by Marie Harte
The dress ended just below her knees, and her favorite stilettos accented her calves and the delicate arches of her feet—her best feature, in her opinion.
“Sad that I think my feet are the most attractive part of me,” she murmured to herself.
The doorbell saved her from any more nonsensical thoughts. She grabbed her small clutch and wrap and went to answer.
Rex appeared on the other side of the door wearing a tux. Holy crap, he looks amazing.
He gave her a slow study, lingering on her hips, breasts and mouth. Nothing subtle about his scrutiny, or the pleased smile that darkened his eyes to an inky black.
“Well, well, sugar. You clean up nice.” He stared again at her chest, and she wondered what he really thought, because the shy show of skin didn’t scream do me any more than her small home yelled I’m rich.
“Okay. Can we go now?”
He chuckled and stepped closer to her, which had her taking a step back. Before she knew it, he’d closed the door behind him and was looking around.
“Nice place.” He nodded. “Cozy, neat, obsessively organized.”
So she liked to stack her books and magazines by height and color. So what? Nat liked order. She believed that everything had its place. Nothing haphazard about her.
“I don’t think I’d say obsessively.”
He stroked her cheek, shocking her with the intimate gesture. “You wouldn’t. I would.” He placed a hand on her shoulder and squeezed, and she felt the heat of him through her thin dress and wrap. “You look gorgeous. Ready to go?”
She nodded, not sure how to respond to the compliment.
His satisfied grin annoyed her, and she decided to be overly effusive as well. “You’re pretty much a knockout yourself.”
“I know.”
She snorted, and he laughed, then crooked his elbow for her. “Shall we?”
“Why the hell not?” She put her hand on his arm and let him lead her from her home. After locking up, she followed him into his Beamer, not surprised to watch him drive with a quiet confidence that put her at ease.
“I’m really glad you decided to go with me tonight, Nat.” He didn’t watch her as he drove, and she appreciated his focus on the road. “Now I won’t have a nervous breakdown while avoiding my matchmaking parents.”
She studied his handsome profile, confused. “You don’t need anyone matchmaking for you. Why aren’t you already shacked up with some ex-cheerleader type with more breasts than brains?” That seemed more his type. Not that she’d paid too much attention to his press, but word was the man had dated every Double-D sized model in the greater Augusta area.
He gave her chest a slight glance and grinned. “I happen to like my women brainy first, busty second.”
“Yeah, right.”
“But I’m touched you’re so concerned about my type.” He turned in to the gala’s lot and pulled the car up to the valet. After exiting, he crossed to her side of the car and had to make do with shutting the door after her since she’d let herself out. “Couldn’t wait for me to do the gentlemanly thing, could you?”
“We Wielders take care of ourselves.”
“The commanding type, hmm?”
“You got it.”
But he smiled instead of accepting her unspoken dare. A take-charge kind of man like Rex would surely balk at the idea of following a woman’s orders. Too bad, really, because there was something about him, besides his looks, that struck her as a man she’d like once she got to know him.
As she walked beside him inside, she felt frail. He had her by a few inches, making him a bit over six feet. He didn’t seem imposing, yet he carried himself with the broad shoulders of a man used to getting his way. Confidence and intelligence made the package of Rex Samson positively delicious—a sentiment many of the other women in attendance apparently carried.
As they walked through the crowd, more than one guest gave Rex a onceover. He smiled pleasantly at everyone, the consummate gentleman, yet she thought a few of his smiles were warmer than others. And not all had been aimed at women.
Bemused at the brief fantasy of Rex and a male lover doing all sorts of wonderful things together, it took her a second to realize they’d reached the bar.
“What’ll you have?” he asked.
“A rich red wine would be nice.”
“Two,” Rex said to the bartender, then paid before she could reach for her money.
They walked to an empty spot at the edge of the gathering and sipped their drinks, watching the crowd.
She lifted her glass in a mock toast. “Thanks.”
“No problem. And don’t worry. I won’t expect you to work it off later.”
“Big of you.” After a moment, she felt the need to remind him, “But this isn’t a real date. It’s a social function between two people who have to be here. We just happen to be together.”
“Sure thing, sugar.” He grinned, and damn if he didn’t have a dimple.
This was going to be a long night.
“You know everyone here, don’t you?” he asked.
“Most of them. At one time or another they’ve come through the building to see the mayor. That or they wanted something from the office.”
“Tom says you’re very, very good at your job.”
“I am.” Said without conceit, but pride.
He smiled. “I like confidence in a woman.”
“Really?”
“Why the surprise?”
She frowned, considering him. “I don’t know. Most of the people the mayor considers friends are older, with old fashioned beliefs. I grew up in the Northeast before my parents moved down here. There’s a big difference between the North and the South. Hell, down here, they still think the Civil War is ongoing. And I know for a fact many guys still consider a woman’s place barefoot, pregnant and in the kitchen.”
“I’m down with in the kitchen. The rest is up to her.”
She shook her head, wondering how he made even vague insults amusing. “Very funny.”
“I thought so.”
