Page 56 of Always Be True: Tino
There was real concern in her voice, which came as a bit of surprise. He’d almost forgotten she and Natalie’s mother were close friends. Maybe the strain of having to spend time with the woman who had hurt her son had taken its toll on her. No doubt the realization that Natalie and Tino were involved in an ongoing relationship had been a real eye-opener for both her and Benton.
Tracy offered her friend a rather wan smile. Maybe the headache had been more than a simple excuse to leave. If not, she was one heck of an actress. “It’s nothing a couple of ibuprofen and a good night’s sleep won’t fix. I’ll see you at lunch on Thursday.”
Randall’s own smile looked strained. “Good night, Gloria. Tell Tom I’ll text him our tee time in the morning.”
“I will.” Turning her attention in their direction, she nodded at each of them in turn. “Mr. Gianelli. Natalie, don’t be a stranger.”
Then she walked away without waiting for a response. Meanwhile, Randall took his wife’s hand. “Once we’re outside, I’ll pull the car around to pick you up.”
“That’s not necessary. I can walk that far. I think the fresh air will actually help.”
The four of them made their way to the front entrance of the building and stepped out into the night. The late-evening air tasted sweet, a nice counterpoint to the stuffy atmosphere back inside the building.
It didn’t take long to reach the Kennigans’ Lexus. Her dad stuck out his hand. “It was nice meeting you, Tino, even if the evening ended up being a little rough around the edges. We’d love to have you over for dinner soon.”
“That would be nice, sir.”
Tracy already looked a little perkier. It was impossible to tell if the improvement was due to the fresh air or the chance to get away from the crowd. Probably both. “Thank you for the dance, Tino. You should know that I was the envy of my friends. A couple even asked if we’d be willing to share you the next time.”
Natalie looked horrified by the prospect. “Mom, please tell me you didn’t actually offer to loan him out!”
Her mother laughed. “Of course not. I just thought I should warn him.”
Randall opened the car door for his wife, clearly ready to be heading home. “Leave the poor guy alone, Tracy. It’s bad enough that he had to deal with the Humboldts tonight without threatening to ask him to dance with the entire menopausal set.”
Natalie snickered as she took Tino’s hand in hers. “And on that scary note, we’ll be going now. I’ll let you know if there’s anything the foundation can do for the orchestra.”
Her father nodded. “I know you’ll do your best.”
Tino let Natalie lead him away from her parents. He managed a quick wave before falling in step next to her.
When they were out of hearing, she said, “God, Tino, I’m so sorry about tonight. Seriously, if I’d had any idea the evening would turn out to be so awkward, I would’ve refused to attend at all. For sure I would never have knowingly subjected you to Benton’s appalling behavior.”
“It’s his problem, Nat, not ours.”
Well, except for the fact he was majorly pissed off about everything that had happened. For Natalie’s sake, he’d bent over backward to disguise himself as one of the crowd—starting with buying a tux he couldn’t really afford, and then dusting off all the good manners Joe had drilled into all of his sons. Anything to fit in with her friends and family. Despite his best efforts, the Humboldts had clearly pegged him as an intruder.
Worse yet, he was still fighting the adrenaline rush from that final confrontation with Natalie’s ex. Having no handy target for his anger, he channeled his frustration into a completely different direction instead. Offering her no warning, he tightened his hold on Natalie’s hand as he veered off the pavement and into the trees that lined the parking lot. Under the cover of deep shadows, he spun his woman into his arms and kissed her long and hard. When she gasped at the sudden embrace, he deepened the kiss as he lifted her high against his chest.
Pressing her back against the closest tree, he guided her legs up around his hips. Settling his raging erection right against her core, he flexed his hips several times, craving the connection that was only slightly hindered by the layers of clothing between them.
“Tino! What are you doing?” Natalie clung to his shoulders, her eyes wide with shock. At least she didn’t demand that he release her.
God knows, resorting to caveman tactics might not be the smartest move he could have made. Regardless, his instincts screamed for him to reestablish his claim on Natalie, to mark her as his now, and to make sure that she damn well knew it.
Natalie was slow to surrender, but she gradually melted into him. Her soft moan fanned flames, sending the fire perilously close to raging out of control. For sure he shouldn’t have his hands on her ass and his tongue down her throat right out there when any number of her parents’ friends could see them.
It took every bit of strength he had to dial back the heat. His voice was sandpaper rough when he whispered near her ear, “We need to go before I fulfill a favorite fantasy of mine. It involves taking a gorgeous woman up against a tree in the woods.”
Natalie’s voice was equally husky in the darkness, her own hands wandering down interesting paths. “Personally, I’ve always dreamed of a tall, dark warrior carrying me off to have his wicked way with me. Maybe we can check off two fantasies at one time.”
Damned if he wasn’t tempted. But then the headlights of a passing car skirted the edge of the shadows where they stood. “As much as I’d love to indulge in a little lovingal fresco,maybe we should take this someplace a little more private.”
She actually looked disappointed. “Fine, be that way. But promise you’ll drive fast on the way home.”
“I promise.”
Then to prove he was that warrior who planned to have his wicked way with his lady, he swept Natalie up in his arms and carried her the rest of the way to the car.
