She took in the well-tailored, dark suit, the blinding white shirt and the red power tie. But what really caught her attention was the look of admiration and lust on Simon’s face.
“Hi,” she said, stepping back to let him in. “I’m ready. I just have to get my bag.”
He grabbed her arm. “Montana,” he said, his voice husky. “You look amazing.”
“Thank you.”
She returned to the bedroom and found her sisters standing in the doorway, listening.
“I was hoping for more,” Nevada said. “That he would be overwhelmed and have sex with you right there on the sofa.”
“Not with you two listening.”
“We would have let ourselves out the back.”
Montana pushed between them and grabbed her small clutch. “You still can.” She grinned. “Besides, you didn’t see the look on his face.”
Dakota laughed. “Point taken. Have fun. Call and tell us all the details.”
“I will,” Montana promised, and returned to the living room. “I’m ready.”
“Me, too,” Simon said with a sigh. “I’d prefer to stay here for a while, but if we’re too late, they’ll get suspicious.”
She thought about mentioning the fact that her sisters were standing in her bedroom, but then decided he didn’t need to know that. Besides, there was always later. “Rain check?”
“Absolutely.”
SIMON USUALLY HATED these kinds of events. He wasn’t a party guy and had always preferred quiet conversation over loud music. However, this fundraiser seemed to be better than most. For one thing, he knew a surprising number of people attending.
The mayor had greeted him at the door. Most of the ladies from his recent lunch were there, along with much of the hospital staff. His recent return to good temper meant that the nurses were now speaking to him. But the biggest difference was Montana.
He’d never attended something like this with a date before. Not only was she the most beautiful woman in the room, she had a social ease that made him feel more comfortable. She knew everyone, knew their children or their parents. She asked the right questions, smiled and laughed in the right places.
“You must be finding a lot to enjoy in our city,” an older woman said, looking more than a little determined. “Fool’s Gold has so much to offer.”
Before Simon could sidestep the implication, Montana spoke. “I’ve been showing him all over town,” she said easily. “Have you been out to the vineyards lately? I think this is going to be our biggest harvest ever.” She turned to Simon. “Grape harvesting is always a huge event in town.”
She returned her attention to the woman. “Now, which of the festivals is closest to the grape harvest?”
And as easily as that, they were talking about wine and grapes and tourists. The pressure to get Simon to stay, forgotten.
“You’re very good,” he told her, when they escaped yet another determined citizen.
“The art of distraction. I’ve been practicing.”
“I appreciate it.”
“I’m a full-service girlfriend. You might have noticed.”
Girlfriend. It wasn’t a word he used in the context of any relationship he’d ever had, but she was right.
He picked up her hand and kissed her palm.
A waiter passed carrying a tray of champagne. Simon collected a glass for each of them.
They were in the ballroom of the hotel up on the mountain. It was an elegant resort designed with comfort in mind. Chandeliers glittered overhead. A small band played in a corner and the sound of conversation competed with the music. French doors led out onto a patio. Beyond that was an acre or so of grass before the mountains rose toward the sky.
He returned his attention to Montana. As always, he wanted her. He couldn’t be in the same room with her and not desire her. But more than that, he enjoyed her company. She was both arousing and comforting. A delicious contradiction.
The music shifted to something slow and sexy.
“Dance with me?” he asked.
She raised her eyebrows. “You don’t strike me as the dancing type.”
“I’m not. But I’d like to dance with you.” He took the glass from her hand and set it on a small table, then led the way to the dance floor at the far end of the ballroom.
“Do you know what you’re doing?” she asked. “Do you want me to lead?”
He took her in his arms and led her through a series of complicated steps. She followed easily.
“Wow,” she said.
“When I was in the hospital, several of the nurses would dance with me. It was an easy way to get exercise. They swore one day I would find the girl I wanted to dance with. I didn’t think it was ever going to happen.”
He’d never told anyone about that before, had never had any reason to use his waltzing skills.
“You’re pretty good yourself,” he said. “What’s your excuse?”
“Mom made us take lessons. Just the girls. It was very sexist of her.”
“I think it’s sweet.”
“You didn’t have three brothers making fun of you.”
“I’m confident you and your sisters were able to handle them.”