They made small talk and met with various guests who stopped by for an introduction to Rex. Surprised by the number of people who wanted to talk to her as well, she hadn’t realized how much time had passed.
Rex tugged on her arm, his hand large, warm, and making her tingle. “Time for dinner, sugar. You ready to go in?”
She nodded, and as the large doors to the dining hall opened, she walked with him to their table.
Pleased when several couples she knew and liked sat with them, she relaxed for the first time that evening.
Derrick and his fiancée Sydney Fields sat next to them. Dylan, Derrick’s twin brother and Harper and Freddy’s lover, had brought Freddy with him. Harper, the lout, had managed to avoid the evening.
Sitting with the Warren twins made them a popular table as it was, and then Brian Goode joined them. The son of the respected but condescending Judge Brian Goode, Senior, Brian had turned out far different from his father. Though handsome and successful—like dear old dad—Brian also happened to be a nice guy. She liked his fiancée too. Faith Sumner seemed down-to-earth, not a spoiled bitch like some she could—
“Oh hell. Darcy Stanfield,” Rex said under his breath. In a louder voice, he added, “Good old Darcy. How nice to see you again.”
Next to him, Brian choked on his water.
Darcy came to stand behind Rex and placed a perfectly manicured hand on his shoulder. “Reginald. Brian.” She pointedly ignored Faith. “So nice to see you gentlemen.” She gave the Warrens a coquettish smile, then turned to Nat. “Why, hello. I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Darcy,” Rex introduced, “this is Natalie Wielder, the city’s urban planner.”
Darcy blinked, then smiled widely. “Oh. I’ve heard of you. You’re a friend of the
mayor’s son, Josh Jessup, aren’t you? Josh and I grew up together. He’s such a wonderful man.”
Then and there Nat knew the woman didn’t like her, was a vindictive twit, and didn’t have a single friend sitting at this table. “Nope. Wouldn’t call Josh a friend.”
“Oh? What would you call him, then?” Darcy asked with a calculating smile.
“I’d call him an asshole. To his face. So tell him if he wants another go at me to stop hiding behind your skirt and face me himself. Or should I write that down? You look confused.”
The woman gaped at Nat’s hostility, then turned on her heel and stormed away.
“Told you we should have brought garlic,” Faith whispered to Brian, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
The others laughed, even Nat. Then she turned to her date. “So…Reginald?”
Rex winced. “Don’t ask.”
“And aren’t your parents here? Why aren’t we sitting with them?” She enjoyed the misery on his face.
“Yeah, Reginald,” said Brian. “Why aren’t we?”
“Because I paid the party planner to sit me far away.” He winked at Nat. “I love ’em, but Momma plays hell with my love life.”
“What love life?” Brian chided.
“Well, if Nat’s altercation with Darcy doesn’t put me in immediate love, I don’t know what will,” Rex drawled, then winked at Nat.
The others started clapping. “To Nat,” Derrick toasted with a laugh. “And may I never find myself in Darcy’s place.”
Nat grabbed her wine and took a long drink. “I was right. This is going to be a long night.”
Chapter Four
Rex couldn’t help it. He thoroughly enjoyed himself. After her magnificent put-down aimed at Darcy’s fat head, Nat continued to entertain the table with her acerbic wit and spot-on accuracy when commenting on those around them.
She knew most of the guests in attendance and spoke honestly about what she knew. Nothing mean spirited, nothing false, but nothing sugar coated, either. The others sitting with them seemed to like her well enough. A good thing the men were all in relationships, because Rex had decided he wanted Nat as more than a sexual partner, but as a companion as well.
Hell, commitment seemed to work for Brian. He and Faith looked like halves of the same whole every time he saw them sitting hand in hand, laughing and talking. Why couldn’t he have the same with Nat? Especially when he knew she liked the same things in bed that he did.
But a smart man set the stage for seduction. She’d flat out said she didn’t do office relationships or involve herself in office politics, and unfortunately, his tie to the mayor was biting him in the ass. He had a feeling he wouldn’t change her mind with a smile and a wink.
Despite how hot she’d been at the club, he had a feeling she separated that Natalie from the office wunderkind. Going too fast with her would be a mistake. She organized her books by size and color, for God’s sake. He hadn’t seen a piece of dust in her homey little house.
And he knew for a fact her employment came with a mandated decency clause. Visiting Freddy’s club and playing sexual games with Rex wouldn’t do any wonders for her job. Seeing her tonight, in her element, he didn’t think she’d ever do anything to jeopardize her position.
Unless he could seduce her into a yes.
The evening wore on, and they enjoyed a pleasant meal, fine company, and finally some dancing.
He pulled her with him onto the dance floor and held her close, ecstatic to inhale the scent of her, committing it to memory. Oh yeah. He wanted this woman.
“Um, a little room to breathe would be nice,” she murmured against his chest.
“Why? You can share breaths with me.” He looked down, and this close, their lips almost touched.
“Sorry, but that flashlight in your pants is rubbing me the wrong way. Remember, this is work—this isn’t really a date.”
