said, pure grace and formal honor once again. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Her smile took on true warmth. “You’re my mystery guest. Well, welcome. I hope you’re enjoying the evening.”
His gaze landed on Kennedy. “I am. Very much so.”
Heat swept from Kennedy’s cheeks clear to her toes. Matt was sitting at their table. How? Why? Had her friend known who he was?
Dani glanced at her, curiosity clear. “We have time to check the auction items,” she said, grabbing Kennedy’s hand. “If you’ll excuse us a moment, Matt.” She didn’t wait for a response before she stepped away, Kennedy at her side. “Matt?” she inquired when they were two tables away.
“You didn’t know?” The tension that’d locked down her airway eased.
“Know what?” Dani stepped around a group of people and started perusing the auction items.
Kennedy maintained the same distant air, barely seeing the items before her. “About Matt. Who he was—is.”
Her lips quirked. “I’m going to assume that’s your Matt, then.”
“He’s not my Matt.” Yet a soft glow bloomed at being linked to him.
“But he is the Matt, right?”
She didn’t need to say yes when Dani already knew the answer. She tried to scowl, but there was no heat behind it. “Why is he seated at your table?”
“Trevor asked me to add him.”
That was it. No further explanation was given or needed, really. Trevor had orchestrated their meeting here, but he hadn’t forced them together.
She’d stayed near him by choice. She couldn’t ignore that fact any longer.
Matt had her rethinking her entire life after two encounters. What would happen if she continued to see him? If she let herself try?
There was only one way she’d find out—if she dared.
And when had she ever backed away from a dare?
Chapter Fifteen
The evening was winding down. Dinner had been cleared a while ago and the stage productions, which had consisted of various scenes performed from the upcoming season, were finished. The entire evening had been a demonstration of opulence that reminded Matt of the military balls, only more extravagant and less formal.
Kennedy laughed at his side, holding his attention like she had all night. The throaty tone had deepened through dinner until every rumble sounded like sex. Want buzzed its demand through every cell, but he curbed it. This was Kennedy’s domain, and he had no desire to undermine the image she presented.
He ran his hand along the back of her chair. She smiled at him, that coy play leaping out to grab him by the nuts. He wrapped one of her curls around his finger, not saying a word. The upswept hairstyle gave him all kinds of ideas about running his teeth over her nape until her eyes rolled back and she softened beneath him.
“I’ll drive you home,” he said after a moment.
The dark navy color of her dress drew out the blue in her eyes, which widened slightly. Her lips twisted in a resistant smile. “I don’t need a ride.”
He leaned in, and she shifted to meet him. “I didn’t ask if you needed one,” he said by her ear.
Her side-eye held amusement along with challenge. There was the fire he loved too damn much. “Assumptions will get you nowhere.”
He chuckled, sitting back. “I can say the same to you.”
The slow scan she gave him contained the familiar taunting intent she’d used at the bar. She was drawing out a game they both knew the ending to. And he couldn’t get mad, not when he was enjoying it.
“What am I assuming?” she asked.
He shifted closer once again, savoring her quick inhalation along with the tempting draw of her perfume. “That I’m going to fuck you any way I want.” Her shiver was slight but it shot down every pretense she was playing at. “I’ll be in the lobby.”
She tracked him as he stood. Her expression remained studiously blank despite the spark that lit her eyes. He said goodbye to Danielle, thanked her for hosting him and made his departure. He’d quickly picked up that his seat at that coveted front table had been Trevor’s doing. But why?
The heat level dropped a good ten degrees when he entered the lobby. Smaller groups mingled in clusters, some in wraps and coats preparing to leave.
Trevor caught him as he was exiting the building to give his ticket to the valet. “I’m surprised you’re going home alone.”
Matt studied him, taking his clouded challenge and leveling his own. “I’m surprised you’re so interested in my life.”
“It’s not yours I care about.”
His eyes narrowed, his protective instincts kicking into high gear. “Why do you care so much?”
Trevor looked away, lips compressing. “She’s like a sister to me.” The truth of that showed in his eyes when he turned back. “And I think you’d be good for her. Don’t prove me wrong.” He strode away before Matt could respond, executing another irritating move in his arsenal. Matt was familiar with the tactic and unimpressed.
Again, he wasn’t a subordinate or someone currying favor. But alienating the man would hurt him—along with everyone who was counting on him to keep the company going.
He shoved his annoyance aside when he caught sight of Kennedy leaving the theater. Her quick scan of the lobby held on him when she found him. Her focus drifted outside before she turned away to engage with the woman at her side.
He was struck again by the simple elegance she presented. Her gown glittered in understated glam when the light hit it just right. It hugged her curves from the lace bodice down to her heels, leaving her arms bare. His fingers itched to run them over her skin until she shivered with want.
The night air cooled his lust a notch. The slow burn of control clipped up his spine with its own powerful allure. The entire evening had been an act of foreplay he relished. She could’ve walked away from him at any time, but she’d stayed by his side, introducing him to influential contacts, leaning into his touch.
She still wanted him, and she knew exactly what he wanted.
He was waiting by his car when she swept from the building. She executed her stride down the red carpet with a confident assurance that only came from someone certain of their place.
Longing spread through his chest before it sunk into his groin. She headed straight to him, nodding when he opened the door for her. She slipped into his car without a word, tucking her skirt in before he closed the door. Relief faded into anticipation with each step he took around the car. His economical sedan didn’t compete with the line of limos, town cars and luxury vehicles lining the street. He didn’t care.
She watched him as he settled into the driver seat, her expression wiped clean. Goose bumps dotted her arm, and he turned the heat up before he pulled into traffic.
“Where am I heading?” he asked.
She didn’t respond right way. He glanced over, caught the mischief in the tiny curl of her lips. “No breakfast with the kids for me?”
His laugh choked out, strained. “Are you saying that’s what you’d like?” Her snort caught him by surprise, but the honesty in her response had him grinning. “I thought so.” They were a long way from that, yet the idea didn’t spark an instant rejection.
“The two-eighty to Menlo Park is the quickest.”
Her clutch rested on her lap, her legs tucked back in the perfect display of propriety. The dichotomy of that, of the image she’d presented all night, against the hungry seductress he also knew her to be, only increased his desire. He didn’t want to think of her opening up to another man. Not in the Boardroom or elsewhere.
He recognized the dominant possessiveness for what it was, yet he couldn’t shake it. He found her hand and brought it to his lap, threading his fingers with hers. He felt her stare, but kept his eyes forward as he stroked his thumb over her palm.
They didn’t speak on the drive down the peninsula, and the silence drew out the anticipation with each mile that clipped by.
He passed his exit with only a glance and a thought given. Dawn had arrived home that afternoon for Thanksgiving break. His kids would be fine. He’d be home before they realized he wasn’t there. A small dose of guilt wormed into his thoughts, but it didn’t override his growing need for Kennedy and all that she offered.