People who had earlier been complaining to her now came up to offer their congratulations on a well-planned event. Liam was attentive and supportive, his arm around her when they were speaking with others, listening exclusively to her when alone. Other women tried to catch his eye, or interrupt them, and although polite and friendly he never gave a hint of wanting to be with anyone else. By the time dessert was served, Lorelei admitted to herself that for good or bad she was falling heart over reason in love with him.
…
Liam shifted in his seat. The evening was interminable and if he had to smile at one more inane comment or lame joke he might explode. The only thing that made the whole affair bearable was Lorelei. She’d done an amazing job organizing the event and he was pleased to see her efforts and talent were being acknowledged. But more important, thank God, no one had recognized him, yet. A few titans of industry he knew were there, but without his longer hair, beard, and mustache they hadn’t connected him to IWC Security. Besides, no one who knew him would expect him to attend a charity event for sick children. Send a donation maybe, but actually go? It was outside his comfort zone, or at least it had been until he met Lorelei.
A waiter put a plate of cake in front of him and refilled his coffee cup. He didn’t want to eat anymore; he just wanted to get out of there and explore the tantalizing glimpses of skin exposed by Lorelei’s dress. Reaching under the table, he ran a finger up her thigh, allowing it to go an inch beyond the slit. Encountering the lacy top of a stocking, he sucked in a breath. Damn. He shifted uncomfortably in his chair, wishing the boring Chairman would shut up and let them get out of here.
“How long do you have to stay?” he whispered in Lorelei’s ear, taking the time to inhale her evocative scent.
“Until eleven. That’s when the event is scheduled to wrap up. After that any stragglers are on their own. You can leave any time…”
“I’m not leaving here without you. Every man in this room tonight wants to take you home. No way I’m going to give one of them the opportunity.”
She smiled at him and he caught his breath. Somewhere in the past two weeks things had shifted in his life. Time with Lorelei was no longer just about finishing his brother’s book. The novel was three or four chapters from completion. Then he’d have to transition from regular guy Liam to himself. He only hoped Lorelei would be able to make the shift with him. He couldn’t risk telling her now and altering their relationship. If she left him he’d never finish the book, and he’d promised Marcus.
Finally, the speeches were over and the waiters began clearing the last of the dishes. Lorelei’s phone vibrated on the table. She picked it up and leaned toward him and whispered, “Excuse me. I need to take this.”
He watched her walk away, noting the number of male heads that followed her progress from the room. With the phone clutched to her ear she seemed oblivious to the stares that accompanied her departure. How could a woman be so beautiful and so unaware of it at the same time?
He was still contemplating Lorelei’s lack of narcissism when a round man in an ill-fitting tuxedo occupied her chair. Liam turned to greet the newcomer, but his smile died on his lips. Sitting in Lorelei’s chair was Gerald Burkow, CEO of Frampton Tech.
“William Manning, not used to seeing you at these things. The evening just got interesting. My wife forces me to come. She likes to get all dressed up, and attending a charity event gives her the warm fuzzies. What are you doing here?”
His mouth went dry and he had to take a swallow of water before he could answer. “I’m here with the charity’s Event Director. It’s good to see you, Gerald. How about I get my secretary to call yours to arrange a lunch? Now’s not really the time to talk business.”
Gerald’s face fell. “I guess not. It’s good to see you. I heard about your brother. You have my sympathy.”
“Thanks. If you’ll excuse me, Lorelei is back and I want to make sure there’s no problem.”
Liam made a quick exit and strode toward his date, hoping she hadn’t witnessed the discussion.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, the band that’s supposed to play for the dancing is running late. They say their van broke down. I have a feeling it may be band-speak for ‘we’re trying to sober up the drummer.’ They should be here in half an hour. I’ve asked the pianist to play again and hopefully everyone will want to freshen up or get another drink in the interim and no one will notice the lull in activities.”
“It’ll be fine,” Liam said.
Sure enough, the majority of ladies headed for the washrooms and the gentlemen toward the bar. Liam itched to leave, but putting his arm around Lorelei, he headed toward the open doors to the terrace. Before they were halfway across the room his phone vibrated in his pocket.
“Sweetheart, my phone has been buzzing for the past half hour. Can you excuse me for a moment while I check my messages? I have to make sure the project I’ve been working on hasn’t fallen apart.”
“Don’t worry. I want to check the silent auction to see if we’re anywhere close to our fundraising target. Go, make your calls. I’ll meet you by the dance floor in a few minutes.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek before veering off to a table across the room.
Liam watched her for a moment, enjoying the sway of her hips as she walked away. Another couple of hours and her hips would be moving in a different direction. His rule about no sex be damned; he was only a man, he couldn’t stop the inevitable.
He pulled out his phone and listened to his voicemails. Several of those he’d met earlier in the evening waved at him or nodded as he passed. They were the kind of people who had bullied him in school, beautiful people who acknowledged only those who shared the same social standing.
He made his way out to the far end of the terrace and dialed the number of the last caller.
Ten minutes later, Liam ran a weary hand over his eyes. Was it only nine thirty? He contemplated asking Lorelei for her key, going upstairs, and having a quick nap before she finished for the evening. Things had gone askew again in Washington, but he’d dispatched David to deal with it. His friend was always asking about the type of work he did for the government; maybe if he realized how boring it was, he wouldn’t be envious anymore.
…
Lorelei wiggled her shoulders, hoping to relieve some of the tension. What she needed was a good massage, and she knew exactly whose hands she wanted on her. She closed her eyes for a moment and fantasized about unbuttoning those little black studs on Liam’s shirtfront. Spreading the fabric wide and letting her hands rove over his muscles. She’d seen him flex in a T-shirt, she knew they were there, and it was time she got her hands on them.