“That’s okay, Mom doesn’t have a curfew like I do.”
Reese managed to hold back a smile and just nodded.
They left the town house, Kenzie walking beside him. She missed a step in her sky-high heels but quickly righted herself without his help. Reese felt a trickle of irritation at the forced propriety. It felt strange to be escorting a woman he wasn’t allowed to touch.
Kenzie flicked him a sideways glance. “Maybe we could set aside some of the politically correct protocol, just for tonight.”
Reese smiled broadly, relieved she felt the same. “That sounds great. Just remember it was your idea.”
Kenzie smiled back. He felt the kick but managed to ignore it. As he guided her down the slightly uneven path to the long white stretch limo, the warmth of her body beneath his hand, seeping through her gown, sent his mind once more where it didn’t belong.
He focused on the limo driver, who opened the rear passenger door. A big, beefy African American, Reggie Porter owned the limo company. He was former military, tough as nails, and a longtime, trusted friend of the Garrett family.
Reese helped Kenzie settle inside then slid onto the deep red leather seat beside her. He couldn’t help thinking how good she felt next to him, which made him wonder if setting aside the rules for the evening had been the best plan.
One thing he knew, dating his executive assistant was completely out of the question. If he wanted to see her, he’d either have to fire her or find her another, less desirable position in the company, which, for both their sakes and especially his, Reese refused to do.
With the investigation he was beginning, he needed Kenzie now more than ever.
The benefit for the Dallas Youth Homes charity was being held at The Adolphus, an elegant older hotel on Commerce Street in the financial district.
The hotel, built in 1912, had once played host to presidents and even the Queen of England. The ballroom, with its elegant molded ceilings and parquet floors, held a sea of linen-draped tables, each with a blue-and-silver floral arrangement.
Most of the guests were seated by the time Kenzie and Reese walked to their table near the stage at the front of the room where his brothers were waiting, along with a friend from Colorado and his date.
Her nerves were on edge. Being with Reese tonight felt different than previous business events. Part of her loved being with him this way. Another part worried it might intensify the forbidden feelings she carried for him.
To protect herself, Kenzie concentrated on the evening ahead. She knew from Reese’s schedule who would be sitting at the table. She had met Chase and Brandon during Reese’s hospital stay, but none of the others.
“Sorry I missed the cocktail hour,” Reese said. “My date had a family emergency. This is my assistant, Kenzie Haines. She was kind enough to fill in for her.”
He turned to Kenzie. “You’ve met my brother Chase.”
She nodded. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“You, too, Kenzie,” Chase said. “And under far more pleasant circumstances. I appreciate the way you helped us take care of my brother after the accident.”
She felt the heat creeping into her face. After the crash, she had gone to see Reese at the hospital every day, explaining her presence as necessary to keep the office running smoothly. Reese never knew how worried she had been and she wanted to keep it that way.
“Looking out for Reese is my job,” she said mildly.
Chase’s smile widened. “Yes, I suppose it is.” He was maybe an inch shorter than Reese, the edge of his jaw defined by a short-cropped dark blond beard.
“The lady next to him is his wife, Harper,” Reese continued.
“Nice to meet you, Kenzie.” Harper Garrett was a tall, willowy young woman with gorgeous silver-blond hair.
“You, too.”
“You know my younger brother, Brandon.”
Brandon touched his forehead in a faint salute. “Nice seeing you.” He grinned. “Anyone who can put up with my prickly brother all day is okay by me.” He had dark brown hair and the lean, hard-muscled build that ran in the Garrett family.
He was also gorgeous, with a movie-star face and beautiful blue eyes a less intense shade than Reese’s. She couldn’t help noticing the affection in Brandon’s eyes whenever he looked at his wife.
Jessie Garrett smiled and greeted Kenzie warmly, and Reese moved on to Kade Logan, a rancher from Colorado, a handsome, well-built man with dark hair and golden brown eyes. His companion, talk-show personality Marla Steiner, was a date Chase had arranged for his friend.
Once Kenzie and Reese were seated, there was a brief welcome from the president of the charity, then the dinner service began—chicken swimming in lemon cream sauce and green beans with slivered almonds. She’d eaten similar meals with Lee on dozens of different occasions.
