“Can you get the back zipper for me?” I asked Brutus as I spun my back to face him. It was the evening of the fundraiser gala hosted by Townsend Industries. I’d chosen a burgundy, A-line gown for the event. The chiffon material of the dress made it billow out at the bottom when I walked, while the sequined corset top showed off my lush figure.
My favorite part of the dress, however, was the sheer lace cape that draped over my arms.
I glanced over my shoulder as Brutus approached, hovering over me. He looked good as hell in his tuxedo. He had it tailored to his exact dimensions. He’d added a burgundy bow tie and handkerchief to match my dress.
I gasped as I stared at his reflection in the mirror before me. Instead of zipping the dress up, he’d lowered the damn thing.
“Why don’t we stay in tonight?” His hand flared out over my back, easing its way down. Right before he made it to my ass, his phone rang.
I laughed as he cursed. “That’s why we can’t stay in tonight,” I reminded him. “You have a job to do.”
A muscle in his jaw ticked as he answered the phone. “What?” he answered tersely. “I’m on the way.”
“Something happen?”
“Joseph was just calling with an update.” He ran his hand over his shortly cropped hair. “Everyone’s in position, and the family should start arriving shortly after we do.” He looked down at his watch.
“You never mentioned what this gala was for,” I reminded him.
With a nod, Brutus answered, “It’s to raise money for the community center the women started a few years back. All of the money raised tonight will pay for things like community college classes, to subsidize childcare for mothers at the community center, and to help with first and last months’ deposits on apartments for women who’re getting back on their feet.”
“That’s amazing,” I told him. “Next year, I’ll have to donate in the name of my coffee shop. Tonight, I’ll write a check in my name,” I thought out loud. “We should get going.”
He bent down and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “Keep those ready for me at the end of the night.”
“I will.” I grinned.
Twenty minutes after leaving my house, Brutus and I strolled, arm in arm, into the fundraiser held at a historic building in downtown Williamsport. The inside of the colonial-style building was transformed into a whimsical wonderland. Overhead hung wisteria flower vines with candlelight intertwined around the vines.
The candlelight and low overhead lighting created a peaceful and somewhat otherworldly ambiance. It was inviting and very beautifully done without being pretentious.
“Excellent, you’re here,” a man said, approaching us. He was older, with a gray streak running through his dark hair. He turned blue eyes on me and smiled. “You must be Mia.”
I stuck out my hand. “And you must be Joseph,” I greeted.
When he took my hand and pressed a kiss to it, a rumbling sound next to me caught my attention. Brutus glared at his second in command.
“The family will be arriving in five minutes,” Brutus said. “You should go check to make sure everything is in order.” There was an edge in his tone that hadn’t been there a moment ago.
Joseph’s grin widened. “Why don’t I go do that?” He nodded at me before looking over at Brutus again. “Just remember, you’re off tonight.”
Brutus grunted, and I chuckled. Tugging his tuxedo jacket a little, I said, “He’s right. You’re off tonight. Enjoy yourself.”
His lips tightened as he bent lower, bringing his lips only a few inches from mine. “You enjoy yourself. Myjobis to make sure you and the people around me are safe while you do so.” His voice held that sexy edge to it.
My gaze fell to his mouth, and unconsciously, I ran my tongue across my bottom lip. I’d completely forgotten about the fact that we were in public. For a moment, I suspected Brutus did as well. He drew his arm around my waist and pulled me to him. The warmth from his body filled my chest and spread throughout the rest of my body.
“You might’ve been right,” I purred, my eyes still on his mouth.
“About what?”
I grinned, finally meeting his hazel eyes. “Maybe it was a better idea to stay in tonight.”
A low rumble emerged from his throat. It would’ve almost frightened me if it didn’t turn me on.
“But then we wouldn’t have had the chance to meet you finally.”
I jumped, startled by the new intrusion. Behind us stood Tyler Townsend, who was practically NFL royalty at this point. Tyler’s hazel-green eyes sparkled in interest as he tossed me a half smile.
