“I’m trying.”
He stared at her in that thoughtful way that made her heart triple its pace. Then he pulled his sleeve back and looked at his watch.
Her eyes followed the gesture with curiosity. “What?”
“I guess I’m wondering if I have enough time to convince you. I suppose being late isn’t going to kill me.”
She felt a thrill go through her. Lance wasneverlate for anything. He was meticulous.
Oh and by the time he left the penthouse, he was over an hour late. An hour late, and sated. Oh yes, he’d convinced her and left her in a tousled mess, naked in his bed. She was asleep and didn’t even hear him leave.
Before she knew it, Vern was knocking on the door of his room. She lifted her head and looked around trying to gauge her surroundings. Her hair fell over her face, and she blew it off.
“Tammy?”
She rubbed her forehead and sat up staring at the large double doors. She gathered the sheet over her breasts feeling suddenly exposed. “Yes?”
“Mr. Hartley called. He’s running late and asked me to fetch you. He’ll meet you at the entrance of the event,” came Vern’s muffled voice through the heavy doors.
“Oh dear. Of course! Twenty minutes?” She threw back the covers and hopped out of bed.
“That will be perfect.”
***
Okay, she wasn’t expecting a gathering this big. She’d never been to the IVOC charity dinner, but it felt as though she was attending a Hollywood premier with the amount of press and people present.
Vern glided the car up to the entrance and someone opened the door for her and offered her his hand. She accepted and got out to flashes of light. Gosh, she certainly wasn’t a celebrity but she supposed they were taking pictures just to make sure they didn’t miss anyone important.
After a moment the flashes started to subside because another stretched limo pulled up to the entrance and they focused on those occupants. She saw Lance then. He was standing beside Marianne and she had her arm looped through his. It looked like they were being interview by a reporter. He was still a vision of masculine perfection though. How he ended up in a tuxedo from the suit he had on a few short hours ago surprised her. Did he change here? Maybe he changed at Marianne’s? Oh, why was she being like this? Surely there was nothing left in him after he’d left her that afternoon. She felt herself smile.
It was at that exact moment another flash went off in her face. Then Lance saw her. His expression barely revealed it, but she could see it clearly now because she knew him better—desire. Unmistakable, red-hot, desire. His eyes went down her body slowly and a carnal look appeared in his eyes. When they met hers again there was a mixture of that and possessiveness. She walked toward him just as the interview ended. There were many other people along the entrance way, arriving the same time as her, but she never even noticed any of them.
Marianne was distracted by someone else who greeted her as Lance turned and walked away without a word. Tammy could see the look of disappointment on her face as he’d left, but she’d yet to recognize her yet.
His arm went around her waist and he leaned down and kissed her cheek before whispering in her ear. “This is not a fair fight. Marianne is going to faint.”
She smiled. “I never claimed to play fair.”
“I just want to rip that thing off you right here. You are the most desirable woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. I’m going to be impatient as hell to get you home and be inside you again.”
His deep husky voice just exacerbated that promise. And her heart leapt. Oh lord, she could just melt. Every inch of her throbbed at those words.
“Oh Tamara, how lovely for you to join us. I wasn’t sure you were coming when you didn’t show up with Lance.”
Us?She moved back and saw Marianne come and stand a little too close to Lance for her liking. “I was getting ready.”
“Of course. Your dress is lovely.”
Marianne wore a black sequined number that was strapless, and she could see now that the woman was heavily endowed. She was practically spilling out of the top. Gosh, she was really pretty and the dress only flattered her more. “You look beautiful.” Tammy couldn’t help it. She was being honest despite her jealousy.
“Oh, this old thing. I’ve had it for months now.”
As if sensing her failing confidence, Lance moved his arm around Tammy’s waist as if confirming who he came with. “Ready?”
“I am.” She smiled widely at him.
“We’ll see you in there Marianne.” His eyes stayed on Tammy as he led her away and into the building.