“It’s your fault. If you weren’t so damn sexy, I wouldn’t be so…excited to be with you.” He pulled back a pace and did his best to give his brain a cold shower. The mayor and his wife passed by with a smile. That did the trick.
Nat gave a deep throated chuckle that turned his arousal on once more.
“Cut it out,” he said. “You’ll embarrass me in front of these people.”
“Tell you what, Reginald—”
“Low blow, Nat.”
“—I’ll be nice if you follow through on your end of the bargain.”
“What’s that?”
“Tell me the secrets of the rich and obnoxious.”
He smiled. “My pleasure.”
They whirled around while he spoke about those he knew whom he couldn’t stand. Pretentious assholes who only liked him and his parents because they had money. He figured Nat should be forewarned to be forearmed if she ever had to deal with any of them. He also told her about the standup folks in the city she could probably trust, some of whom had genuinely surprised him.
They danced and spoke for two more songs before the band took a break.
“Wow. I hadn’t realized how late it is.” Nat blinked. “Did they just say they’d be back at midnight?”
Rex shrugged. “I guess.”
“I have to work tomorrow. Time for me to go.”
The Warrens continued to dance, but Brian and Faith had disappeared an hour ago. Probably to go home and fuck like bunnies. With a sigh, he stopped that train of thought right there.
“Rex, honey. Where have you been all night?”
Perfect. He turned to see his mother and father smiling expectantly at both him and Nat. “Hey, Momma. Daddy.”
Next to him, Nat smiled back. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Samson. I’m Natalie Wielder. Your son bamboozled me into a date this evening. But despite that, I’m having a good time.”
His father laughed, took Nat’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Enchanted, Ms. Wielder.”
Nat flushed. His freakin’ father had made another conquest. Stupid to feel jealous of the old man.
“Call me Nat,” she said, including his mother in the smile.
“I’m Sue, and this is Harry.” His mother took Nat’s hand in a firm shake. “You look lovely, dear. Rex, handsome as always. Anyway, we just wanted to say hello, not to interrupt.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I have to be going anyway. Work tomorrow.”
“I know that feeling.” His father sighed. “Time we were off as well. Must be nice to set your own hours.” He slapped Rex on the back, then tugged his wife away. “See you tomorrow, boy.”
“See you.” Rex watched them leave, pleased his parents had behaved themselves…for once.
“Nice people.” Nat stared at him, and that hint of snark that turned him on so much returned.
“What’s that look?” he wanted to know. They walked back to their table, collected her wrap and purse, and left the dining hall.
“Momma? Daddy? What a cute little Southern boy you are.” She laughed.
“Hey, don’t knock it. This charming boy still gets the first slice of Momma’s red velvet cake. And the first peaches of the season.”
They walked outside, and he handed the valet his ticket.
“I’m not making fun. Well, I am a bit. But I like your closeness to your parents.” Nat let him tuck her wrap around her tighter when the wind picked up. Not that the weather could get too cool in June, but for once, they had a nice breeze.
“How about your folks?”
“My parents are divorced. Have been since I was a kid. But we all still get along, mostly. I love my family. I think it’s great you obviously love yours.”
He nodded. “Blood’s thicker than water, politics and sweet tea down here.”
She grinned, and it was all he could do not to lean closer and kiss those luscious lips. Instead, he smiled, glanced at the coming car and
helped her inside after the valet parked. He slid the kid a few bills, then drove them back to her house.
“I had a nice time, Nat.” He drove slower than he normally would, wanting to stretch out their time together.
“I had fun too. Shocker.”
He liked her attitude. Too much. He’d learned so much about her this evening and had liked all of it. He could fairly call his feelings a crush, edged with huge amounts of animal attraction, and growing toward true affection.
God, he had to have this woman.
They pulled into her driveway, in an older but nicer section of town. “So how about tomorrow night? Got anything planned?” he asked as he cracked open his door. The lights in the car turned on, and she faced him, her eyes a fathomless pool of mystery.
Don’t I sound all schmaltzy thinking poetic-like.
“What’s that smile for?” she asked.
“Smile?”
“Yeah. You look like you want to eat me up.” Even as she said it, she flushed.
“It’s like you want me to say terrible things,” he teased. “I can’t help it. You’re as sweet as sugar. So yeah, sugar, I want to eat you up.”
“And that’s my cue to leave.”
Before she could, he put a hand on her arm. “Wait a minute.” He hurried out of the car and circled to open her door. “After you.” He assisted her out, then walked her to her door.
She paused with her key in the lock. “I had a nice time, Rex.”
“I wish you’d stop acting so surprised by it.”
She laughed. “Sorry. It was fun.”
“So we’ll do this again?”
“Surprisingly, I’d like to. But no. I’m not looking to start a relationship with the mayor’s pal. I don’t mix business and pleasure. Ever. My job is important to me. You can understand that.”
“You know, just because my folks happen to be friendly with Mrs. Jessup, and I was talking to the mayor yesterday, doesn’t mean we’re tight.”
