Page 45 of Win My Heart

After tucking her suitcase away, I get her a flute of champagne at one of the three bars.

“What do you have to do in way of work once the guests start to arrive?” she asks after taking a sip.

“Not much. I need to mingle. I have a short list of folks I want to meet. You know, it’s all about connections.”

Her grin tells me she understands, and I guess if anyone else would, it would be her. “I bet you have to mingle and meet industry folks all the time at events.”

“Yeah, and it’s a little difficult for me. I’m kinda an introvert, but I’m a people person as well, so it gets exhausting.”

Frowning, I worry I’ve given her anxiety about tonight. “You don’t need to stick with me tonight. You can do your own thing, if that makes it easier.” Instantly, I’m bummed at the prospect of not having her by my side, but I want her to enjoy herself.

She places her hand on my arm, smiling softly at me. “No way. I was hoping I’d get to spend time with you. I was worried you would have to work all night. Really, I was prepared to help you.”

Leaning back, I study her. “You would have worked the event instead of attending it?” I don’t believe it for a second.

She crosses her heart. “One hundred percent, Wade. I came for you. The event is just a bonus.”

Without thought, not caring about where we’re standing, I lean in, slip my finger under her chin, and angle her face toward me. “You really are da bomb.” I grin down at her and she giggles.

“I really am,” she says on a barely there breath.

That’s when I cover her lips in a kiss. I know I can’t take this as far as I want to, but I’ve wanted to kiss her since she stepped out of the car.

Hell, I’ve wanted to kiss her since the last time I saw her, when I left her apartment a week ago. I keep the kiss PG and slowly pull back. Her eyes flutter open, and she blinks away the lust-filled haze that just consumed us.

Quickly enough, her eyes dart around the space as if just remembering we’re in public. Her checks flush when she whispers, “Wade, did you forget where we are?”

I chuckle but take a small step back. I’m dangerously close to kissing her again. “No, Benny, I just don’t care. No one here will either.”

Her nose scrunches for a moment before her face smooths. She’s wearing makeup, something she doesn’t always do. It’s simple and natural, but she looks gorgeous either way.

Out of nowhere, my chest tightens at the thought of someone else kissing her the way I just did. I’ve never been a jealous man, until her. Knowing she’ll be in my bed tonight causes my chest to puff like I’m a damn peacock, so I push the thoughts of jealousy out of my head.

She takes a large gulp of what’s left of the bubbly in her flute just as one of the event staff catches my eye. He tells me that guests are arriving, so that’s my cue to get back into business mode. More like put my schmoozing hat on and remove my horny-like-a-fucking-madman hat for a while.

I take her empty glass and place it on an empty tray for such. With her hand in mine, I show her around the rest of the event space, promising we’ll spend more time looking at the silent auction room.

I knew this event was going to be a hit, but add in the fact that she’s here, by my side, and it takes the fucking cake.

* * *

Not even thirty minutes into the event, the place is hopping. The star-studded crowd mingles around the large three-room event space. Moving between the silent auction room, the dining room, where dinner will take place soon, and the open floor space for mingling and dancing.

A couple of popular up-and-coming bands will play later in the evening. The performances will be streamed live on a few social media sites, allowing viewers to donate to the fundraising efforts. It’s going to be a great new tool to increase donations. The stars, Jude Acklin and Jace Peddlin, will introduce the bands, so that pulls in even more viewers.

I’ve been able to mingle with some of the attendees, touch base with a few of the Generous Hearts board members, introducing Bernadette along the way.

She excuses herself to go to the restroom. She’s had two glasses of champagne, and while she’s slightly buzzed, dinner is much needed. A server with a tray of champagne walks by, a bit fancier then I had imagined for this crowd, but keeping the champagne flowing keeps the money rolling in. Standing a few feet away, I make eye contact with a man around my age as he grabs two drinks. His reddish-brown hair is slicked back, and he’s rocking the whole hipster vibe with his black rectangle glasses and trimmed short beard.

He nods at me, and I take the opportunity to introduce myself. I don’t recognize him, but it doesn’t matter.

“Hey, man. Enjoying the event so far?” I push my free hand into my pocket, relaxing a bit.

“Oh, yeah. This is great. Most of the events I usually go to require one of those STAFF shirts and random heavy lifting.” The corner of his mouth curls upward, showing me he doesn’t mind, but now I’m curious.

“I’m guessing you work with Fiction Convention?”

He nods with a grin. “Yeah, a contract specialist. I’m Easton Cole.” He reaches his hand out to me to shake mine.

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