“Then I’ll evade Cam’s question. I can’t lie to him, I’d hate that. But this really is kind of a work thing, isn’t it? You’re going to Charleston to help Daniel win his family over. If that isn’t work, I don’t know what is.”
“Of course it’s
work.” Becca nodded, trying to reassure her.
“So, what are you wearing to the ball?”
“I don’t know. Daniel offered to get me a dress, but that’s weird. I was going to call Laura this afternoon and see if she had anything suitable.” Laura’s Dress Shop was the favorite haunt of the ladies in Hartson’s Creek. Though most of her clothing was casual, she had some formal wear in the back.
“You don’t need to do that. I have a dress from that charity evening I went to with Cam a few months ago. It’ll fit you. I even have matching shoes. I’ll sneak them out to my car while he’s not looking.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yep.” Mia nodded with a smile. “Daniel Carter won’t know what’s hit him.”
It was weird, but Becca liked the sound of that.
Chapter Eighteen
“I’ll pick you up at ten tomorrow morning,” Daniel murmured. Becca froze where she was bending over to check the still, her heart rattling against her chest at the sound of his voice. She exhaled softly and turned to look at him.
He was wearing a pale blue shirt, unbuttoned at the neck as always, tucked into navy pants that skimmed his slim hips and hugged his thighs. His arm muscles looked bigger than she remembered, or maybe his shirt sleeves were tighter. He also smelled like heaven in human form. She swallowed hard, pulling her gaze away.
“I’ll drive myself,” she told him. It was almost six. They were probably the only two people left in the distillery right now. “What time do you want me there?”
Daniel frowned. “Why would you drive yourself? I’m going the same way.”
“Because by the time we get to Charleston, one of us is likely to end up dead.” She kept her voice light, but she meant it. The atmosphere between them was getting thicker every day. It felt as though it had a life of its own. It buzzed and hissed and made her body ache for things she shouldn’t want.
He’d been walking through the still room a lot these past few days. It was amazing how long they could stare at each other silently before he turned to do whatever he came in for.
His eyes crinkled with amusement. “Will we be dead from murder, or from something else?”
“Either. Both. I just don’t think we should risk it. What time should I get there?”
He didn’t look pleased. But she needed the drive to center herself. It was one night, and it was all pretend. She needed to get used to that.
“Can you arrive by three? I’ll send you the address.”
“It’s okay, your mother already sent it to me.”
Daniel gave her a sidelong glance. “You’ve spoken with my mother?”
Becca managed not to smile. “Extensively. I can’t believe you let her show your naked baby photos to strangers. Especially when you were such an ugly kid.”
His lips twitched. “I was a beautiful baby. Everybody says so.”
A lick of flame rushed through her blood. “It’s weird how looks change as we get older. Some people grow into their beauty and some…” She gave a dramatic sigh, and patted his rock hard bicep. “At least you have your memories.”
His muscle flexed beneath her palm. It made her feel sweaty. An image of him flashed through her mind, naked above her, his arms on either side, his biceps tense and sinewy as he slowly moved inside her…
“Becca?”
She blinked back to reality. “Sorry, I missed that.”
He gave her a cocky smile, as though he knew exactly where her thoughts had been. “I asked you about your dress. You haven’t sent me the receipt for it.”
“I didn’t buy one. I figure a skirt and blouse will be okay, right?”