Page 76 of Reckless Desire

“Okay, Syd.” Caro lets go and returns to her desk. “I’ll work on my magazine until dinner is ready.”

We are dismissed. I nudge Sydney toward the door, my hand on the small of her back. The touch, the gesture, suddenly represents more than before. It’s not just my hand on her body—which is a turn-on—it’s a sign of a new beginning. New depth in our intimacy.

She is a part of my life now. And she might not be on board with the commitment fully, but I’ll do everything in my power to get her there.

I close the door behind me and crush my lips against hers. Her breath catches, but she parts her lips for me.

Inviting me.

Welcoming me.

Accepting us.

“I need a drink,” we both say at the same time.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Sydney

The dress London sent me this year is over the top. She usually rents me an elegant but simple black dress. This year, a stunning dress in green that matches my eyes was delivered.

The shimmering top with a simple cowl neckline hugs my torso. From my waist the dress fans out in wafting chiffon pleats into a voluminous maxi skirt. I love it. I wish it was mine. Not that I have anywhere else to wear it, but a girl can enjoy a vain moment here and there.

I put on a set of pearls I have from my mom. I style my hair down in loose waves and apply only a little natural makeup. If I knew about the dress ahead of time, I’d have splurged on a hair and makeup artist.

As I check the mirror, I have to remind myself that I’ll be working tonight. Making sure everyone is where they need to be in time for the speeches, ushering guests to their tables and running around taking care of a zillion details.

I should really get a cab to make sure I’m there on time for London’s briefing before anyone else arrives. As I pick up my phone to call the car, I find a text from London from about an hour ago. I must have missed the chime when I was in the shower.

London: A car will wait for you downstairs at 7 pm. See you later. L.

That makes no sense. First, she’s never sent a car for me. It would be a waste of resources if paid for by the foundation and I’d never accept something like that from her. Also, seven o’clock? That gives us no time to go over things with her assistant, so I don’t have to bother her with every detail during the event.

I dial Lo’s number, but there is no answer. Of course, she’s too busy with the last-minute preparations. But the phone rings back almost immediately.

“Lo, what the heck? Why are you sending a car and why so late?”

“Hello, Sydney.” Ashley, Lo’s assistant, clears her throat. “London is not available right now, but she asked me to reassure you that everything is right on schedule and you should take the car sent for you.”

“But I won’t have time to get a brief from you.” I sit down on my sofa, the skirt gathering around me. I must look like a jilted princess.

“I’m sure London knows what she’s doing.”

“But—”

“Sorry, Sydney, I really have to go. I’ll see you later.” She hangs up.

This is weird. I check the clock on my phone, deflated. I spend the next two hours plopped on the sofa, eating chips and drinking a ton of water to flush the salt. As I finally get ready to leave the house, someone knocks.

I open the door, slightly annoyed by the untimely intrusion, and meet Hunter’s eyes. Or his doppelgänger. Hunter is with Caro tonight and he doesn’t wear a tux. But the man in front of me is devilishly sexy in his black tie. He wears it as a second skin, along with a devastating, handsome grin on his face.

I blink a few times, but there is no doubt he’s there. “Hi?” I squeal, my mind trying to reconcile the situation. I’m in a gown, he’s in a tux. But where ishegoing?

“Would you do me the honor and join me as my guest at this year’s leukemia fundraiser?”

I swallow hard. “You have tickets? Two tickets? Hunter, they are ten thousand dollars each.” I shake my head as if that would somehow rearrange the confusion into understanding.

“I know how much they are. I bought two of them.” He puts his hands into his pockets. The casual gesture is at odds with his formal attire and somehow the contrast makes him even sexier.

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