Deacon watches him go before turning to me. “Not sure what to do with that.”
Anger tightens my throat. If my brother is spreading lies, putting Deacon in jeopardy… “I know what to do about it,” I say under my breath. I’m going to visit him tomorrow.
“Where did my aunt go?” Deacon’s scanning the crowded room.
“She left. Said she’d talk to you later.”
Our eyes meet, and we both seem a bit deflated.
“Hey.” He puts his drink on the high table and his hands on my waist, pulling me closer. “We’re supposed to be having fun tonight. Let’s dance.”
Nodding, I follow him back to the floor, where we get cozy and sway to the instrumental version of “Beyond the Sea,” and my mind drifts to Sofia. It feels like a year has passed since Beto destroyed everything, and Lourdes called Deacon my prince. He is my prince, but unlike that fictional princess, I’m not giving up anything to be with him. My brother is not a king, he’s not my father, and he’s not going to threaten our love.
We dance. We sample the barbecue skewers on platters. I sip ginger ale, while Deacon sticks to scotch. The only members of the old guard who approach us are the men. They shake Deacon’s hand, ask how his business is going, welcome him back to town.
I feel the eyes of all the old women in the room on us the entire night, and I’m sure we’re the subject of much gossip, the same gossip that sent Winnie running for the hills. I can’t decide if I think she’s a coward or if she did it to avoid engaging.
Haven Wells is the one older woman who asks to meet me. “I adore your dress.”
“Thank you.” I do a brief nod. “Deacon bought it for me.”
Her white-blonde hair is styled in a chin-length bob, and I know immediately she’s the mother of Deacon’s friend Rich, who has yet to make an appearance.
“I heard you two are engaged?” She smiles, looking up at my date. “Is this true?”
“It is.” Deacon catches my hand, threading our fingers and showing her my ring.
“It’s gorgeous. Did you pick it out together?”
“No—he completely surprised me with it.” The diamond flashes in the light, and I imagine him picking it out, keeping it a secret…
“Brave boy.” Haven nudges him in the side, and he shrugs.
“I figured if she didn’t like it, I’d get her another one.”
“Another one!” I cry, and he laughs.
Haven leans into me, clinking her champagne glass against my tumbler. “Mental note.” She does a little wave, circling into the crowd. “Have a fun night, kids.”
“I like her.”
“She’s one of the better ones.” He puts the glass down and catches my arms. “How are you feeling?”
Tilting my head to the side, I look up at him, a smile curling my lips. “I’m ready to go if you are. I have something special in mind.”
“Is that so?’ His eyes light, and he steps closer, cupping my cheeks and lifting my chin as he leans down, speaking at my ear. “We’re not too far from our tower if you’d like to make a little detour.”
My eyes flutter shut as his warm breath skates over my neck, making me shiver. His thumb touches my chin, and my body heats. “I could be persuaded to take a little detour.”
It’s not like the baby’s going anywhere.
Without another word, he clasps my hand, leading me to the large, glass foyer where we entered.
He’s walking fast, and I catch the side of my dress, laughing as I do my best to keep up. “You’re going to make me trip.”
My heels click on the marble floors, and as soon as we’re outside, he turns my back to the wall, covering my mouth with his. Our lips seal, and I’m flooded with heat as our tongues curl and the scent of citrus and soap flood my senses.
Hands slide up my sides, cupping my breasts over my gown. I moan, tasting him, smelling him… His hands slide down my back to cup my ass, and I’m on fire.
“As gorgeous as this dress is, I’ve wanted to put my hands all over your naked body all night.”
“I want your hands all over my naked body.” It’s an urgent request.
“Wait here while I get the car.”
He leaves me hot and bothered as I watch him jog to the VIP lot. On wobbly legs, I stroll to the end of the walkway to wait for him. It doesn’t take long for him to pull up in his sleek black Audi two-seater.
I’m about to open the door when he’s out in a flash, circling the front and holding it for me. “I got this.”
We’re inside and speeding down the highway in no time. His large hand rests on my thigh, rising higher, following the high slit of my dress. Shifting in the buttery leather seat, I uncross my legs, loving the heat rising with his touch. His lips curl as his eyes watch the road, and I sigh at the first slide of his finger against my crotch, sheathed in silk.
“Why don’t you slip those off?” Heat is in his voice, and I’m so wet.
“I’m not sure if I can in this skirt.” Wiggling side to side, I reach under, trying to maneuver my hands beneath the floor-length gown. “I don’t want to rip it.”
“I’ll rip it.” He’s hungry, aggressive, and I’m vibrating with need.
“I need to stand. How much farther?” My voice is breathless.
“Not much.” His hand returns to the smooth skin of my thigh when his phone buzzes on the console. “Probably Rich making excuses for why he never showed.”
I’m ready to say it doesn’t matter, when I see it’s Winnie. “It’s your aunt.”
“I don’t care.” His hand slides higher up my thigh, and as much as I want him to touch me, I can’t help wondering what she’ll say to him.
Will she tell him about the baby?
Will she say I’m trying to trap him?
It’s like cold water on my heated body. “Should I see what she wrote?”
His hand leaves me, and he makes an annoyed sound as he picks up the black phone and swipes his finger across the face before handing it to me. “Old cock blocker. We might as well read it together.”
“Are you sure?” I feel bad for breaking the mood.
“Positive.”
My tongue wets my bottom lip, and I lift the phone to read the words aloud. “Come to the house after you’ve taken her home. I have the diary you asked for. You need to see it.”
“Mother fucker.” Deacon’s voice is a hiss. “I knew she had it.”
Cold fear trickles through my chest as I watch the muscle move in his jaw. “What does that mean?”
The mood in the car completely shifts. “It’s about our grandparents.”
“We have to go.”
29
Deacon
“You were going to let me search the whole attic?” I’m so fucking angry, I’m doing a good job keeping my tone civil. “When you had it the whole time?”
Winnie’s dressed in her floor-length navy velvet robe, and her hair is wrapped in that white turban. “The things in my mother’s personal diary are private. I didn’t know your reason for wanting to see it. I was protecting her memory.”