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.”I’m not crazy enough to think I’m in competition with her dead husband or anything.Still, her admission pushes me forward.Setting my hands on her shoulders, I pull her back from the stove.She drops the wooden spoon she was using on the counter and turns in my arms.Her deep green eyes stare up at me with concern.“What’s wrong, Rochlan?”She’s so serious all of a sudden.Maybe she doesn’t want me there.Truth, give her truth.“I want to take you.”She lets out a soft sigh.“Why? You can’t possibly be jealous of Ross.You’ve met him.”Cupping her cheeks with my hands, I draw her gaze up to meet mine.“It’s not a jealousy thing.You’ve been so agreeable about spending time doing stuff with me, it’s only fair I return the favor.”Confusion clouds her pretty face, and she looks down at the floor.“That’s not our deal.I knew your role as President meant I’d have to spend time at the club.You were upfront with me that you didn’t do suits, ties, and schmoozing.I agreed it was okay.I have no right to complain about it now.”Christ, how she’s twisting the knife in my heart, and she doesn’t even realize it.Throwing my words back at me without any venom.She’s completely honest and serious.“You’re not asking me, sweetheart.I’m offering.I should do this for you.”She glances up, and I get a glimpse of cautious optimism that cements my decision.“It’s at this stupid fancy-pants place.You’ll hate it.”“Is that your way of asking me if I own a suit?” I tease.The corners of her mouth twitch up.“No.”“Are you embarrassed to introduce me to your colleagues?”Tears shimmer in her eyes, and I want to punch myself.She places her hand on my chest.“No.Please don’t ever think that.”I should have kept that thought to myself.My girl’s not like that.She’s proved it over and over again.“You worried your judge friend won’t want me there because of my record?”She tilts her head as if the thought never occurred to her, and a slight frown darkens her face.“No.It’s not like they’re going to do a background check at the door.”“You gonna be embarrassed if I can’t cover all my ink?”She tilts her head to the side, and a hint of a naughty smile curves her lips.“No.It’s sexy, since I’ll be the only one there who gets to see the full picture.”Well, doesn’t that answer excite the fuck outta me.Grasping her hand from my chest, I brush my fingers over her knuckles.“What time should I pick you up?”The second she opens the door Thursday night, I’m thrilled I offered to do this.Her sharp intake of breath and wide eyes as she takes me in is worth the discomfort I’m feeling in the stiff, preppy getup.I’m equally appreciative of her form-fitting navy dress and classy updo.The high heels accentuate her shapely legs, and I’m ridiculously turned on watching her hips sway as she glides over to my SUV.I relish the contrast between this sexy, elegant woman about to mingle with a bunch of uptight lawyers, and the breathy sex kitten I can turn her into when we’re alone.Although it’s sexy as fuck, the tight skirt means she can’t quite make it up into my vehicle.Fine with me.It gives me the opportunity to wrap my hands around her waist and give her a boost.She breaks into giggles as she smooths her skirt down.Now that I’ve had my hands on her, I want to push that skirt up around her thighs and fuck the living fuck out of her.Instead, like the good escort I plan to be tonight, I fire up the truck and back it down her long driveway.No matter how obsessed I’ve been with Hope since the day we met, if you’d told me two years ago I’d be voluntarily throwing on a suit and escorting her to a political fundraiser for a city court judge, I would have knocked you the fuck out.But here I am.Happy as fuck.The closer we get to the restaurant, the more nervous she seems.“Babe, you okay?”She grasps my hand, holding it tight.“It’s not you.Please don’t think that.I always get nervous going to these things.I hate them.”Lacing my fingers with hers, we hold hands until I have to put the truck in park.I hand over the keys to the valet and help her down.“Did I tell you how beautiful you are tonight?”Her lashes flutter as she drops her gaze.“No.”“Then I’m an asshole.You’re gorgeous, and I’m a lucky bastard to have you on my arm.”Mara meets us almost right away, which seems to help Hope relax a notch.I vaguely remember meeting Mara before.Except for her slightly more generous curves and shorter stature, she and Hope could be sisters.Mara has the same fair coloring, although her hair is a few shades lighter.Squeezing Hope tight, she starts chattering a mile a minute.“I’m so, so happy to see you guys.I hate, hate, hate these things.”Hope’s mouth curves into a smile.“I know.”“Tell me the truth, Hope.Does this dress look okay?”My gaze drifts over the clingy white garment splashed with bright red roses.More than okay.She’s quite stunning, actually.But no one asked for my opinion, so I keep it to myself [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]