“I fear I’m losing you.”
She breathed in his expensive aftershave and the hint of cigar clinging to his tuxedo jacket. “No, that will never happen. You’re my Drewsy. But we’ll talk about it more later.” She kissed his cheek and stepped away, heading for the coat room, and fueled by the anticipation of her newfound freedom.
“Ambassador Cartwright and his guest, Mr. Declan Cadell,” the announcer called.
What? The thrill of hearing his name struck her heart like a bolt of lightning. He can’t possibly be here. She spun around to find the love of her life standing in the receiving line. He wore the ridiculous cowboy hat she’d bought him and a tuxedo. She hadn’t even known he owned one.
As he shook hands with Mrs. Lumley, he glanced over his shoulder, and their gazes collided.
Joy exploded in her chest. Phinny ran. She took off across the marble floor, unintentionally bashing into Sir Edmond’s shoulder. “Sorry. So sorry.” But she kept going, and when they finally met, she threw herself into his arms. She heard a rip of fabric, but she didn’t care. “Declan.” She turned her face into his neck. “Oh, my God. I can’t believe you’re here.”
He didn’t say a word, but she felt his body go hot, and his hands fist in her dress.
Pulling back, she cupped his beloved face in her hands. “Am I dreaming? Are you real?” Her heart thundered, and she could barely catch her breath.
“I’m here.” His jaw snapped shut, and he swallowed. “Phinny, I’m sorry.” He had a wild look in his eyes, an intensity that grabbed her, screening out every other person in the room. “I love you, and the worst thing I’ve ever done is hurt you. I hate that you spent even one minute thinking I didn’t want you, that you aren’t perfect, that I don’t support you in everything you want to do in life.” He looked down at his black dress shoes. Then, taking in a breath, his gaze swung back to her. "I was no different from your parents, cutting you off because you didn’t do what I wanted.”
“Oh, no. No, no, no. Your motivations were totally different. It’s not the same thing.”
“The end result is. Phinny, you don’t have to choose between me and your dreams. You don’t have to live where I live. If you love doing the auction, then we’ll have homes in London and Calamity. The last three weeks have been the worst in my life, and I never want to live without you again. I want to support your dreams. I want to be by your side for everything—”
She sealed his mouth with hers. Only a quick, hard kiss, because she felt so desperate, so overwhelmed, she knew she’d surely strip out of her clothes just to feel his warm, hard body pressed against hers. “I missed you.” All those sleepless nights, the ache deep in her bones… “I thought I would die without you.”
“You never have to be without me.” His voice sounded savage. “I want to be good for you. I want to be the best thing that ever happened to you.” With a finger, he tipped her chin, and their mouths met, starved for each other, desperate to close the cold, barren gap between them.
A man cleared his voice, and Declan slowed the kiss, cooled the ardor, until he gave her one last, sweet press of his lips.
A tuxedo coat went around her shoulders, and she gazed up at the tall, silver-haired fox standing beside them. Only then did she become aware of the airiness she’d felt on her behind. Recalling the rip, her eyelids fluttered closed. “Thank God I wore underpants.”
With his arm around her in a possessive grip, Declan said, “Phinny, this is Wesley Cartwright. He’s—"
“The United States Ambassador to the Court of St. James.” Clearly impressed, her stepfather joined them. He shook the man’s hand. “Andrew Crutchley, and my wife Lady Lucinda Crutchley.”
Her mum stood beside him, glee in her eyes. “I’m delighted to see you again.”
“I’m delighted to be here.” The man spoke with an American accent. He smiled warmly at Phinny. “I couldn’t be happier to meet you. You might not know this”—his gaze cut momentarily to her mother—“but I’m your godfather. Kurt and I met in college and played hockey together. Your father was like a brother to me, and I know he’d be happy that for some reason you’ve agreed to hang out with this young troublemaker. A man he entrusted his land and his hockey team with.”
A framed photograph appeared in her mind’s eye. “Oh, yes. I saw pictures of you in his house. Weren’t you the best man in his wedding?”
“I was. And next time I’m in London, I’ll be sure to visit you.”
She gazed up at Declan. “Actually, I’m moving to the States.”
His hand squeezed hers. “But what about your job here?”
She didn’t want to discuss it in front of the ambassador, but Andrew stepped in and said, “The wonderful news is that my wife will be taking over Phinny’s job at the foundation.” He gave Phinny a warm smile. “So, she’s free to go wherever will make her happy.”
Her heart squeezed with affection. Thank you, Drewsy. Thank you so much.
Her mum maintained a perfectly believable smile. “I could never do as good a job as my daughter, but I will give it my all.”
She took a step back. “Mum, Andrew, this is Declan. He’s one of the hockey players Kurt mentored, and the love of my life.”
Declan pumped her stepdad’s hand. “Very glad to meet you.” He nodded to her mum. “Mrs. Crutchley. I’m sorry for intruding on the gala, but I wanted to introduce you both to the ambassador.”
“That’s right,” the tall, broad-shouldered man said. “I understand you supply linens to the Lumley Hotel chain?”
“We do.” Andrew grew enlivened.
“Well, I don’t know if your services extend to the United States, but I know of a high-end chain opening three hundred resorts next year in North America, and I don’t believe they’ve secured contracts just yet.” He clapped Declan on the shoulder. “But before we talk business, why don’t we let these kids go? I’m sure Phinny and Declan have some catching up to do.”
“We do. Mr. and Mrs. Crutchley, it was great to meet you. And thank you for letting me steal your daughter away.” Declan tugged on her hand. “Let’s get out of here.” But as they took off, she winced, and he stopped. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just these shoes. It’s no matter. Let’s just go.”
He led her right out the front door and down the steps.
“Oh, the ambassador’s coat.” She started to pull it off.
His big hands came to rest on her shoulders. “Trust me, he doesn’t care about it. Besides, I think enough people got to see that fine peach of an ass for one night.” When she winced again, he dashed off to the rental car waiting in front of the valet stand and pulled a pair of pink cowboy boots out of the backseat. Crouching before her, he peeled off each glittery high heel and replaced them with her nicely worn-in boots.
She was so in love with this man she could hardly contain it. “I can’t believe you brought these.” She took her heels from him and tossed them into the bushes. And then, she was back in his arms. “I don’t understand any of this. How do you know an ambassador?”