She rose slowly, sweeping her long wave of hair over her shoulder. Her eyes were glued to him, probably in much the same way that he focused only on her. The dress was a jewel-toned, sedate amber that matched her eyes. The dress’s neckline was low, and as she stood, the brief glimpse of her breast was hidden, only providing an ample amount of cleavage as the satin crisscrossed back together. His dick went from plump to rigid, knowing she hadn’t enhanced those perfectly shaped breasts.
“You’re dashing,” she exclaimed, a little breathy. Her smile grew, curling her full lips. She stood there in the front door, not inviting him in or moving herself out. She just stared.
“You’re exquisite, like I knew you would be,” he said, tucking his hands inside his slacks pocket.
“I don’t know. I tried to follow all the directions sent with the gifts.” Her hand went to her waist as she looked down, then adjusted the front of her dress to hide the cleavage.
“You did a remarkable job. You may be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” It sounded like a line, but the longer he stared, the more he felt those words deep inside his heart.
“Well, you are the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. Let me get my purse.” She opened the door farther as she turned away. He took that as an invitation and stepped inside to see a very small living room, kitchen combination. From his position at the front door, he could see a small hall with three doors. The whole space couldn’t have been more than seven hundred square feet.
“I’m nervous about tonight,” she said, coming out of one of the doors. She held her purse in one hand and a jewelry box in the other. “I can’t accept this. It’s too much money as a birthday present.”
He automatically reached to take the box and opened the lid. The jewels were the ones he’d chosen. They were simple, elegant, and fit her perfectly. He lifted the necklace, letting it dangle from his fingers.
“Turn around,” he instructed as he worked the clasp open.
“Reed, really, I can’t accept that.”
“The pieces match the dress. Turn around.” He lifted a brow. When she went to bite her lip, he lifted a finger to tap underneath her chin. “Don’t mess up your lipstick. Now turn around.”
She did finally turn, and he gave an inward groan as he rolled his eyes at the view. If possible, the back of the dress was sexier than the front. The panels at her shoulders left her back bare, sweeping down to only gather right above the flawless shape of her ass. The dress seemed to be a wardrobe malfunction waiting to happen.
He resisted the urge to touch her. Actually it was more an impulse to run a fingertip down her straight spine. It would be too easy to slide his palm around and cup the mound of her breast. His dick punched against his slacks, and he looked down to make sure he wasn’t tenting—he’d prepared for the hard-on tonight, but hadn’t anticipated those effects happening the first second he saw her.
“Do you need help?” She brought her arms back, sweeping her hair up, exposing the long line of her neck. He managed to drape the necklace around her, but it took a couple of times to get the clasp right because her scent seemed to destroy his brain cells.
“Okay, turn around,” he said. He lifted the bracelet and took her hand in his, clasping the matching piece to her wrist. “Will you add the earrings or do I need to?”
Indecision still lingered in her eyes. Man, she was bad at accepting gifts. He lifted the earring to place in her earlobe and she stopped him. “I can do it. Can we still take these back if I wear them?”
“I’m sure, but we’re not going to. They’re a birthday gift.” He watched her turn to a small mirror on the wall close to the front door.
“Reed, you’re a frustrating man,” she said, taking the next earring from his hand and turning back to the mirror.
“I’ve heard that a time or two,” he said drily, never taking his eyes off her frame as she worked.
“Okay, how do I look? Did I do it right? Am I going to embarrass you?” she asked, coming to stand in front of him.
“You’re beautiful like I knew you would be.” He smiled at her serious tone.
“Would you tell me the truth if something wasn’t right?” she asked, eyeing him closely.
“Absolutely.” He raised his three fingers in a scout’s honor gesture.
“I don’t believe you.” Her brow furrowed and that caused him to laugh out loud.
“Well, you should. Are you ready? We’ll be late if we don’t get going.”
