“I can see why, it’s got great flavor,” I tell him. I quickly finish my glass, the flavor of the wine bursting on my tongue and making me relax as the alcohol hits my blood stream. I don’t miss the fact that he’s draped his arm across the back of my chair and his fingers are making small circles along the exposed skin on my neck. The soft touches are sending shivers down my body, settling in my core. It isn’t only the wine that is making me feel all warm inside. While his touches might be brief and small, they feel big in a way that I can’t quite describe. We fall into an easy conversation as we just get to know each other over the course of the hour until it’s time for the live auction.
Drew takes the stage once more, asking first for everyone to return to their seats, and then announcing the auctioneer. He turns the microphone and stage over and they get to work auctioning off a large array of items. From artwork, to trips, to themed baskets filled with all sorts of things. They easily raise hundreds of thousands of dollars as they do so. I sit back and watch those that are here to bid, enjoying how much fun they have while doing so. Drew, himself, bids on a few things and even wins a vacation package to a resort in Hawaii.
“What a night,” Drew says once the crowd starts to thin out.
“I agree. Thank you for inviting me. I had a great time.”
“I’m glad. It was great to have you here with me,” he says, squeezing my hand quickly. All these small touches he’s instigated tonight have me wondering if we could have more between us. “Are you ready to get out of here?” he asks, looking down at his watch. I’ve had such a good time that I haven’t even realized how late it is until he’s mentioned leaving.
“Yes, what time is it, anyways?” I ask, a yawn hitting me.
“Just after eleven,” he says as his hand slides into his tux pants. He lost the jacket a while ago and his shirt sleeves have been rolled up to his elbows, showing off his muscular forearms. It should be illegal for someone as good looking as Drew to wear a tux like he does. I’m shocked that he doesn’t have a line of women behind him for how good he looks tonight. I’ve felt a little special knowing that I’m the one he’s here with tonight. Not that me being his date really means anything. It’s not like we’re really together. I’m just his plus one.
“No wonder I’m yawning,” I say, uncovering my mouth. “It’s past my bedtime,” I tell him.
“Not a night owl?” he asks, a smirk pulling at the corner of his lips.
“Nope,” I confirm, popping the p. “I’m lucky most nights if I make it to ten before I pass out.”
“Med school and residency conditioned my body to late nights and early mornings. I got so used to running off just a few hours of sleep that I don’t know what to do with myself when I get more than five consecutive hours,” he says on a chuckle.
“I’d die,” I tell him, and laugh as we make our way out to the lobby.
“Our ride should be pulling up soon. I texted him a couple minutes ago.”
“Sounds good,” I reply as I pull the shawl I brought with me around my shoulders. Now that it’s nighttime and the sun is down, the outside temp has dipped, and I get cold easily.
“Are you cold?” Drew asks. “Here, use my jacket,” he says, draping it over my shoulders. I lean forward so that the coat can drop between my chair and my back. I slip my arms into the sleeves and find that my hands only reach to just past where his elbows would be. His scent also hits me, now that I’m wrapped in it, and I find myself sucking in a deep breath. The mixture of his spicy cologne and a woodsy smell has me in a heady drunk-like state. Between the smell and the wine that I drank earlier, I’m feeling really good right about now.
“Our ride is here,” he says, pulling me from my moment.
“Okay,” I reply as I follow him out and to the waiting SUV. The driver has already opened up the ramp and I’m able to slide right in, securing myself as Drew situates himself in the seat next to me.
I think we both hit a wall, as we’re quiet on the ride to my apartment. Drew gets out when the driver stops and waits outside the car while I get out. He walks me up to the doors and waits as I pull my keys out to open the security door. “Thank you again for being my date tonight, Megan. I had a great time,” he says, causing me to grin. I had an amazing time, too. Then, he follows with, “What would you say to a real date? One not subject to my entire crazy family or foundation responsibilities on my part.”
“I’d love that,” I tell him as calmly as I can muster, the butterflies rising in the pit of my stomach once again tonight.
“I’ll text you tomorrow and we can figure something out,” he says, smiling.
“Sounds good,” I reply. He leans down and kisses me on the cheek and turns to walk away. “Drew!” I call out before he’s too far out the door.
“Yeah?” he asks, stopping and turning back in my direction.
“Here’s your jacket,” I tell him, pulling it from my body and holding it out to him.
“Oh, right, thanks,” he says, closing the distance between the two of us. He takes the jacket and slings it over his shoulder. It hangs from the tips of his fingers as he just stands in front of me. We’re locked in a staring contest, of sorts, and all I can think of is what it would be like for him to kiss me, really kiss me. Not the quick peck he placed on my cheek just a moment ago, but a real, lip-locking passionate-filled kiss. What it would be like to feel his tongue against my own, his hands in my hair and against my skin.
“Thanks for letting me use it,” I finally say, breaking the silence. The tension between us is tangible, almost crackling. I’m sure if anyone else was in the room with us now, they’d be able to feel it just as I can. My attraction for this man has increased tenfold, just tonight. Seeing him amongst his family and how he finally relaxed as the night wore on.
In the blink of an eye, Drew closes the small amount of space between us and drops to his haunches as he presses his lips to mine. I gasp, never in a million years did I think that Drew Montgomery would be kissing me. This gorgeous, experienced doctor, who could have any woman he wanted, was kissing me. And I’m kissing him back.
Drew takes advantage, our tongues tangle together as we both explore this connection. His hands raise up to cup my face, as his fingers slide into my hair slightly. Goosebumps break out across my skin as my pulse speeds up.
When we break apart, Drew rests his forehead against mine. “I’m sorry if that was too forward. I just couldn’t not kiss you,” he whispers, his voice deep and gritty.
“No complaints from me,” I say, trying to keep the moment light.
He drops another quick kiss against my lips before he stands back up to his full height. “Good night, Megan. I’ll text you tomorrow,” he says before turning and walking out the door. I stay there, watching out the window as he goes. His stride is determined. I can tell from his body language that he forced himself to leave. To keep his focus on getting to the car and leaving. Had he asked to come up, I don’t know that I would have had the strength to tell him no. Not that I’d sleep with him, but I’d take some more of that kissing, if that was offered.
Once the taillights of the car can no longer be seen, I press the button for the elevator. Thankfully, I have no wait as it’s already down on the ground level. I make my way into my apartment, stopping first in my bedroom and changing into some pajamas, then heading into the bathroom to quickly complete my normal nighttime routine. Once finished in the bathroom, I stop in the kitchen and fill up my water bottle to take to bed with me. I slide into bed, plug in my phone, and see that I have two missed texts, one from Lucy and one from Drew.