She touched her tongue to her bottom lip, and as if deciding their conversation was becoming too hot and provocative, she turned the subject back to him. “So, what compelled you to fulfill women’s fantasies?”
If she expected an exciting, sensational answer, she was going to be sorely disappointed. “Outstanding loans that needed to be paid.”
She nodded in understanding. “And do you enjoy the business?”
“I had more fun when I was younger,” he said, thinking back to the inception of Fantasy for Hire, and how a simple vision to earn extra money had exceeded his wildest expectations. Back then, he’d been enthusiastic, enjoying the excitement of each gig. “Now that I’ve hit thirty, I find I prefer conducting business with my clothes on.”
She grinned, and he thought about mentioning his flourishing landscaping business, which had become his main focus, but Teddy’s next question didn’t allow him time.
“How does your family feel about your profession?” she asked curiously.
“My mother and father are both gone. They died when I was sixteen.”
She appeared startled, and immediately regretful. “I’m sorry to hear that. Losing your parents at such a young age must have been extremely difficult.”
“Yeah, it was.” His mother and father had been good people, very much in love, and totally devoted to their two sons. Their death had shaken up his young world, and if it hadn’t been for Jordan’s guidance, he very easily would have become a juvenile delinquent. “My brother, Jordan, and I still miss them.”
The band announced the final song of the evening, and Bing’s tune segued into another ballad without a lapse. Some of the couples dispersed, but Teddy didn’t show any signs of wanting to go, so he continued to hold her close as the music played.
Her gaze shone with genuine interest, solely focused on him. “So it’s just the two of you then?”
“Yeah. All we have is each other.” Austin found he liked talking to her, liked even more that she’d let down her guard to indulge in personal conversation—the getting-to-know-you kind of exchange that real lovers shared. “Jordan is older than me by two years. He raised me after our parents died.”
She tilted her head, looking soft, and beautiful, and very much at ease. “And how does big brother feel about you taking your clothes off for women?”
Austin chuckled, the sound swirling warm and intimate between them. “It’s definitely not his cup of tea. Jordan is an architect, and has always been a conservative sort of guy, but he’s always been very supportive of me and the choices I’ve made.”
“That’s great.” Her voice held a wistful quality that reached her eyes. “I wish my brothers were that way. Heck, I’d kill for a little support and encouragement from my parents, too.”
Austin thought briefly about what her sister-in-law, Susan, had divulged, but still couldn’t believe Teddy had ventured into her career alone, without having someone to share each step of success with. “Your family isn’t at all supportive of what you’re doing?”
She shook her head a little sadly. “Nope. I’m the youngest girl with three older brothers, which is the kiss of death itself. Then there’s my mother, who is from the old school, and believes a daughter should be raised to be a proper wife and hostess to her husband. She was horrified when I went to college to get my degree, and I know my father was disappointed, too.”
Austin’s hand rubbed small soothing circles at the base of her spine, and he could feel the rasp of her silky stockings against his slacks. He ignored the flash of heat that touched off a deep, inexplicable hunger for her, and steered his concentration back to their conversation. “Why can’t you do both, have a successful career and be a wife? Women do it all the time.”
A wry look crossed her features. “The two don’t seem to mix well for me. Remember Bartholomew? Well, I almost did the deed with him, and luckily came to my senses before I became a clone of my mother. That’s another incident my parents have yet to forgive me for.” Her gaze conveyed an unmistakable reckless defiance. “I’m not ready to settle down yet. I’ve got goals to attain, and quite frankly, after being stifled for more years than I care to recall, I like my freedom and independence.”
“Maybe you just haven’t found the right man yet.”
“I’m not looking for a man, remember.” With a sassy grin, she reminded him of that vow with a wave of her left hand in front of his face. That sparkly ring of hers flashed, backing her claim. “Staying single is so much easier and less complicated.”
“But a lot lonelier.” His voice was quiet, but his words were powerful enough to touch the vulnerability behind her independent facade.
Their gazes connected, hers filled with unspoken affirmation. Even though he knew she’d never admit to being lonely, he suspected that the world she’d created for herself didn’t keep her warm at night, or bolster her spirits on a bad day. What she needed was someone who believed in her and her aspirations, someone who supported her unconditionally, and didn’t try to clip her wings.
It was clear to him that she was out to prove something to her parents, and herself. And possibly even to Louden. He didn’t begrudge her the success she strove for, only hoped that her single-mindedness didn’t keep her from enjoying other aspects of her life.
“I suppose you want a wife, kids, and the whole bit,” she said cheekily, avoiding the deeper issue he’d unintentionally provoked.
“Sure I do.” And the older he got, the more he wanted that kind of security. That big Victorian he lived in by himself got far too quiet at night, giving him too much time to think about how a special woman might fit into his life. Finding her was another matter, especially when Fantasy for Hire robbed him of any spare time. “When the right woman comes along, I’ve got an open mind about marriage. And I want a big family, too. I love kids.”
She gave a shudder, but he knew she was exaggerating by the teasing sparkle in her eyes. “I get my fill of kids with my eight nieces and nephews. One night with them, and I’m completely wiped out.”
He lifted an eyebrow, wondering how much of that statement was truth, and how much she’d tried to convince herself of.
The final song ended, bringing the Christmas party to a close. Slowly, reluctantly, he let her move from his embrace. A sense of loss filled him—there were no more excuses to postpone the end of the evening. And judging by the slant of their conversation, he pretty much ascertained that no further invitation was forthcoming from her lips to see him again.
She’d made it clear that her job was her priority, that a real man in her life was something her parents wanted, but she had no time or desire for. He wasn’t going to push the issue…at least not much.
On the drive back to Teddy’s place, Austin had plenty of time to mentally plan his strategy to sway Teddy into giving them another chance, another date, one that wasn’t tangled up with lies and pretenses. Just them. And their attraction for one another.
He wondered if he stood a chance against her restricting goals, wondered if he was being foolish for wanting to pursue something that might be all one-sided. And then there was the issue of her family, and what they expected of Teddy…and of a boyfriend.