“Yes, of course. I’m nervous though. I don’t want to embarrass you, and I’m worried about this dress. I have to stand perfectly straight or the sides want to slip,” she added as she walked out first, but stayed back to lock the front door behind them.
“Noted. Straight or slippage. We can’t have that.”
They weren’t more than ten minutes from the hall, but he’d chosen the limousine for tonight’s dinner, meaning they’d be dropped at the front of the building and those lines were usually a longer wait. Lara watched everything going on around them. The night was a star-studded Dallas event. Local celebrities, professional sports players, and all of the area’s top business executives were in attendance.
“You ready?” he asked.
“I think so. The dress keeps slipping,” she said, making sure the straps were in place.
“You look gorgeous. Stop fidgeting,” he said, opening the door and stepping out. He placed a hand down that she easily took. Her grip was firm, more of a lifeline than an aid to help her out. From the angle he stood, he was able to keep a hand on the small of her back as he escorted her inside.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, walking up the front steps to the building, looking up at the large ornate crystal chandeliers out front.
“Your first time here?” He bent his head toward her to ask. There was a small line waiting at the front doors. Under normal circumstances, he would have bypassed the wait line. It was his foundation they were celebrating. Everyone there knew who he was, but like everything else with this woman, he wanted her to have the full experience.
“It is,” she replied quietly. She’d been animated and fun on the ride over, exploring the limo and watching the people on the sidewalk as they watched them drive by. Now as they stood out front, she’d become demure. She stood straighter than normal, her hands were clasping her clutch and her expressive face turned passive.
“Is this your work mode?” he asked. Her eyes shot up to his, and he tried for an indulgent smile. Even though he’d told himself this night was for her, he wanted those who were watching to know they were a couple. She was there with him. On that possessive note, he then took his hand from the small of her back and slid it inside the dress, cupping the bare skin of her side. “Smile. You’re beautiful when you smile.”
Eyes on him, she did just that. Her face lit up and his heart tripped as the cameras flashed in that next second. Reed took his fill of her brilliant smile. What he wouldn’t give to be at the point where he could bend forward and kiss those smiling lips. A throat clearing penetrated his daze. He looked up to see they were next in line to greet one of the honorary hosts of the party. A small burst of excitement came as Lara placed a hand over her heart and stood right in front of Renee Bartoli, a local favorite opera singer. Reed dutifully walked inside, surprised Lara knew who they were meeting.
“Reed, darling, it’s such a pleasure to see you,” Renee said in a strong Italian accent. She leaned forward, genuinely hugging him. Her husband, Kenneth, stood right beside her, waiting to shake his hand.
“Renee, Ken, I’d like you to meet my date for the evening, Lara Hunter.” Reed made quick introductions as she shook Ken’s hand.
“Oh my, you’re a beautiful thing,” Renee said and she reached out and took Lara’s hand in hers.
“I’m a true fan of your work, Mrs. Bartoli. Sacrificium is one of my all-time favorites,” she said, and Reed raised his eyebrows at her knowledge base. Either she did her research on tonight’s event or that was a gen
uine statement, making her the perfect date for the evening.
“Oh thank you, dear. I’m delighted you’re familiar with my work. We must talk later.”
“It would be our pleasure,” Reed said. They had inadvertently held up the line again. He moved them forward into the large spacious room that was decorated like the billions of dollars in attendance.
“You didn’t tell me I’d be meeting her tonight. Reed, I’m such a fan,” she said, not paying any attention to the décor of the room. She was different than any other female he’d ever known. Instead of letting those words tumble from his lips, he pointed to the room.
“More to come—it’s show time. Game face on.”
~~~
The smile plastered across Lara’s face stayed in place for the next two hours. Reed was an excellent date. He remained by her side, drawing her along beside him as he worked his way through most of the room, and boy, could he work a room. He was exactly the man she’d gotten to know so well over the last few days. He was charming and charismatic, going from one small cluster of people to another, never lingering too long with anyone and never allowing business to be discussed on any level.
