"I don't need a prince to save me, but thanks for the offer." Someone should just nickname me Ms. Prickly.
A deeper voice boomed from behind me. "Every woman should have a prince, even if she doesn't need one. Women should be treated like the princesses they are." I turned to see a man who looked more like Jon than Ash, but older. His blond hair had silver streaks, but his blue eyes were still sharp and it was clear the brothers got their height and build from their dad.
Ash's smile wavered, turning to something sour. "Dad, this is Catelyn Travis, a close friend of the Beaumonts. Catelyn, this is Ashton Benjamin Davenport the Second. We just call him Dad."
"Miss Travis, it's a pleasure to meet you. I hope my boys are treating you well."
"Like a princess." I beamed.
He chuckled. I could tell this was a man used to getting what he wanted when he wanted, and admired Ash for being able to stand up to him and go his own way, even if he took some hits on the road to his own path.
"You've raised two gentlemen, sir," I said. Whatever I felt about the brothers and their irritating competition for my attention, I didn't want to set them against their father. They didn't deserve that.
"Glad to hear it. Your name—Travis—is familiar to me. Have I met you or your family before?" His eyes bore into mine, as if trying to read every secret in my mind.
"We haven't met, and I doubt you've met my parents. They died many years ago."
I could tell the moment he connected the dots. "The Midnight Murderer. I remember that case. I had some friends in the DA’s office and every lawyer there was biting at the bit for it to go to trial, but the police botched the investigation. Never even had a viable suspect, I believe."
My skin prickled with trepidation. "Yes, that's correct."
Ash stepped in, offering me his arm, which I took. "I was just taking Miss Travis to get a drink. Good to see you, Dad."
"Son."
Ash escorted me away, securing us drinks on the way to the buffet table. "It seems my family will be perpetually apologizing to you for how we each behave."
"He's… " I searched for the right word, "…an intense man."
"Ha! That's one word for it."
My nerves settled as the party became livelier and some unexpected guests arrived.
Professor Cavin had polished up well, if not quite as high end as some of the other guests. "What are you doing here?" I asked, offering him a glass of champagne.
"The Beaumonts are old friends, and their version of sending out Christmas cards is inviting people to their annual party." He didn't have quite the same confidence here that he had in the classroom, which I understood. Even a Harvard law professor could be intimidated by some of the names at this party, including a few well-known celebrities that I'd worked hard not to go all fan-girl over.
"I'm glad you're here," I said.
A waiter walked up holding a tray of hors d'oeuvres,and I did a double—take. "Lucky?"
He smiled. "I got a gig with the catering company when I couldn't land a spot at the mall." He glanced down at himself. "I ain’t never felt this fancy before."
"It suits you."
The music, the food, the buzz of champagne running through my veins, all of it took the edge off the stress I'd been carrying for weeks. I laughed and danced and enjoyed myself. In an odd sort of duel, each of the Davenport men asked me for a dance, starting with their father.
Mrs. Davenport looked on kindly as I walked to the floor with her husband. I felt no sexual intentions, but I did feel judged, as if my dance skills would be used to determine if I was good enough for either of his sons.
Dancing with Jon left me happy in the kind of way a pleasant day at the beach might.
And then I danced with Ash.
"Saving the best for last, I see," he said, slipping his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to him, my breasts pressed against his chest.
"Is there something going on with the Davenport men?" I asked.
"One thing I will say about us, we appreciate a beautiful woman. And you have stolen this party tonight."
His hand dipped down to the small of my back as he leaned in to put his mouth near my ear, his lips brushing my earlobe so gently I almost didn't feel it. "I'm tired of waiting for other people or fate to bring us together. Have dinner with me this week."
I didn't know what to say. He made my body throb for something I'd never had before. He made me want to do bad things all night long, and then rinse and repeat. He made me wish there were fewer clothes between us, because suddenly dancing felt like vertical sex and I just wanted to feel him inside of me.
Dancing with Ash scared the hell out of me.
Seeing him again. On purpose. For an actual date. I didn't know how that would work. The song ended and we stopped dancing, but still he held me close. "I'm not letting go until you answer me."
"I'm in the middle of a big mess in my life. You don't want to be a part of that."
"Let me decide what I want to be a part of."