Page 48 of The Billionaire Benefactor

As if sensing her surprise, he gave a crooked smile. “Dancing lessons when I was younger. Just part of growing up a Bennett.”

Jenny felt eyes on them and realized that people were watching. A few took pictures with their phones. This was just another part of what it meant—not just to be a Bennett, but to be Roman. Could she get used to this? Roman didn’t seem to notice, but his whole life had been somewhat public.

A slower song came on and Roman dropped her hand, putting his other hand around her waist and pulling her closer. He was so tall that even in her heels, she couldn’t wrap her arms around his neck. She settled for resting them on his chest near his shoulders, sighing. Maybe she could handle being scrutinized if this was the tradeoff.

“Jenny?” He angled his head, catching her attention and drawing her gaze up until their eyes met.

“Yes?”

“I’m sorry that I didn’t have you walk through the press with me. I know I gave you the choice, but I think I encouraged you too much to skip it. It wasn’t because I didn’t want you by my side. I’m not embarrassed by you and I’m not afraid to show you off. I was thinking that it might protect you better not to have you with me. Maybe that was wrong. Or, maybe that’s true, but it doesn’t make it the right choice. I know that things with us wouldn’t be easy, but I think that—”

A buzzing in the pocket of her dress startled Jenny. She stopped mid step and pulled away from Roman to look at the phone. “Sorry,” she said. “It’s my mom. Hello?”

Jenny could hear Lucy wailing before her mother got a word out. “Sweetie, I hate to interrupt your date, but Lucy had another nightmare and we can’t get her to calm down. She’s asking for you and crying and we don’t know what to do. I’m so sorry.”

“No, Mom—it’s okay. Just hold her and I’m on my way back.” She hung up but kept the phone in hand. “Roman, I’m so sorry. I have to get back. It’s Lucy.”

He nodded and took her elbow. “Here, let’s get you to the car.”

Roman walked quickly, cutting through the crowds and making a path. Jenny was grateful for him, but her feet were beginning to hurt in the heels. She felt a sudden pang of sorrow that cut through the urgent worry about Lucy. If she was going to end things with Roman, this was it—the last bit of time together. It wasn’t enough. She couldn’t talk about this in a hurry. They needed more time.

When they got to the lobby of the building, he pulled out his cell and sent a text. “The driver will be here for us in two minutes.”

“Us?”

“Our date isn’t over,” he said, running a fingertip over her cheek. She shivered, feeling that small touch ignite her. “I’m not letting you go home alone.”

“Roman, you can’t. This event was something you needed to be at…”

He cut her off with a hand in the air. “Nonsense. I’m with you tonight.”

The sleek town car pulled up outside the doors and he put a hand on her back, urging her forward.

“Roman!”

His hand dropped, and Jenny turned to see his mother striding toward them. He gave her a gentle nudge. “Get in. Give me just a minute.”

Jenny nodded, and the driver opened the door so she could get in the back of the car. She tapped the phone impatiently, watching Roman and his mother. The tension between them was palpable, even from a distance. His mother obviously didn’t want him to leave. Her heart sank, but she knew that he had an obligation to stay. And would she really want him there when she tried to comfort Lucy? Thinking of Lucy filled her with a sense of urgency. She needed to get home. Now. If she tried to talk to Roman, it would only slow things down. She didn’t want to ditch him, but given all the circumstances, sneaking away was perhaps the best option.

“It’s okay,” she told the driver. “Roman’s going to stay. Could you just take me home, please?”

Jenny watched Roman as the car eased away from the curb, but he was still arguing with his mother and didn’t see them leave. While part of her heart was already fixed on home and Lucy, she felt like a sliver of it stayed behind with Roman.

She sent him a quick text as the driver hit the highway.

Jenny:Sorry, but I had to go. It looked like you needed to stay. Let’s talk soon.

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