A valet opens my door shortly before Andy arrives with a helping hand. The line of cars ahead and behind us is impressive, along with the men and women with more bling than I can imagine.
My bargain find that had been a previous season’s designer dress starts to pale in my eyes as we make our way to the coat check near the humongous ball room. But Andy’s eyes nearly pop out of his head when he sees me without my coat.
He runs a thumb over a spaghetti strap as he leans in and says, “You are stunning.”
My cheeks flame scarlet for the second time that night. “You’re looking good yourself.” And he does. His tux, although classic, fits him as if sewn on his body.
He takes my hand and leads me away from the direction of the ballroom. I wonder for a millisecond why we stop in an alcove.
“D— Andy,” I correct mid-squeal. His sudden boldness takes me by surprise as he backs me into a corner.
“Cate. You are going to kill me tonight. I’ve barely thought about anything else except seeing you tonight. Then you wear this dress and all I want to do is tear it off of you.”
He doesn’t ask as he presses his mouth to mine hard. As he kisses me, I fear the tiny scrap of fabric between my legs won’t hold the moisture I feel pooling from his kiss alone. His hand leaves my hips and rounds to the small of my back. I have the urge to hike up a leg and ride him right there, not caring people could walk by. Actually, the idea thrills me and I know I will have to go to the bathroom to mop up the moisture so I don’t mess up the silk of my dress. When he presses into me further, his hard length wedges perfectly against my sweet spot forcing me to moan.
“Jesus, if you keep making noises like this I’m going to carry you caveman style upstairs to one of the rooms.”
“Why not here?” I breathe. I’m teasing, but at the same time I’m daring him to do it.
He groans and steps back. I watch in fascination as he adjusts himself. He follows my eyes down to his man parts and then his eyes darken with heat.
“You’re not playing fair.”
My life has changed, and I’m not the same person I was. “I’m not playing at all.” I hold his cerulean blue gaze letting him know how serious I am.
“Later,” he promises.
I nod in agreement.
“Wait.” I pull a compact out of my clutch to fix my lipstick. Then I step forward and wipe at his mouth, trying to remove the remnants of my smudge proof lipstick. I think I need a refund. Andy decides to play with fire and sucks my thumb in his mouth.
I shake my head, pulling my thumb free. “You said later.”
He steps up behind me after I turn to make my way out. He stops me from moving forward with firm hands on my hips. “I have to be honest with you. When I finally get inside you again, it will be hard and fast. I’ve waited too long to have you in my bed again. It won’t be sweet, but I can promise you’ll love it.”
I step back, pressing my ass against him. I’m completely turned on. “Give me your worst then.”
The sound that comes from his throat reminds me of a growl as he slides his hands down the sides of my hips before he walks us back to the ballroom. The man’s touch sets me aflame each and every time. My mind wanders to how he touched me last week at his house before I stopped him. I have to focus on the many guests of tonight’s gala with fortunes to burn in order to turn the lust part of my brain off.
The philanthropists attending this event must have included men and women with net worth rivaling the assets of some banks, the way they ooze money in their couture outfits and diamond-encrusted jewelry.
A woman in a modest dress with a clip board stops us before we’ve made it too far. I’m busy trying not to look at Andy’s ass, so I take in the room instead while she chitters in a hushed tone.
Above, chandeliers spill from the ceiling in graceful tear drop shapes. A railing circles the room, giving the impression of a second story. And the walls’ trim and chairs are the color of gold which is fitting for the amount of affluence that is in the room.
“Your table is over here.” I overhear her tell Andy.
We walk in a maze between round tables to one near the front. A podium is set up not too far from where we are.
“I forgot to mention I may be a guest of honor tonight,” he says with a mischievous smile.
Before I can question Andy’s whispered words, a woman in a Grecian dress of white and gold floats over as her flowing golden hair follows her.
“Drew! I’m so happy you were able to make it.”
She’s taken his arm and turns him to completely face her.
“Désirée,” Andy barely gets out before she air kisses both of his cheeks.
“You are so handsome. And you’ll be fine tonight. My sister would have said so herself.”