Page 50 of Seductive Scoundrel

“I’m sure you do. Women like you always make it a point to know the people who are anyones.”

A pink hue tints Gwynne’s face. “Who did you say you are?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I didn’t. But like you said, if I was anyone, you’d already know me. Dean, let’s go get another drink, it’s stifling in here.”

“Good idea, beautiful.” He nods at Gwynne without making eye contact – I guess he subscribes to the same theory as I do about engaging wild animals. “Enjoy the rest of your evening.” He takes my hand and starts to lead us away as anger pulsates from Gwynne.

“I’m the best you’ve ever had, McCormick,” she hisses. “That you’lleverhave. You’ll be back and you’ll be groveling,” she promises as we move further away.

The temptation to flip her off is strong, but knowing that she’s watching me walk away with Dean helps to hold the impulse in check. I’m willing to bet he’s one of the very few, if not the only, man who’s ever turned her down.

I’m guessing that being seen with her would be more socially advantageous than being seen with me, but Dean clearly doesn’t care. He’s here because he believes in the cause and loves his mother, not for social status.

And I love him for it.

“Well, she’s fun,” I comment when we’re out of earshot.

Laughter pours from Dean’s mouth and he turns me towards him. “That’s one way to put it. You handled yourself amazingly well. She was baiting you, but you never fell for it. How does a girl from Kansas know how to handle a treat like Gwynne?”

My lips pull up at his compliment. Something about pleasing this man fills me with absolute glee – it’s odd and a bit disturbing. “Unfortunately, there are Gwynnes everywhere – even in Kansas.”

“I guess that’s true. Where exactly would an auditor run into a social-climbing, status hungry princess?”

The breath catches in my throat for a second. I don’t want to discuss my relationship with Senator Wentworth. I just want to leave my past in the past. But I also don’t want to lie to him. I’ve done enough of that already – poor Wally.

“I dated a guy who’s dated a Gwynne,” I reply. “She was a treat, too.”

That’s the truth – just a small, easily digestible slice of it.

He studies my face for a moment. “Hmmm.”

“So, how about that drink?”

“Sure,” he agrees, and although I realize he’s not straight out buying it, I’m thankful he’s letting the subject drop.

* * *

“Are you ready to go?”Dean finally asks after we’ve made another round through the ballroom, chit-chatting with Gwynne’s version of the who’s who.

The truth is that I’ve been ready to go for hours. Although Dean is a way better date than Kyle ever was, these fundraiser events are always a bit painful. Making polite chit-chat with people I’ll never see again when I could be spending alone time with Dean is torture.

“Whenever you are. It’s been a lovely evening.”

A knowing smile pulls at his lips, and I want nothing more than to taste them – but I doubt Dean makes public displays of affection his norm. He looked as startled as I felt after that kiss earlier.

He’s the complete opposite of Kyle and most of the people here. Dean goes out of his way to avoid cameras, press, and accolades, whereas they crave it. Even when he made an obligatory speech to accompany his sizeable donation, it was short and matter of fact without revealing anything about the man speaking the words.

“I wouldn’t exactly describe this evening as lovely, although spending it with you by my side has made it tolerable.”

He bends down, placing a kiss on my forehead even though we’re not standing by a dark bar this time – we’re front and center of the room. That simple action feels more intimate than anything we’ve shared so far.

It leaves me shaking inside because I want to wrap my arms around him and melt into his strong chest – which is wrong, so wrong. The lines are starting to blur between what I want and what we’ve agreed on.

As if he can read my mind, Dean takes a step back, creating space between us.

“I’m just going to visit the washroom before we leave,” I say.

I need a few seconds to pull myself together before being alone with Dean. The last thing either of us needs is for my stupid emotions to ruin the evening. I’ve been looking forward to spending the night with Mr. Big for days, and I don’t intend to blow it.

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