Hutch was not in a good frame of mind to go to a party. He was horny and agitated and completely confused. Just when he thought he had things figured out, something happened. Either Simone pulled back, or he did. And now his parents, thanks to him, had weighed in on the situation. With a big ol’ negative.
He parked in Simone’s driveway and stared up at the house. The structure was attractive and neatly kept. Exactly like its owner. The golden brick with the mahogany shutters at the windows was modern and, at the same time, classic.
Fumbling to slide his phone into his pocket, he told himself that tonight was not the time for grand gestures. Tonight was mostly business for Simone. He was only her escort, not her boyfriend. In fact, this wasn’t some romantic date where the two of them would be all alone.
Two-thirds or more of Royal’s movers and shakers would be out in force tonight. Maybe they would come to show off their jewels and their trophy wives. Perhaps they really cared about the charity. Either way, the word of the evening was money...and lots of it.
Simone answered the door as soon as he knocked. He took a step backward, feeling a mule kick to the chest. She looked incredible.
“Hi, Hutch,” she said breathlessly. “Come on in. I’m almost ready. A phone call slowed me down.”
She was fluttering, nervous, her eyes not quite meeting his.
Without overthinking it, Hutch captured her wrist and gently reeled her in. “You look stunning, Simone.” He kissed her softly, keeping a tight check on his caveman instincts. Her lips were soft beneath his. Her hands landed on his shoulders. For a few breath-stealing moments, he lost himself in the kiss. He wanted to carry her up the stairs and lock the door.
His heart pounded, his entire body hard as iron. He wanted to take and take and take. The prospect of sharing her with hundreds of other people tonight was unappealing at best.
She wore a red dress designed to make a statement. Simone Parker was in the building. In his arms she felt fragile and small, though he knew she was anything but. Simone was smart and strong and determined. Having triplets would be extremely challenging, but he had no doubts about her ability to cope.
In the end, he had to force himself to release her and step back. Her silky black hair fell in soft waves about her shoulders. Her sapphire eyes, framed in dark lashes, sparkled.
Her grin was self-conscious. “I really do have to finish getting ready.”
He waved a hand. “Go. I’ll entertain myself down here.” He glanced at his watch. “You’d better hurry, though, if we’re supposed to be getting there early.”
Simone rolled her eyes. “I’m not the one who started that kiss.”
She disappeared before he could retaliate. With a smile on his face, he prowled the downstairs restlessly. Anticipation flooded his veins. He and Simone had things to discuss. Big things. Life-changing things. Maybe this time, they could rewrite the ending.
* * *
After the talk with Tess, Simone had begun to feel as if she finally had a handle on the mess that was her life. Seeing Hutch at her door just now in black tie knocked the wind out of her. He was so handsome, so brilliant, so unbelievably sexy. Why would a man like that want to tie himself to a woman like Simone? Nevertheless, she was going to give it a shot.
She had built her business on taking calculated risks. Hutch cared about her. The fact that he wanted her physically was irrefutable. The only question that remained was how he would respond if Simone asked for more.
Earlier, she had decided to break things off with Hutch, but that was the coward’s way out. Tonight, after the ball, she was going to lay her cards on the table. Love was a hard thing to offer outright, but maybe she owed him that. Above all, she was going to confess the truth. It would put her in a bad light, no doubt about it. Still, there was no hope for a future with Hutch unless she was completely honest.
After tweaking her hair one last time and applying a bold lipstick to match her dress, she eyed her reflection in the long mirror on the back of her closet door. Not too shabby. She placed her hand, palm flat, against her belly. Feeling the tiny bulge filled her with wonder and humility.
Despite everything she had done wrong in her life, here was a chance for a new start. More than anything else, she wanted to be a good mother to these three babies. Unlike her own upbringing, she was determined to be a hands-on parent. Though she would have to have help, professional or otherwise, she was going to be present.
A quick glance at the clock told her there was no time left to linger. Lifting her skirt in one hand, she made her way carefully down the stairs. Hutch stood at the bottom, waiting. She held up a hand. “No more kissing. I’m camera ready, as Naomi would say.”
His smile was wicked. “I can wait. Maybe.” He ran his thumb over her cheekbone. “Let’s just say I’m really looking forward to removing that dress in a few hours.”
“Hutch!”
She gaped at him.
He shrugged. “If you don’t want me to open the gift, you shouldn’t wrap it so nicely.”
They made it to the hotel in record time. Because they were early, traffic wasn’t bad yet. In the parking lot, Simone handed Hutch the rectangular box that had come in the mail. “These are our masks. Will you hang on to them for the moment?”
He grimaced, exhibiting the usual male reluctance for such things. “Sure.”
The following hour was taken up with a variety of last-minute responsibilities. While Hutch cooled his heels in the bar, Simone met with Naomi and Cecelia for one final, excited rundown. Everything had fallen into place perfectly.
At last, it was time to find Hutch and start enjoying the more personal portion of the evening. He had returned to the car in search of fresh air and his business card wallet. After a quick text to ascertain his whereabouts, she joined him there, relishing the moment of privacy inside the vehicle to catch her breath and collect her thoughts before the event began in earnest. “I missed you, my handsome doctor.”