Page 27 of Teased By My Roommate

LILA

“After we're announced, I won't be touching you, other than taking your arm, unless we're dancing," Hawk said.

My eyes rolled automatically. "Sounds like you've been talking to my mother. "

"No. I've been studying her blog," he explained.

I blinked in surprise. "Really?"

"Yes. Did you know, for example, that once a couple are officially together, it is the man's decision where they should live? Well, I decide that we should live anywhere you like." His smirk was both sexy and adorable. "I'm going to weaponize every stupid declaration she's made on that blog, and we are going to use it to our advantage."

The car pulled into a lavish country club, and Hawk slipped out first, then offered his hand.

Although my heart leapt from his touch, it sank again from the reality of what was happening. "All of that crap only applies if you're in the circles she approves of," I said sadly.

Hawk's eyes blazed as his mouth dipped to my ear. "Baby, I'm Michael Kingston. As in the Fernbrook Kingstons."

My mouth fell open in shock for a full ten seconds, then my gasp made him chuckle. "That means your mother…is Doris Ashby-Kingston?"

"That's her. The woman your mother deems to be 'the highest authority in matters of style and taste'. So I assume that I'm…worthy?"

My head was spinning. Doris Ashby-Kingston was several steps higher than Mom on her bizarre social ladder. She'd been dying to create ways even to meet the woman.

"If the doorman weren't staring at us, I would kiss you right now," I whispered. "Then I would slap you. How could you keep something like that from me?"

His gorgeous eyes softened. "After you expressed such contempt for that world, I was afraid to tell you. Everything between us was going so fast. I didn't know if you could take that bit of information quite yet."

His hand slipped around my waist. "Even though you took another bit of…information…from me quite well. And will again tonight, if I’m lucky."

Giggling, I turned my head so that the doorman couldn't see my cheeks flaming. "You can't say things like that," I whispered.

"You love it," he said. "You love that I'm your filthy, uncontrollable man."

"Maybe a bit," I said, pulling myself together.

A screech of tires snapped our attention to the long driveway, where a bright green sports car had just pulled a clumsy turn toward us.

Hawk's lips grazed my ear. "I love you, Lila. You're the only woman I would do this for. It's going to be spectacular."

Before I could respond, he took my arm and marched us inside, straight into the world of exquisite marble floors, grand crystal chandeliers, and constant prying eyes.

All the stuffy, traditional garbage that made me slightly queasy. Yet this time it was temporary, and on our terms.

As our names were announced and we entered the room, I was filled with a strange sense of calm. Hawk knew this world, and seemed comfortable in it. He could take control. Which he did as we circled the room, expertly greeting people we had barely heard of as if they were old friends.

When we finally managed to grab a glass of champagne and retreat to a corner, Hawk grinned. "You're a natural at this. I'm sorry, I know that's not what you want to hear."

Leaning closer, I whispered, "It actually wasn't even my best work. I'm a bit distracted. "

"Really?" he grinned, licking his lips. "By what?"

Looking straight into his eyes, I murmured, "I was wondering whether it would feel better if I was on top tonight, or maybe if I should bend over the back of the couch and you could take me from behind."

Hawk choked a sputtering laugh, then he took a sip of champagne while shaking his head. "Damn, baby."

"What's wrong?" I asked innocently. "You don't like it when I tease you back?"

He reached out to trace a finger surreptitiously down my spine. "I think you know how much I like it."

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