“Probably,” Darwin agreed.“So, tell me more about this investment consortium.”
She set her wine glass down on the table.“Remember how I said Asher’s family made their fortune in venture capitalism and that they provide money to people looking for investors to fund their tech startup companies?Well, my father is the CEO of a group of very rich, very powerful people who do the same thing, only on a much bigger scale.They use their money along with a network of manufacturers, engineers, marketing firms, and politicians to bring new products and businesses to the market.Most of the people downstairs are here this week, hoping a crumb or two might fall their way if they play their cards right.My father is simply using Khloe and Asher’s wedding to make it easier for those people to approach him.”
Darwin seemed to ponder that––and looking much too sexy in his shorts and T-shirt while he did––but didn’t say anything.
They talked some more about her family, focusing more on her grandparents and how much fun she and Khloe had spending summers at the vineyard with them.It was a subject that always made her smile.
It was well past midnight by the time they finished the wine, hors d’oeuvres, and mini desserts, then left the plates and glasses outside in the hallway for the housekeeping staff.
Katrina was following Darwin over to the door between their adjoining rooms when he suddenly turned around.She barely stopped in time to avoid smacking into that wide expanse of chest.
“I just wanted to tell you that I had a great time tonight,” he said softly.“And that I’m looking forward to spending the rest of the week with you.”
This close to him, Katrina had to tip her head back to look up at him.But it was worth it if it meant being near enough to catch his scent.He smelled nice, all masculine and warm.
“Me, too.”She smiled.“And there’s no one else I’d rather spend the week with, either.Which is a good thing, since I’ve already told everyone you’re my boyfriend.”
She started to laugh about that, but the sound drifted off as Darwin lowered his head and covered her mouth with his.As his strong arms came around her, she parted her lips, teasing his tongue out to play and moaning at how delicious he tasted.Like wine and chocolate, and well,him.Burying her fingers in his hair, she tugged him down, eager for more contact.
She got her wish when the hand on her lower back pulled her in even tighter, pressing his body to hers at the same time his other hand found its way into her hair.In this position, she could feel everything from his firm pecs and his ripped abs to the growing bulge in his shorts.If there was any doubt that Darwin was enjoying this kiss as much as she was, it immediately disappeared.
Which was why she had to bite her lip to hold back a groan of disappointment when he lifted his head and slowly took a step back.
“It’s not that I don’t love kissing you, but if we don’t stop now, we’ll end up in bed, and I don’t want to rush things,” he said, his voice husky, his gaze scorching as he gazed down at her.“So, I’m going to say goodnight and that I’ll see you in the morning.Because I, for one, am looking forward to seeing what our second date holds in store for us.”
Katrina found herself smiling even as the adjoining door between their rooms slowly closed.She didn’t miss the fact that he didn’t lock it from his side.Neither did she.Instead, she turned her back to the door, leaning against it and thinking about that awesome kiss.
She was looking forward to tomorrow as well.Being with Darwin was almost enough to make her forget she’d have to spend more time with her family.
* * * * *
“Do you recognize those two men sitting with your father?”Darwin asked Katrina the next morning.
They’d come down to the Chardonnay Ballroom thirty minutes ago to have breakfast with Khloe and Asher before going on the vineyard tour.Khloe’s maid-of-honor and best friend, Lakelyn Fox, was there, too, as well as Asher’s buddy and best man, Eli Berenger.
While the vineyard tour was supposed to be for close friends and family of the bride and groom, half a dozen business types showed up a little while ago to join Jameson, including the two men Darwin thought looked familiar last night.
“I don’t,” Katrina said, sipping her coffee.
“Me, either.”Khloe glanced that way, then shrugged.“But to be honest, people are always hanging around hoping to talk to Dad.I don’t pay much attention to them.”
Katrina set down her cup to give him a curious look.“Why do you ask?”
“I thought I recognized them from somewhere,” he said.
“The dark-haired man is Silas Forbes, and the guy with the graying hair is Harold Thompson.And the one who just sat down is Arthur Davis.I’ve never met any of them, but I heard Jameson mention them.They’re involved in one of his special projects,” Asher said.“The hush-hush ones that are only open to a limited number of investors.”
Darwin nodded and went back to his bacon and eggs, even as he continued to study the men talking to Jameson.From the dark looks on their faces, they clearly seemed to be upset about something.He still couldn’t shake the idea that he’d seen them somewhere before.The way it was digging at him was irritating as hell.
A few moments later, Jameson shot to his feet and stormed out of the ballroom.Silas and Harold immediately started arguing with each other.Unfortunately, they were too good at keeping their voices down, so Darwin couldn’t hear what they were saying.
While he ate, Darwin scanned the rest of the ballroom.It was smaller than the Sauvignon, and decorated in cream and pale gold instead of green and silver.There were also only about fifty people, too, so compared to last night’s party, it looked almost empty.
Beside him, Katrina was talking to Khloe about where she and Asher were going for their honeymoon.Bali, apparently, from the sounds of it.As he sat there listening to them, he was once again mesmerized by how beautiful Katrina was.All at once, his gaze was drawn to those luscious lips, and he replayed their amazing kiss from last night.He’d thought he might actually have to take another shower before going to bed just to cool off.
Darwin had spent some time traveling around Indonesia in the SEALs, so he suggested some fun things they could do while on the island, including hiking on Mount Batur, which was an active volcano, and visiting the monkey sanctuary, which he’d personally thought was exceptionally cool.
“Katrina told me you’re in the Navy, but she never said what kind of stuff you do,” Khloe said.
