Page 48 of Always Be True: Tino
“Not a problem. There’s nothing like new love to mess with a girl’s mind.” Then her friend patted her on the shoulder. “I’ll let you get back to work.”
Good idea, or it would be, if she could get her mind back on the work at hand instead of her plans for the evening. She and Tino would do their best to get through dinner, listen to the plea for foundation money, and hopefully squeeze in a few dances before escaping back to her place.
She crossed her fingers that the time at the country club would fly by so they could get down to the real entertainment for the evening.
—
Tino hustled his ass around to Natalie’s side of the car to open the door for her. Granted, she was perfectly capable of getting herself in and out of the vehicle on her own. However, this was one of those occasions when he needed to bust out the fancy manners that his foster parents had taught him. Joe had made it clear that all women deserved to be treated with courtesy, but he’d been especially adamant about that being true when the woman in question was special. Natalie definitely fell into that category.
He offered his hand to her and felt the usual surge of heat that happened every time his skin came into contact with hers. Her smile made it clear that she’d felt the same tug of hunger as she climbed out of the car.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
She settled her hand on the crook of his arm as they made their way toward the entrance to the country club. “Did I mention how handsome you are in that tux?”
“You may have once or twice, but I’m glad you think so.”
Especially with what the damn thing had cost him. He hadn’t gone cheap on the one he’d picked out, and then he’d coughed up a sizeable bonus to get it altered in time for tonight. If he and Natalie continued seeing each other, this wouldn’t be the only one of these fancy dinners he’d have to attend. Damned if he’d embarrass her in front of her family and friends by showing up in a rented tux.
He was well aware that Natalie wasn’t exactly calm about this first venture into her world as a couple. It showed in the tight grip she had on his arm and in the way she kept scanning the crowd as they started up the steps together. The only question was who she was more worried about them running into—her parents or the ex-fiancé.
Even the worry in her eyes didn’t detract from how stunning she looked. She’d pulled her hair up in a twist and left a few strands down to frame her face. The black dress showed off her curves perfectly. The neckline dipped just low enough to be enticing without revealing too much, while the hemline hit just shy of her knees and showed off her legs to great advantage.
But as good as it all looked on her, he couldn’t wait to strip it all off and get to the warm and willing woman underneath. Evidently he was broadcasting rather too loudly what he was thinking because Natalie tugged on his arm. “Down, boy. You’re about to meet my parents.”
She nodded toward the couple who stood a short distance in front of them watching their approach. “Best not let them know what we have planned for later. They’re not naïve, but there’s no use in rubbing it in their faces.”
“Good thinking.”
He pasted what he hoped was a more innocent smile on his face while Natalie guided them over to where her parents waited. It was hard to judge what they were thinking, but at least they didn’t look openly hostile.
Natalie released her hold on his arm to step forward to hug first her mother and then her father. Then she stepped back to perform the necessary introductions. “Mom, Dad, this is my friend, Tino Gianelli. Tino, these are my parents, Tracy and Randall Kennigan.”
Her father’s handshake was firm and quick, but her mother was a little slower to release his hand, her study of him a little more analytical. Yeah, he was damn glad he splurged on the tux, because appearances might matter to this woman. He wouldn’t have wanted to come up short in that department.
It was clear that Natalie had gotten her unruly curls from her father and her beauty from her mother. Despite the obvious similarities, they both seemed to lack the spark of innate warmth and charm that drew people of all walks of life to their daughter.
“It’s nice to meet you both.”
Mrs. Kennigan’s smile remained tight. “And you as well, Mr. Gianelli. It was nice of you to jump into the breach to escort Natalie tonight on such short notice.”
“It was my pleasure.”
That was true even if he’d also dreaded the whole affair. Natalie had needed his support this evening, and he’d do his best to blend in with this world of wealth that was second nature to her. He mentally crossed his fingers that he’d do them both proud.
With that in mind, he moved closer to her and put his hand on the small of her back, saying without words that he was more than a last-minute escort. “Especially because she promised there’d be dancing.”
That clearly surprised her mother. “You like to dance?”
“I do. My mother insisted that my brothers and I learn our way around a dance floor.” He glanced at Natalie. “I’m especially fond of the salsa, but I like more conventional styles nearly as much.”
Then he turned his attention back to her mother. “Perhaps you’ll save a dance for me as well?”
Her husband spoke up for the first time. “Oh, man, you just made my wife’s entire evening with that offer. I manage to not embarrass myself too much out on the dance floor, but I’ll never impress anyone with my skills.”
His wife protested. “Now, Randall, you know you’re not that bad.”
