He watched the action and realization dawned in his expression. “Oh Christ. This is going to be the longest night of my life. You never cease to amaze me. You are either full of humility or sass.”
“Is that good?”
“Good? Baby, it’s bewitching. I never know what to expect. And once you show that seductive side, I could fucking die.”
She felt her face heat up as she blushed. It was a very profound statement and he meant it. Those were the words she was hoping for, well not what she exactly expected, but it was better. When he cursed like that, it seemed to make it more intense and not the least bit offensive. It was—wickedly sexy.
Besides being drop-dead gorgeous, she’d always known him as a very poised and stoic man which painted an aura of mystery around him. This side of him was even more attractive and she honestly thought she couldn’t find him more fascinating than he already was.
From their first time together she worried because she didn’t want him to become bored with her and that made her a little more daring. She actually felt thrilled to be panty-less. It was a last minute choice to leave her panties in her suitcase. She just was a little shy on trying to bring up the subject and let him know. Thankfully he did it for her. The look of desire on his handsome face was worth it.
***
Marianne’s apartment was about the size of her parents, so it was fairly large, and very tastefully decorated. There were about a fifty people there, probably the biggest contributors to the charity. She instantly made a beeline to them through the crowd when she spotted Lance. He politely kissed her cheek in greeting.
“I’m so glad you could come too, Tamara,” she said sweetly. “Please come in. Make yourself at home.”
Lance flicked her an amused glance.
YesTamaraagain. “Call me Tammy, please.”Please!
“Of course. Come in and make yourself at home.”
Tammy noticed that she was drinking a glass of wine and it was half empty. She wondered if it was her first. From the way she was touching Lance, even though she now knew he was engaged, she doubted it. She’d also seen her consume a few glasses at the charity event. She was doing her best not to get irritated with the woman after all, she’d worked very hard for the banquet and it was amazing. She’d allow her a few moments basking in the glow of Lance before she got angry. He currently had a hold of her hand and she felt him squeeze it in reassurance. She could have kissed him herself. He wasn’t even looking at her but was aware of Marianne’s advances and how that would make her feel.
Marianne looped her arm through Lance’s despite his grip on Tammy’s and dragged him into the room introducing him to people he didn’t know.
Tammy just bit her tongue because she neglected to introduce her even though Lance was still holding her hand. Thankfully Lance didn’t. She managed to pluck a glass of wine off a passing serving tray and downed in several gulps.
That got a warning look from him.
She just raised her brows.
“Behave,” he murmured.
“Let her go,” she countered sweetly.
A slow smile spread across his face. “Patience darling. I’ll show you who I belong to later, but if you’re going to get shit-faced, you’ll be useless to me.”
God, he could arouse her so quickly. She quickly set the wine glass down and that got her a chuckle.
It was that promise that made her mood lift. She pretended Marianne’s possessiveness didn’t bother her at all, and actually the night wasn’t so bad.
Also, she found out that the man who purchased Marianne was her father, and currently the police commissioner. She felt like an ass thinking he was something else. That’s where assumptions got her, nowhere. She really wasn’t that bad and might have actually been good friends if it wasn’t for Lance. She was just under his spell and it probably made her act out of character. Truly, everything the woman had done for the charity was top notch and would have taken a lot of dedication.
What had made the rest of the night more enjoyable was her artsy friends. They were interesting and fun. One was a fashion designer and very openly gay. She liked him immediately.
Somehow Marianne’s vicelike grip managed to dislodge Lance from her. Tammy relented with Lance’s promise burned in her mind. He would, after all, be going home with her tonight, not Marianne. She resolved to leaning against a wall watching him when she was joined by the fashion designer.
“Yours?”
She looked up at him and he nodded toward Lance. She bit her lip and watched Marianne do her best to occupy every moment of his time so he couldn’t escape. He kept giving her glances of reassurance. It was sweet. “I think so.”
He chuckled. “Damn, I’m disappointed. I was hoping he was gay. He’s gorgeous enough to be.”
She laughed, “I’m Tammy Easler.”
“Eli Parker,” he spoke but his eyes didn’t leave Lance.
