Page 37 of Bear In A Bookstore
His tone was different than it had been earlier. Gone was the lightness and general air of teasing. He was more reserved now. She had to admit that it hurt a little.
“Are you okay?”
He pulled into the hotel parking lot and put the truck in park. His smile was unconvincing.
“It’s just been a long day.”
Hehadbeen at her house at six-thirty this morning. “Anytime you want to leave is fine. I can call a cab to get home, so it’s no bother.”
Desi took her hand, startling her. Heat rushed over her palm and down her forearm.
“I want to be with you tonight. No way in hell would I let you call a cab. I’m fine, Kora. Hey, let’s get some food before the vultures eat it all.”
Some of the ease was back in his voice but it wasn’t fully convincing. He came around and helped her from the truck, lightly holding her hand for a moment before slipping his fingers away. She held her clutch with both hands, trying to ignore the pleasurable tingles where his hand met her lower back as he guided her up the steps.
Kora had been inside the hotel once before, but it was no less impressive this time around. The sprawling white building with its red roof was beautiful on the outside, but the historic interior drew the eye to every corner. They walked down the carpeted hall and through a doorway arch entering the white ballroom with a gleaming wooden floor. The room was already filled with guests, music filling the space. Servers in short, white coats milled through the crowd with trays of champagne.
Tables and chairs were tastefully arranged throughout the room, a buffet against the left wall filled the room with delicious aromas. Kora hitched a brow. She was impressed. She’d imagined this would be a slightly cheesy affair. After Desi had filled her in on what the male exotic dancers had really been like, she didn’t have high hopes for much else.
But this was fancy. And the community came out in full force to support the children’s hospital, which was incredible. It made her feel good to be a business owner here. Pulling a breath through her nose, she willed herself to enjoy the evening.
“This is really nice.”
Desi snagged two glasses from a passing server and handed her one. “They put on a good event. Know anyone here?”
She glanced around while sipping her champagne, spotting few familiar faces. “Not really.”
“Let’s make the rounds. I’ll introduce you.”
He offered his arm. They mingled with fellow business owners, some on her block whom she’d yet to meet. Everyone welcomed her, asked questions, a few openly staring at her with interest. If anyone recognized her, they didn’t mention it, though she braced herself for the inevitable. She could only hope that if someone had questions or comments about her past, they’d be tasteful about it. As Desi introduced her to everyone he knew, she was relaxed enough to enjoy herself and make conversation. This is what it used to be like. Talking, mingling, enjoying good champagne with interesting people.
“Well, that’s the sum of people I know. Should we be totally awkward and make small talk with strangers, now?”
“That’s terrifying.”
“Agreed. Though, you’ve essentially been doing that for the last hour. You’re a pro.”
Kora smiled. Yes, yes, she had, and it felt damn good.
The bell rang, announcing that the buffet line was open. She squeezed his arm as they moved into line. “Thank you for taking me around. It’s been a while since I’ve been in a crowd like this.”
He searched her face. “You’re welcome, Kora.”
Heat pulsed between them as their eyes locked. The sounds of the crowd faded; the space around her narrowing until it was just her and him. She leaned closer and gripped his waist with one hand. Goosebumps lit on her arms as she drew his scent, full and rich.
“Desi—”
His head suddenly snapped up. He assessed the crowd, homing in on something across the room. She followed his gaze but couldn’t ascertain what had captured his attention. He gave her wrist a light squeeze.
“Excuse me for a moment.”
“Of course.”
He made his way across the crowd, and she lost him in the sea of people. What was that about? A ripple of discomfort ran down her spine, but she sipped her champagne and moved slowly with the pace of the line, subtly people watching and admiring the pretty dresses and nice suits to keep her mind occupied.
“Excuse me, you’re E.J. Breene, aren’t you?”
Kora’s fingers loosened around the glass. She nearly dropped it but managed to hold on. Champagne sloshed over the side and onto her fingers. She turned stiffly to the quiet female voice behind her.
