Chapter 212 Chapter 212
Chapter 212 Chapter 212
He shook his head. “I won’t miss an opportunity to be with you, Wynter.”
“Even if I’m searching for your future wife?”
“Even if.”
Lucas cut the car engine and jogged around the front of the vehicle to walk her to the porch.
“You don’t need to be such a gentleman.”
Once she turned the knob, he followed her inside her small, cluttered condo. Her place was much different than his, and he liked its coziness.
He closed the door behind them, then backed her against it. “There was nothing gentlemanly in my intent.”
“Lucas…” Her pretty eyes widened as he leaned in toward her.
Her earlier words had been carefully calculated to build an emotional wall between them. Every brick she’d placed, he’d rip out.
He kissed her hard like he’d been wanting to, plundering and possessing as he simultaneously inserted a hand between her legs to stroke her pussy.
Before she could come, he stopped what he was doing and stepped back, leaving her breathless, her palm to her chest.
“I will see you soon, Wynter. And in the meantime, don’t masturbate.” He dug a hand into her long hair. “You’ll confess it to me if you do.”
She shook her head, tugging against the strands he held and making her wince.
“Shall we bet, little one?”
Her mouth parted a fraction of an inch.
“Think of me as you plan our wedding.” Gently he unfisted her hair, then left the house, planning his next move.
She might not like it. He couldn’t say he cared.
Wynter joined Hope and the rest of the Prestige associates in the corner of a gorgeous patio at a popular midtown restaurant. Since it was four o’clock on Friday and presumably people would have dinner later, the chef had arranged for light appetizers, and each attendee would receive two drink coupons upon check in.
“Miriam, what’s our final count on guests?”
“About fifty.”
Hope nodded. “I’ll have three clients here.”
Tony adjusted his tie with the bright green palm trees on it. “Two for me.”
“Three.” Skyler responded after a quick dash to the dessert tray for a brownie.
“And Wynter?”
“I was hoping Anika would be here, but she’s tied up.” In a show of faith, Hope had given Wynter a second client. “As for Lucas…” She sighed. Though they hadn’t seen each other since Galveston, he’d kept her on edge.
Every day he asked if she’d had an orgasm and reminded her not to sneak one without permission. And he promised he’d make it worth her while when they went out next.
Because of his mindfucks, sleep had been an elusive companion. He haunted her dreams as well as her fantasies.
“As for Lucas…?” Hope prompted.
“Sorry.” The man was always in her thoughts, distracting her. “He didn’t RSVP.” But he also hadn’t sent his regrets.
“Want one of my drink coupons?” Skyler grinned, extending a red ticket toward Wynter.
She laughed. “Anyone else have extra?”
Tonight’s mixer was scheduled to last for two hours. These events were less formal than meet and greets. The guests were people who Hope had met at various functions but who had not hired Prestige. Miriam and the company’s part-timers prescreened everyone in attendance to be sure there weren’t any unpleasant surprises.
Because she had no specific clients here tonight, Wynter’s job was to mingle, facilitate introductions, lookout for issues, and backup her teammates.
Now if she could just stop looking toward the entrance to see if Lucas had arrived…not that she needed to check. When it came to him, all of her senses lived on hyperalert, and her nerve endings flared to life when he was near.
Most of the guests had left, and Hope was wrapping up with her last client when the tiny hairs on the back of Wynter’s neck stirred. She froze.
Then when her heart rate was under control, she turned to face the man who dominated her body with the same force he did her brain.
Lucas’s shoulders were propped against the wall with his arms folded. Tonight he was more formal than ever in a well-tailored business suit.
Though many women interestedly looked in his direction and a couple of conversations stopped, his gaze was focused on Wynter and only her.
Without him using a single gesture or speaking her name, she went to him, drawn as surely as a moth embracing its demise as it fluttered toward a flame.
“I see my match is still here.”
Wishing the heat that rushed to her cheeks wasn’t betraying her, she looked at him. “For it to be a match, both people have to agree.”
“That’s right.” He grinned, and there was a trace of mockery on his face. “Monday night proved we have no chemistry.”
Memories of their kisses, including the most intimate kind, clawed at her again.
“I didn’t want you driving home alone this late.”
It was barely six, almost two hours before it would be dark.
“Another part of marriage is having someone to count on, share life’s burdens.”
Right now that sounded delicious. “I also assume you’re hungry.”
“Thanks, but I have leftovers in the fridge.”
“I’ll take that as a yes, you would enjoy an actual meal.”
“We’re not dating.” Did he hear any of her protests?
“I took the liberty of making us reservations. Our table is ready if you are.”
With a smile, Hope approached, interrupting the beginning of their argument. “Lucas. We’re so very glad you made it.”
“How are you, Hope? Looks like another successful event. Congratulations.” They hugged.
“However nice it is to see you, I came to collect Wynter.”
Exasperated, she closed her eyes. It was one thing for him to have told Hope that he wanted Wynter, but to make a claim so publicly was beyond the beyond.
“You should have used that drink ticket when you had the chance.” Skyler grinned as she joined the small group.