‘My mother...’
She turned to face him slowly, her features softening, her voice whisper-like. ‘Does she ever call?’
‘No.’
She stepped forward, her hand curving over his arm. ‘You’d best take it. I’ll wait.’
CHAPTER TWELVE
‘ARE YOU READY for this?’
Daniel turned to look at her across the back seat of his limo as he posed the question, his eyes drinking in every exquisite detail, and something inside him swelled, his collar suddenly too tight for the weird constriction taking up camp.
‘Yes,’ she said softly, her focus on the passing outside world, her body poised elegantly.
He’d seen her professional, casual, naked even, but tonight, tonight he got to see her glammed up. The sparkling silver dress with its shoestring straps accentuated the delicate curve to her shoulders and collarbone, the low-dipped V at the front framed her slight curves to perfection and it glided effortlessly to the floor where her silver stilettos left her dainty toes on display.
And yes, he desired her, but, more than that, there was a sense of pride, a feeling of excitement that soon the world would know to whom he was attached and this time he would welcome it. Not because of the negativity it would spark, but because he wanted them to know she was his.
And he hoped that after tonight, after he got her back to his place and spilled his all, she would agree to be just that.
She chose that moment to meet his eye, a nervous little glimmer in her dusky greys as they shone out amidst the smoky halo of her make-up, and his heart pulsed in his chest, his feelings for her blooming out of his control.
She wet her soft pink lips and looked back to the window, her hand dropping to rest on the black leather seat between them and he reached out, lacing his fingers through hers. Was she nervous about the event, the press or him? No matter, she had him. He gave her a gentle squeeze of encouragement and she mimicked his move, her mutual response warming him through. This felt so right, so perfect.
She turned to him again, her eyes hesitant. ‘You can tell me to mind my own business, but did you catch up with your brother after your mother called about his wife?’
His heart stilled in his chest, the tension instinctive and short-lived as he remembered just how things had been left that day. How much better they’d been left.
‘Briefly, she’s been rushed into hospital with severe preeclampsia. They’re going to have to deliver the baby early.’
‘I don’t know much about pregnancy, but that doesn’t sound good.’
‘He didn’t sound good either, but both her and the baby are in the best place with the best medical team they can get.’
‘You sound like you know that for a fact.’
‘I made sure of it.’
She gave a soft laugh. ‘I am so glad you spoke to t
hem.’
He met her eye, his heart constricting in his chest. ‘Me too.’
He wanted to tell her it was thanks to her. Wanted to lay all manner of things at her feet but they were out of time. The car nudged to a gentle stop, outside people milled, but he was barely aware of anyone save her. He gave her hand another squeeze and looked to the door as Peters arrived to open it.
There was a smattering of reporters and photographers, not the kind he was used to, but as soon as they spied him stepping out the clicks started up anyway, a hushed frenzy rippling down the pavement as they no doubt spied their unintentional jackpot. No one yelled at him, though. There was no abuse, and no one quizzed, Who’s the lucky lady this time? or How long do you give this one? and so on. For that he had to be grateful, but still his hand left hers to sweep around her waist as she stood, drawing her close.
Possession warmed his core, compounded by the smile she sent up at him. ‘Are you ready for this?’
She’d returned his question, but it felt loaded with meaning and his response came easy. ‘Never been more so.’
She made a small sound in the back of her throat, her head turning to sweep the pavement and he found his eyes fixed on her, unable to move. She was stunning, all graceful and calm, and he thought his ribs might crack with the ballooning force deep inside. ‘You look stunning tonight,’ he murmured, pressing a kiss to her brow and ignoring the distant clicks.
‘So do you,’ she said softly, a warmth in her returning gaze.
Together they crossed the small pavement and headed through the entrance where a welcoming party greeted them, their fascination with his presence more than evident. But he took a back seat, playing the perfect date. Following her cue, talking to guests she chose to speak to and relaxing into it, a sense of calm befalling him, a sense of belonging at her side.