“Exactly,” Amber nodded, wilting a little in relief. “A gala like this would make it accessible to everyone.”
“It’s brilliant, Amber,” Cade said, shooting her a warm smile. “Fresh and innovative.”
Amber turned to Theo, already planning her next line of reasoning, only to find him grinning at her.
“That’s quite a leap from tradition,” Neal said sharply. “It sounds like a festival rather than a gala. Our core donors might not appreciate such radical changes.”
“Our core donors are important, but so is broadening our appeal. Amber’s ideas are exactly the kind of innovation that shows we’re forward thinking, and that starts with how we engage our community,” Theo said firmly. “Amber, will you take the lead on planning this?”
She nodded confidently.Say yes first, panic later.
“We’ll get started with the planning on our end,” Edward said. He stood up and pushed in his chair. “The Grand River Hotel has hosted countless galas, but nothing quite like this. This is going to be a truly special night. I’ll put you in touch with our event coordinator, Cheryl. Just tell her what your vision is, and she’ll work with you to make it happen.”
Amber shot a glance at Neal, who was packing up his folder. His face was set in stone. She had made an enemy out of him, but she was smart enough to know he would never have approved of her even if she had stayed silent.
Excitement coursed through her because, enemy or not, she’d just had a taste of victory, and like that first taste of anything sweet, she craved more.
As the room began to empty, Amber stood up with her notebook and pen.
“That was a brilliant idea,” Cade said at her elbow.
“Thanks,” she said, a little breathless at the admiration on his handsome face.
“Would you like to get dinner?” he asked. “I’m in town for one more night, and I’d love to eat somewhere other than the Grand.”
Amber recognized the look on his face. Interest. Admiration. Attraction. She had dealt in those feelings like currency all her life. It was familiar and comforting even, and she felt a little flutter of excitement.
But she wanted to savor her victory. Alone.
“No, thank you. I can’t,” she said.
Her gaze sought Theo’s across the room, holding it for a second that seemed to stretch out before he finally turned and left the room.
She had the distinct, unsettling realization that there was one person she wouldn’t mind sharing her victory with after all.
Chapter Seventeen
“Touch me,Theo. I’ve been waiting to feel you all over me.”
His sexy assistant wound her arms around his neck and lifted on her tiptoes, offering her full, pouty mouth for his kiss. He captured her lips and licked into her hot, sweet mouth. She tasted like cinnamon candy and sex, and he wanted to devour her whole.
Her fingers weaved through his hair, stroking lightly and making him shudder. Theo kissed the side of her neck, nipping the cord there until he felt her knees go weak, then licked and sucked lightly as her throat tipped back and she cried out, long and low.
“I want to feel you, Theo. Make me feel you so deep,” she whispered. Theo’s hand cupped the back of her neck and tilted her head back to see her eyes. They were half closed with lust. Theo shuddered. She was his greatest fantasy come to life, and he couldn’t get enough, fast enough, deep enough to satisfy him.
He lifted her off her feet and pressed her into the wall. Her legs in those fucking pink high heels spread wide, notching her heat perfectly into his erection before settling tightly around hiswaist. Her fingers trailed down to his chest and teased him there.
“Need you,” she whispered in his ear. “Need to feel you inside me.” Her hands were driving him crazy, leaving little trails of fire on his chest and stomach. Her mouth was open and so sweet, teasing him with her little gasps and moans. She was hot and hungry, exactly how he fantasized about her.
She lifted her breasts and offered their heavy weight to him. Her sundress slipped to reveal the hint of her pink nipple over the top and he went feral. He lowered his head and licked a hot line down the curve to her nipple, standing up so prettily for him to suck and play with.
Theo shifted her against the wall and thrust against her, while she arched greedily, her damp panties the only flimsy barrier between them.
“Yes, take it, Theo. Take what you need,” she breathed and sucked his lower lip into her mouth.
Rooooroooooo
Theo’s eyes opened and instead of Amber's hot, wet, sucking tongue, Theo felt a swipe across his cheek. His hand came up. "What the..." he cracked one eye open and looked into the soulful eyes of his dog.
