Page 25 of Heart in Waiting
“I suppose we should go.”
She nodded but didn’t make any moves to exit her condo. Reese stood there, staring at him, and Dane had no idea what she wanted. He was equally transfixed. This moment wouldn’t ever come again. It took every one of his breaths, and his soul wanted to absorb it. He fell in love with her all over again, and she’d done nothing other than put on a pretty dress.
“Dane?” She tilted her head. “What is it?”
He shook his head. Her beauty and grace healed scars in him that he hadn’t realized still ached. It was enough to make a man fall to his knees and worship the goddess before him. She’d been difficult over the past few days, but he didn’t blame her for that. In her situation, he might have done the same. It had to be hard to deal with being a target for a psychopath. “It’s nothing. You’re right. We should head out.”
“Right.” She licked her lips.
If she did that again, they might not go anywhere. He became hypnotized watching the slow slide of her pink tongue over her full lips. She was his one weakness, and he was crumbling fast. “After you,” he said, gesturing toward the door.
She stepped toward him instead and placed her hand on his chest. “Your tie is messed up. Let me fix it.”
He stood there like an idiot, reveling in her touch. She undid his tie and then slowly redid the knot. She slid her hand over the length, flattening against him. “You’re a mess.” Her voice was husky and warm. “You don’t dress up often, do you?”
“When I have to testify in court. I don’t have a reason to otherwise.”
“No female to impress?” The corner of her mouth tilted upward. “Don’t you date? Women like a man in a suit. You look fine in this one.”
He had one suit, and it was for as he’d said—court appearances. It was charcoal gray and his tie a dark blue. Paige had helped him pick it out. She’d said it matched his eyes, and he hadn’t really cared, so he’d bought it all. Now he appreciated the purchase and Paige’s advice. He didn’t have any other females to ask. His mother still worked too hard and kept to herself.
“Thank you—I think.”
He didn’t know how to respond to her appraisal of him. Dane didn’t receive compliments much, so he didn’t have much practice in how to accept them. He liked that she seemed to savor him with her gaze though. If she liked what she saw, perhaps they were already heading in the direction he wanted. If he thought she’d allow a kiss, he’d already have placed his lips on hers. She was his drug of choice, and he was desperate for a fix.
“Oh, it’s definitely a good thing,” she reassured him. “Maybe I should do more to convince you.” She wound her arms around his neck. “Kiss me like you want me.”
“Wanting you has never been a problem.” He shouldn’t do as she suggested, but he wasn’t strong enough to say no. He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers. She tasted like heaven, and he was the devil sweeping in to claim her. Heat engulfed him, and he gladly stepped into the flame. She opened her mouth, and everything blazed hotter with the touch of her tongue against his. He moaned and kissed her until their breaths became one.
Dane lifted his head and met her gaze. Sparks of desire nearly glinted from her eyes. He imagined his was equally heated, and if he pushed, he might convince her to stay in for the night. He decided against that plan though. Dane hadn’t lied earlier; he’d always wanted her and always would, but he loved her enough to put her needs first. The fundraiser was something important to her, and he’d ensure she made it there.
“Kiss me again,” she demanded.
“I will,” he assured her. “Later, when this is done. There are more important things we have to do tonight. Those kids are counting on you making a lot of money for your research. Let’s go make bank.”
“And after?”
“We’ll make this a night to remember for the rest of our days.”
“I’m going to hold you to that.” She lowered her arms and sashayed toward the door. She glanced over her shoulder and asked, “Are you coming?”
Not yet...But later they both would do that and more. He lifted the corner of his lips up into a wicked smile. Sometimes being bad could be oh so good. “Right behind you, sweetheart.”
Then they exited her condo and headed toward the fundraiser. It was going to be a long night, but at the end of it, she’d finally be his—and he never wanted anything more...
