One thing I did know for sure was that the guys wouldn’t be leaving me alone for a single second. Which was completely fine with me. I was in no rush to be ambushed again. Ever.
The gala was taking place at a venue that had been rented out in the city. Most of the stations in the entire county would be present for this thing, so a big enough space was needed to fit them all plus their families and other city representatives that would be present. It was a major event that not only brought in revenue for the many stations but also for charities that were set up for families who’d lost someone they loved or even a business they owned in a fire. It was important for everyone to be there to talk up investors and other people who would be willing to empty out some of their pockets for the cause.
I tried to squish down all the thoughts of the arsonist as we pulled up to the building. Tonight was going to be a good night if we just tried.
Porter parked as close as he could get to the building, but most of the spaces were already filled so we ended up quite far back in the parking lot. There were already dozens of people walking up the steps into the large building, all of them dressed to the nines like they were celebrities.
Darren was the first to my door, opening it for me and holding onto my hand as I stepped out. Satisfied me and my dress had cleared the door, he shut it and looped my arm through his. Alden came to my other side and took my other arm, creating a Duvall brother double escort for me. Porter walked behind us, his hand occasionally reaching out and swiping my hair from my back so he could run his finger down my spine or across my shoulders as we moved. I could feel everyone’s eyes on us when we ascended the stairs, most of them probably trying to figure out just which man I was with.
But we walked on, concentrating only on each other and the room around us as we entered the building. The venue was stunning with its shining white floors, crystal chandeliers, and numerous circular tables decorated with white table cloths, golden plates and silverware, and candles. Waiters dressed in tuxedos walked around with platters filled with glasses of wine, champagne, and copious amounts of hors d’oeuvres. I’d never been to such a fancy and expensive looking function, so excitement buzzed through me.
Darren snagged a couple glasses of champagne from a platter as a waiter walked by, handing one to me and keeping the other for himself.
“Thank you,” I replied, sipping the sweet bubbly concoction.
“I think our seats are closer to the front. Let’s go find them before we look for Dad,” Alden said, placing a hand on my lower back to escort me in that direction.
It took some maneuvering for the four of us to make our way through the crowd of gala attendants before we managed to find our table. Duvie happened to be at the same one and was there waiting when we got there. As was Mama Torres and Alice who sat at the table directly next to ours. I greeted them with hugs and compliments before Darren and Alden’s dad stole me away for his greeting.
“You look fantastic, Bug,” Duvie said, pulling me into a warm embrace.
“Not so bad yourself. I had no idea you could clean up so well,” I joked, earning a roaring laugh from Duvie.
“Cheeky, girl. Well, I’m glad I said hi to you all before I went in search of the events coordinator. Have some drinks and make sure at least one of my boys takes you for a dance,” he nodded at the Duvall boys and sent me a wink.
“Will do. Have fun.” I took another long sip from my glass, then set it down and looked at my men. “So? Who’s gonna ask me to dance?”
Porter stood faster than either of the other two could blink and had my hand in his. “I believe I called the first dance, my lady.”
I laughed and gave him a playful bow of my head. “Then lead the way, good sir.” Blowing the other two a quick kiss, I let him pull me toward the dance floor where several other couples were already dancing. Classical music was being played by a small band that sat upon a stage in the far corner of the room, the melody a slow and lovely one.
“Have I mentioned how breathtaking you look tonight?” Porter asked, sliding one hand around my waist and the other at the nape of my neck as we started to sway together.
I grinned and nodded. “You have but it doesn’t hurt to tell me again.”
“Oh, I’ll be telling you all night. Over and over. Among other things,” he said seductively as a whisper in my ear.
Of course my thoughts went rampant with all the things I wanted him to do over and over to me as we danced through one song and then another. We took a break so I could rest my feet and get some water before Darren took over dancing with me. It really was a wonder where my men learned to dance so elegantly because it was clear from watching Duvie with his two left feet dancing with a lovely brunette woman that they didn’t get it from him. When Darren switched off with Alden and he too danced just as well as the other two had, I needed to know how.
“Who taught you three to dance?”
Alden laughed and spun me around quickly before pulling me back into his chest. “Porter’s mom. Mom died before she could teach us, and as you can see, Dad has zero dancing skills. Mama Torres taught us when we were around eighteen I think. Said any good man should know how to twirl a lady on the dance floor.”
I laughed, loving how Porter’s mom had not only taken up becoming a second mom to me but to the Duvall brothers as well. Just went to show you just how wonderful of a woman she was.
Finally dinner was announced and I was given a reprieve from all the dancing. As fun as I was having, these shoes Alice had gotten me were killer. There would definitely be blisters in the morning.
We all took our seats as waiters came out with rolling carts filled with plates of food. Tonight’s menu was some type of fish, garlic whipped mashed potatoes, and parmesan buttered asparagus. The smells hit my nose and made my mouth water, reminding me it had been too long since I’d eaten.
As we ate, I’d occasionally feel Darren’s hand slide under the table and his thumb rub circles around my knee. Alden would playfully poke my side whenever I got too quiet as I listened to the conversations around me, pulling a giggle out of me that I’d have to cover up with a cough. And Porter, the naughty man, would glide his foot up and down my leg that was exposed from the slit of my skirt, testing how high he could touch me before I’d push his foot away.
All in all, my men were slowly but surely driving me insane.
After dinner was finished, I made a run to the ladies room. Alden came with me to wait outside, not wanting to let me wander out of their sight for too long. I convinced him to wait a little ways down the hall so he wasn’t raising eyebrows from other people coming in and out of the bathrooms.
When I finished my business and came out, I bumped into someone leaving the men’s room.
“Oh! Excuse me, I’m so sorry.”