He introduced her to everyone. She shook more hands than she ever had before in her life. One thing for certain, Lara was thankful she’d taken Reed’s generosity and dressed as he’d suggested. As far as she could tell, every woman in the place was inherently beautiful and dressed as if they had just walked off a fashion runway. The law firm she’d worked for was packed full of that type of women. They were sophisticated, beautiful, bored, non-engaging, and judgmental. At least that was the way she generally described the looks they cast her way over and over again.
In mid-conversation, Reed stopped a circulating waiter. He took her half empty champagne glass and handed her a fresh one without removing his hand from her back. His touch soothed her. Over the last hour, the gentle sweeping motion of his palm and fingertips had expanded to cover the distance of her lower back all the way to either side, depending on where he stood. She was forever adjusting the dress, trying to keep the pieces together.
“You’re particularly pleasant this evening.” The comment from the woman standing beside Reed took Lara from her musings. She looked up at Reed who was staring down at her.
“It seems to be my date’s effect on me, Mrs. West.” They had slowly gravitated to the rows and rows of tables as Reed kept an eye on the table markers, looking for their assigned seating.
“Reed, why don’t you two sit here with us?” Mrs. West was older, maybe in her late sixties or early seventies, and for the first time tonight, Lara didn’t see judgment reflected back at her.
“Mrs. West, meet my date, Lara Hunter.”
“Honey, call me Evelyn.” She took Lara’s outstretched hand warmly into hers. “They have you sitting at this table, but I’ll take care of that.” Evelyn moved two place settings to the table in front of her and picked up theirs, moving them next to her. She sat Lara right next to her. “You’ll like this better, I think.”
Reed chuckled at her bold move. She suspected those were also moves that Reed did regularly. He pulled out Lara’s chair and then Evelyn’s. “I think we found our table.”
“Darling, meet my husband. Darwin, come over here,” she said before she sat. A man a few steps in front of her turned around. He had to be in his eighties, maybe even older. “Come meet the lovely young woman who has this place abuzz.”
Lara was in the process of sitting down, but bounced back up. She knocked into Reed who had his hand now at the base of her neck. In her quick movement, he effectively knocked the strap of the dress off her shoulder. They became comical as they both went for the material. Reed was faster, turning her into his chest.
“Oh no!” she exclaimed and pressed against him. She looked down at her dress, quickly adjusting herself back in place.
“Did you fix it?” he asked, his arms wrapping around her.
“I think so. Can you see?” He had to cock his head to the right to see because of the tight hold she had on his body.
“You look covered,” he whispered.
“I should have worn something under this. They told me not too, but I knew better.” Worry and embarrassment had her finally looking up to judge Reed’s reaction.
“Absolutely not!” He didn’t look angry at all. He teased her and she took a deep breath.
“I’m sorry. I’ve struggled with this thing all night.” She took a small step backward. Her eyes were down, but Reed beat her in adjusting the front, covering her more completely.
“I know. I haven’t made it easy for you.” Humor was in his tone. He’d been giving her little mini heart attacks through the course of the evening! She gave him an outraged small slap on his chest.
“I’ve been pulling at these straps all night and you were doing it on purpose.” She should have known! That was such a Kade thing to do.
“You’re beautiful. So sue me.” He gave a shrug and dropped his hands in his slacks pockets.
“I thought the whole point of this was for me not to sue you,” she tossed back cheekily, and Reed barked out a laugh.
“Reed, let the girl go so she can meet Darwin,” Evelyn said behind her. She took a solid step back and couldn’t help but look down, pleased everything lay just right.
“Dammit. Not even a nipple slip,” he muttered, and she laughed that time.
“You’re terrible,” she teased, turning to Darwin. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“Well, she is lovely Evelyn. Good job, Prescott,” Darwin said, taking her hand as kindly as his wife had.
“I’ve moved them closer to us. Get her away from the vultures,” Evelyn said to Darwin, loud enough for anyone to hear.
