“Now, I’ve taken up enough of your time and your coffee is getting cold, which is unforgivable. So let me finish by saying that the Elliot Family Foundation is honored to support this city’s libraries and, in memory of Jack, to continue to meet the donation amount set by him. Thank you.”
Yumi shrieks in surprise. Penny’s mouth hangs open. Debra drops her cake fork. The applause is thunderous. I’ve never been so popular in my life and I probably never will be again. To think that all it cost is an unspecified amount of someone else’s money and any chance of Catherine ever accepting me. Hard not to smile. That’s when the person from the newspaper snaps my picture.
“Let me see if I’ve got this right,” says Beck as he walks in the door, cell attached to his ear. “You sent her to an event with absolutely no information or instructions and she made a speech that she wasn’t aware she’d have to make and—rather than rocking the boat in any way—she committed to nothing more than a continuance of business as usual? That sounds to me like an entirely measured position to adopt.”
Beck flinches, moving the phone away from his ear. Even I can hear Catherine’s reply from over on the couch. The woman is furious.
“You’re right, Grandma, that is quite an amount of money. And how wonderful that it’s going to continue to be given to the city libraries as Dad would have wanted.” He pauses. “Hello? Hello, Grandma? I think she hung up on me.”
“Hmm.”
He crashes onto the couch beside me, slinging an arm around my neck. “Hello, dearest. I’ve just been hearing all about your busy day.”
“On a scale of one to ten, how much trouble am I in?”
“I don’t know. Eleven, maybe?”
I sigh.
“Can’t even imagine what you’re going to get for Christmas. A lump of coal? Some half-rotted brussels sprouts? That’s presuming we’re still even invited.”
“I’m sorry.”
He grins. “No you’re not. I saw that picture of you grinning like the Cheshire Cat. Half of the damn city did.”
“Oops.”
“And, as per our earlier discussion on the phone, nor should you be sorry. She set you up to fail,” he says. “But not only does a goodly portion of Denver now love you, but you’re making her do the right thing by Dad and those people. You won, hands down.”
“You’re definitely not angry?” I ask, just checking.
“Nope. I’m proud of you.” He smacks a kiss on my cheek, giving me a megawatt smile. “Granny was being mean. She deserved to be taught a lesson.”
“I was rather upset with her at the time.”
“You’re nicer than me. I’d have been fucking furious.”
“She’ll give them the money?” I ask.
“She has to. You made sure of it.”
“Wow. Good.”
“I’m just sorry I trusted her and encouraged you to do it,” he says.
“You’re not some all-knowing omnipotent being.”
“A pity, that.” His thumb caresses the side of my neck. “But next time I’ll do more research.”
“Question,” I say. “Have you ever thought about doing any philanthropy?”
“Answer. I’m involved in a few things. Why do you ask?”
I reach up, rubbing my fingers over his knuckles, down the length of his fingers. “There was a woman there today trying to get a literacy program funded. Also a guy who’s involved in clearing school children’s lunch debt.”
“You’d like to help them?”
“I just thought I’d mention them to you,” I say. “I could be wrong, but your grandmother appears to have a throat hold on the Elliot Family Foundation. A lot of her causes seem to largely benefit the people in her social circle.”
“This is true. Not that Dad was any better. He just saw more value in getting the family name on as many public buildings as possible.” He looks at me and there’s lots going on behind his eyes. Lots and lots. It would be so helpful if I could read his mind. “Let me give this some thought, okay?”
“Sure.”
“Penny was impressed with how fast you thought on your feet today,” he says. “I’m really glad you’re here.”
“Me too.”
“Don’t let my family scare you away.”
I shake my head. “Not going to happen.”
“Did you like driving the SUV? Because if it’s not—”
“I love it. Thank you. It’s perfect.”
Little lines appear beside his eyes when he smiles and I just get lost staring at him for a moment. At his beautiful mouth and the angle of his jaw. At the colors in his eyes and his dark brows. Then there’s the sound of his voice and the scent of his skin and his strong but gentle hands. Everything about him works for me. I am one lucky bitch.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, his gaze warm.
“Sex.”
“Good God, you’re romantic.”
“You should see the size of the backseat in that vehicle. Just the thought of what we could do back there made me wet.”
“I actually bought it because of the safety rating,” he says, coming closer. “But I’m glad it has other important features. Now tell me more about the state of your panties.”
“Are you sure that isn’t against the slow rule?”
“Talk is allowed.”
“In that case, I tricked you. I’m not wearing any.”
His eyes go large and his hands slip beneath the skirt of my dress. Up the length of my thighs slide his palms until a thumb rubs over the silk of my underwear. “Alice, you lied to me. You are too wearing panties.”
“Of course I am. I’ve been out in public. But wasn’t it fun to check?”
His hands stay put as he leans closer, pressing his mouth to mine. I part my lips, giving him entrance, and we’re all tongues and teeth and wanting. It’s delicious. My hands in his hair and my body aching. While under my skirt, his fingers dig into the flesh of my thighs before roaming higher to trace the edges of my underwear. His thumbs slip beneath the edge of lace and elastic, delivering teasing little touches. He’s so close to my mound, but not quite. And the stress of the day doesn’t matter. Not when it’s me and him getting as close as can be with our clothes on. If my panties weren’t wet before, they certainly are now. He does it so easily, turning me on, making me hot for him. My face is flushed and my heart is pounding. He nips my bottom lip before diving straight back in, driving me wild. Beck has kissing down to an art form. The pressure and heat and wetness. It’s all just right.
His lips trace over my cheek before his teeth make their presence known once more against my jawline and then my neck. The sweet sting is a thrilling thing, making my skin more sensitive, my mind more shut down to anything that isn’t us. We’re pressed up against each other, my breasts against his hard chest. All of the air seems to have left the room.
“I think we’re getting closer to the time for actual action,” he says, voice husky.
“God, I hope so.”
“Henry goes back to school tomorrow. We’re going to have the place to ourselves. I’m feeling pretty confident about reaching second base.”