Three days ago, that statement would have thrilled her. Now it just made her heart sink.
Elizabeth, playing the wonderful hostess introduced Lance and Tammy to Anne’s father. He was a very regal looking man, with thinning gray hair, but a strong broad build. He came across as taciturn, but his eyes warmed when they landed on his beautiful daughter. He seemed to genuinely like Royce too. It was a short introduction because her mother shuttled him along. That was okay with Tammy because it was more of an effort than she expected from her mother and appreciated the little bit of it even if it was for Lance.
Lance kept his hand around her waist feigning possessiveness while they moved through the crowd. She wasn’t worried about anything as long as he was near. Her mother kept her distance after the brief introduction most likely due to her embarrassment from the night before. Her father tried to spend more time with her, but whenever he seemed to spend too much time, her mother’s shrill voice called him away.
Tammy had a few more drinks during dinner when she found out she was sitting beside Richard and Melanie again. It helped her cope with the leering stares. Again though, her mother insisted on meddling. Yet, she hadn’t even spent more than a few seconds with her. It was okay though. It should have hurt, but she was relieved that the woman was busy making sure everything was running smoothly. She had to hand it to her, she sure knew how to throw a party. Thankfully Lance didn’t let her sit down too much and kept her distracted. They spent most of the night dancing.
“How are you?”
He’d held her close during one of the slow songs and she felt like they were the only two in the world at that moment. His voice was deep and soothing in her ear. His grip was strong, firm, and confident. His muscular thighs rubbed against her bare legs repeatedly and it was hard to concentrate. Yet dancing with him honestly did relax her despite the distraction of his body. It even took her a moment to register that he’d spoken. Though, she didn’t know how she could have missed it. His voice was dripping with masculine sex appeal. “I’m actually having a good time. The wine has been helping,” she laughed softly.
He tightened his hold moving her closer and turned. “Good to hear.” He bent his head so his mouth brushed her ear when he spoke next. “And you do have such a beautiful laugh.”
Gosh she was going to just melt.
When he circled her around, she saw Melanie staring at them envious. Yes, he was convincing, wasn’t he? In fact, he almost had her convinced.
Her eyes went to the other female spectators watching them with the same expression. Lance was definitely something else to look at and he was attracting attention. Yet, she was the one in his arms. He did a fantastic job at playing the adoring fiancé, and she could have wept over the show he was putting on just to make her happy. He acted as if she was the only woman on earth, that he adored her explicitly. He hadn’t even spared a glance at any of the other women there, and there were some gorgeous women. There was no way she could possibly be more in love with this man at that moment. She closed her eyes shutting everything out while he moved her skillfully around the crowded dance floor.
Before long, the bride and groom were being escorted to a white limousine for a sendoff on their romantic honeymoon. Royce said he was taking her to Italy. Anne and Royce both hugged and kissed Tammy before they left thanking her for coming and reminding her to phone more often. Royce shook Lance’s hand again telling him to make sure she did.
“I will. I promise.”
Royce seemed to be satisfied with that answer, blew his sister a kiss and got in the limousine.
The guests started leaving shortly after that, including her and Lance. She sought out her mother and father to say goodbye. Again George gave her a reserved hug and basically repeated what Royce said. Her mother was still cool, but thanked her for coming.
“Thank you, Lance.” Tammy shut her eyes and leaned her head back against the plush head rest of the car seat. “This could have been so much worse, and I think I actually enjoyed myself.”
“You’re drunk.”
She could hear amusement in his voice. She never drank like this, ever. He was the first one to see her in this condition and for some reason he found it funny. She smiled without opening her eyes. “Yes, yes, I am.” She rolled her head to look at him. “Did I do anything I might regret in the morning?”
He shook his head. His eyes were on her, amused and thoughtful.
“Good.”
“The night’s not over yet Tam,” he added in a husky voice.
She giggled and grinned. “Tsk Tsk councilor, are you trying to seduce me?”
He shook his head. “I told you, it’s up to you.”
At those words she shifted to turn her body toward him and he held up his hand stilling her movement.
“However, I don’t take advantage of inebriated women, even one as beautiful and adorable as you are at this moment.”
“Darn. I blew my chance. I’m drunk enough to be brave.” Her smile grew. She was feeling too good about herself to be insulted by his refusal. Of course the flattering statement he followed it with was certainly helping.
His eyes went over her face, then dropped to the v-line of the material covering her breasts before meeting her eyes. “Although, you do make a tempting argument Miss Easler.”
She didn’t know what came over her, but she knew the liquor had a lot to do with it, when she slipped her bared leg over his lap and slowly moved herself on him. She could see his resistance crumbling and the light humor in his eyes darkening to passion.
Lance reached over and pushed a button to raise the partition between them and the driver as Tammy framed his stubbly jaw in her hands and kissed him. He moved his hands up her bare thighs, cupped her bottom and pulled her abruptly against him. She gasped against his mouth at the sudden aggressive movement.
“Liquor or not, you are a brave girl,” he murmured, moving his mouth tenderly across hers. “Arousing a man like me could have consequences.”
“You said I have the power,” she whispered back while her hands moved down the material of his shirt at his chest.
