“You look beautiful,” he finally said, looking down at her. “That dress makes your eyes look even bluer.”
“Thank you, I don’t usually…that is, this is a little different for me,” Paula said, her cheeks turning pink. “You look pretty good yourself.”
“I guess we should get going,” he said, tucking her arm into his. “I hope you’re not going to freeze on the way to the car.”
“It’s the price we have to pay for looking like this, or at least that’s what Abby told me,” she said, grinning at him. “If I get too cold, I’ll steal your jacket. A big, strong guy like you won’t mind.”
He helped her into the car, waited while Cooper and Stephanie got in, and then they all headed for the ballroom in the student center. “I hope parking isn’t a nightmare,” he said,trying to distract himself from the way Paula smelled, something sweet but slightly spicy. “I wonder how many people will be there? Maybe I should drop you all off at the doors.”
When he pulled into the parking lot a few minutes later, there weren’t that many cars. “I think we’ll be fine if you park,” Cooper said from the backseat. “I think we beat the worst of the crowd.”
He managed to get the car safely into a parking spot despite his shaking hands and knew that he had to pull it together or it was going to be a long night. “Here we are,” he said, turning off the car. “Stay right there, I’ll come around and help you out.”
It only took him a few seconds to walk around the car, but it was enough time to calm the dragon inside him, and he was back in control when he opened the door. “Watch your step, it might be icy out here,” he said, offering Paula his hand again. “I wouldn’t want you to slip.”
This time, he felt that same tingle of electricity, but he was prepared. “Thank you, I don’t wear heels very often,” Paula said, smiling up at him. “I’d hate to embarrass us both.”
He pretended not to notice the looks they got when they walked into the banquet, although he knew that they made a striking couple, but told himself it didn’t matter. “Let’s find our table and then we’ll check out the food,” he said, guiding her through the crowd. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Abby promised the food would be good.”
“I missed lunch, I was too nervous to eat,” she said, then let out a long sigh. “I met with Alex about that job with paper today.”
“I guess it didn’t go well,” he said, trying to keep his voice neutral.
“It went great until he came onto me,” she said, scrunching up her face. “Now it’s ruined, I won’t work for him even if he offers me a job.”
“I’m sorry, that sucks,” he said, secretly relieved that she wasn’t going to get tangled up with Alex. “I’m sure there will be other jobs.”
Paula stopped and studied him for a second. “You’re not going to say, I told you so?” she asked. “Most men, including my dad, would have reminded me that they were right.”
They’d reached their table and he helped her sit down, then took the chair next to her before answering her question. “It was just a warning. I get that you needed to find out for yourself, I’m not going to rub it in that I was right when you made the right decision anyway,” he said. “Alex can be really smooth when he wants to; he’s charming and good-looking, but underneath all that, he’s really cold and selfish.”
“Well, I’m done with him,” Paula said. “He blew it with me. Now let’s talk about something else.”
“Fine with me,” he said, happy to put Alex out of his mind. “Let’s go find something to eat, I’m starving.”
***Paula***
“Abby didn’t lie, the food is amazing,” Paula said, pushing her plate away. “I’m going to stop eating now so I have some room for dessert.”
“Chocolate fondue,” Cooper said, setting his knife and fork down on his plate. “I heard they bring a little pot for every table.”
“I’ve never gotten the whole melted chocolate thing,” she said, shrugging her shoulders. “I mean, what’s the big deal? I can do that at home.”
“Have you ever had a real chocolate fondue?” Stephanie asked. “It’s not like one of those fountain things at the buffet restaurants. You’ll love it, you’ll see.”
Just then the band started to play. Cooper immediately asked Stephanie to dance, and then the other couples at the table soon followed. Left sitting by themselves, silence fell between them. She became very aware of the heat coming from Ryan’s body, the smell of his cologne, and worst of all, the fact that his arm was draped casually over the back of her chair.
Feeling like she was in middle school again, she leaned back against his arm until they were touching, making her insides flutter. When he didn’t pull away, she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye to find him watching her, and she turned to look at him, a blush spreading across her cheeks. He studied her for a long time, then with a deep sigh, pulled her closer and lowered his mouth to hers in a kiss that was both tender and inquisitive.
She wasn’t sure what he was searching for, but her entire body filled with warmth as he kissed her, and it was easy to let herself go, to sink into the sensations as they flooded her system. When he finally pulled away from her, his eyes found hers and she saw not just desire but a look of resignation, confusing her for a second, but then Ryan gathered her into his arms and held her close. A feeling of contentment settled over her; it was unlike anything she’d ever felt before, and she didn’t fight it. For one night, she was going to just let life happen.
“I just had to check one more time,” Ryan said, his voice making his chest rumble under her ear. “I guess it’s you. I just wasn’t expecting it and it does complicate things quite a bit.”
She pulled away from him. “Ryan, what are you talking about?” she asked. “You aren’t making any sense.”
“No, probably not, but give me a little time and I’ll explain everything,” he said. “I have a few details I have to work out before we can…well…”
“I’m not sleeping with you, if that’s what you’re thinking,” she said, pulling away from him. “A few kisses are one thing, butI’m not even sure that I like you. You’ve been nothing but a pain in the butt since we met.”
