CHAPTER SIXTEEN
NATASHASTEPPEDOUTof the sleek black town car, and the driver shut the door behind her.
“Mr. Jensen will be out to meet you in a moment,” the man said before heading back for the driver’s door. He climbed in, started the car again and rolled away, leaving Natasha in front of the Prince Henry Centre.
More cars pulled in, and well-dressed couples were making their way into the building. Floor-length gowns, tuxedos, the works. Natasha pushed her glasses up her nose and frowned. She had chosen the dress, gauzy sea-green and flowing, because it was her favorite. It was supposed to be athis is the real mestatement, but standing next to the red carpet entrance, she was clearly underdressed. Probably an accuratethis is the real mestatement, actually.
Natasha fiddled with her wrap. She had spent most of the fifteen-minute car ride trying not to overanalyze Max’s last-minute switch in plans. His reason for sending a car instead of picking her up himself didn’t change anything.
Because he wanted her here with him. This past week had only added to her curiosity about Max’s relationship with his family, but today wasn’t about her.
The warm ocean breeze curled around her bare skin. Natasha tugged at her wrap again, and when she looked up, he was there, walking out the door. And he was looking for her—Natasha Petrova, lover of fish and logic and rules, the plain Jane to the breathtaking beauty of both her sister and her mother. Max Jensen, the most spectacular man in the world, was looking forher. Her heart beat with giddy hope, and this time, instead of tamping it down, she let that hope flow through her.
Her sister’s words came back to her.You just have to decide whether Max is worth the risk.Yes, he was. That decision was easier than she’d thought it would be. The other question—how would she handle being next to Max as he took the spotlight?—that was harder.
Please trust me...
His plea had stayed with her. Whatever happened tonight, she did trust him. But he couldn’t control everything.
Max continued to scan the area, and his face lit up when he saw her coming toward him. Natasha’s stomach flipped, and her heart pattered faster.
She bit that man yesterday.Bit him.Coming down after that mind-blowing orgasm, she had stared at the red teeth marks on his shoulder. Not that Max seemed to mind her teeth on him.
But the man in front of her tonight was a different Max Jensen. As he closed the space between them, it was clear he wasn’t at ease. Not even close. Lines creased his forehead, and his whole body radiated tension, as if he were on full alert. He didn’t even say hello. He came straight for her and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him. He kissed her head and stroked her hair.
“Thank you for coming, Natasha,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry I couldn’t pick you up. I needed to talk to Francesca and some other donors about you and me, about why I needed to be careful about photos today.”
He kissed her again and then let her go, his hands lingering on her bare skin.
“You okay, Max?”
He nodded. “Much better now that you’re here.”
The lines across his forehead eased as he looked down at her. He rested a large, warm hand on her cheek as his eyes blazed into hers.
“I wish I could have stayed at your place longer yesterday,” he said. “If it wasn’t for tonight, I would have.”
“It’s okay,” she said.
His fingers trailed down her neck, over her shoulders, down her arm until he found her hand. He laced his fingers with hers.
Now that he was touching her again, looking at her, into her with those clear blue eyes, the longing of this week hit her hard. He was reminding her of all the things she had tried to put behind her since they’d left Green Island. That warm, open smile that came so easily. His voice, low and intimate. The weight of his body as he moved against her. Her cheeks flushed as this last image flashed through her in graphic detail.
Later.
Because they were no longer alone on a tropical island. They were outside a high-profile fundraiser for the Jensen Family Foundation.
Max’s smiled faded, and he bent down to brush his lips over hers. Once. Twice. Then he looked into her eyes with an intensity that made her breath catch.
“You look beautiful.” He ran his fingers over the strap of her dress. “Ocean green. I love it.”
These last words came out soft and slow. He opened his mouth again, and she was almost sure he was on the verge of saying something momentous. But then he sighed and muttered something to himself that sounded a lot like,bad timing, asshole.
Then, for the first time that day, he gave her that familiar, playful grin. “You ready to meet the illustrious Deacon Jensen, Jr. and his better-behaved son, TJ?”
She took a deep breath. “Probably not. But I’m ready to walk in there with you.”
“That’s enough.” He kissed her again. “Just having you here is enough.”