“Lara, Darwin and I have done some business together over the years. He’s also my banker,” Reed said from right beside her.
“It’s my pleasure to meet you,” she said, keeping her smile.
“If we can take our seats. Please take your seat,” an overhead announcement blared. The lights blinked a couple of times, gathering everyone’s attention.
“Reed, you aren’t sitting at our table?” A beautiful busty woman came up to Reed, taking his arm and laying the side of her body against his. “I’m disappointed.”
Lara heard a disgruntled grunt from Evelyn and turned in the direction of the purr. Reed’s whole demeanor changed as he worked at untangling himself from the woman’s hold, which wasn’t proving easy.
“Evelyn,” the busty woman nodded, her tone turning cool. Evelyn didn’t even respond before taking her seat. Lara stuck her hand out.
“I’m Lara Hunter.”
“It doesn’t really matter,” she said sweetly. Apparently she’d been waiting to make that remark. As Lara lifted her brow, Evelyn huffed a disgusted sigh.
“Blakely,” Reed started, but she reached up and kissed him on his cheek.
“I’ll call you soon,” she said and patted his chest. She was gone as quickly as she came. Reed’s frustrated gaze followed her until that angry look was turned toward her.
Lara burst out laughing.
“I’m sorry,” Reed started, and she tried to make her laugh something small, but just couldn’t. She turned to watch Blakely leave and was blessed with a look of frustration being shot back over her shoulder as Lara continued to laugh and took her seat. She felt Reed behind her, pushing her chair forward. The next second, Reed’s breath ran across her face as he leaned forward, moving her hair off her shoulder to whisper in her ear.
“They can be catty. I’m truly sorry.”
She angled her face to where she was only inches away from his.
“I know. It’s fine. It’s not my first time with women like her.” He looked truly concerned, and she lifted a hand, patting his cheek. She started to turn away, but his forefinger lifting her chin stopped her. Their gazes met. Something foreign crossed his eyes, and she had no idea what he tried to communicate with her.
~~~
&nb
sp; It would be so easy to lean in and kiss her lips. He wanted to do that as much as he wanted to take his next breath. She’d been his perfect date tonight. He’d watched her genuinely charm her way through every introduction he’d made and she had absolutely no idea how captivated she held her audience. Having someone of Evelyn West’s caliber taking Lara under her wing said something to this community, and he didn’t want those jealous bitches giving her a hard time.
The longer he stared, those amber eyes lost some of the sparkle and her smile faltered. They were having a moment in this small exchange. A connection like he’d never experienced before. He felt his heart give as walls he’d held so tightly in place broke down. It was all too much, especially for this moment. Regretfully, he let his finger drop, and he moved, taking a deep breath as he settled in the seat beside her.
He hadn’t grabbed a cocktail before dinner, so he drank from the ice water in front of him, giving himself a minute. A waiter placed dinner in front of him. He dropped his napkin in his lap and looked over at Evelyn. She had thankfully gathered Lara into conversation, but her eyes were on Reed. What Lara hadn’t been able to see, Evelyn picked up on with no problem. He wanted to reach over and hug her for giving him the few minutes he needed.
Lines he never crossed became blurred where Lara Hunter was concerned. He just needed to decide how this was truly going to play out between them before she firmly planted herself under his skin, taking the decision away from him.
Chapter 10
Reed finally coerced Lara out on the dance floor. Amidst her refusals, he promised to take things slow, keep them to the side and out of the way of the others. Lara clearly didn’t see herself as a dancer. She claimed she had two left feet. Reed’s only argument had been an insistence that she’d never had him for a partner. Even then, it took him about an hour to get her to agree. When she finally relented, he pulled her to the back of the dance floor, a move designed to keep her from prying eyes more than her fear of embarrassing him. He wrapped a tight arm around her waist as he took her palm in his, holding her hand close to his chest. After the last six hours together, the fate of their relationship was sealed. Reed Prescott was spellbound.
Chasing Happy (Texas Desires #1) Page 12