He did his best to wade through the jumble of words she’d just spouted. “You don’t want me to say yes or you don’t want me to feel like I have to say yes?”
She nodded without specifying which answer was right. Not very helpful. It was time to take control of the conversation.
“Let me start by saying that my brothers will testify that it’s nearly impossible to get me to do something I don’t want to do. With that in mind, why don’t you ask me whatever it is that has you so wound up? I promise I’ll give you an honest answer.”
“All right, but don’t say I didn’t warn you.” She drew a deep breath and unleashed another barrage of words. “My dad called tonight. He and Mom were supposed to invite me to a black-tie charity event this coming Saturday night, but they dropped the ball and forgot. They want me to be there because the community orchestra the dinner is being held for just lost a major part of their funding. My folks are hoping the foundation can fill in some of the gap in the group’s budget.”
Natalie seemed to have run out of steam before actually getting around to asking the favor she needed. That was all right. He could read between the lines.
“You need a date for the dinner, and you’re afraid you’d be imposing if you were to ask me to take you.”
She nodded. “That’s it in a nutshell. As I said, it’s short notice, especially considering it’s a black-tie dinner with dancing.”
Before he could respond, she added, “And then there’s the fact that I’ll likely be the only person there that you’d actually know.”
In short, an evening spent in hell. It didn’t take much imagination to picture a room full of people who wore their wealth like a second skin. They might enjoy donating money to good causes, but would they enjoy spending time with the people their money helped? He bet a few would look down his own background and that of his brothers as well, especially the time they each spent bouncing from one foster home to another until the Lukashes had taken them in permanently.
He shoved the memories of those ugly days to the back of his mind. Either he did this for her or it was time to cut bait and go home. One look at Natalie’s worried eyes, and his decision was made. She already meant too much to him to walk away without at least giving himself a chance to handle her world.
“I’ll be glad to go with you, but I’m guessing there’s more to it than you being concerned about me having to come up with a tuxedo to wear.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and tugged her a little closer. “Are you worried about me meeting your parents?”
“No, not at all.” She shook her head and sighed. “Okay, maybe a little.”
She was worrying at that luscious lower lip again. “Come on, Nat, tell me what’s really wrong.”
“My ex-fiancé and his family will also be there. My parents actually suggested that I ask him to escort me to the dinner. Did I mention that his folks and mine are good friends? Or that none of them understand why I broke up with Benton? By their standards, it should’ve been a perfect match even though it wasn’t.”
Just when he’d thought he’d gotten a handle on the situation, she confused him again. God knows, this Benton guy was probably better suited for a woman of Natalie’s education and background.
“Would you be happier if he did take you? I wouldn’t like it, but I’d understand.”
All right, that was a lie. Even if her ex was a better fit for her parents’ social circle, the last thing Tino wanted to do was encourage her to spend time with a man she’d once considered marrying. That her parents were still trying to shove her back at the guy didn’t help Tino’s mood in the least.
“No, I absolutely would not be happier going with Benton. I will go by myself if you would rather not get dragged into this. I certainly wouldn’t blame you if you don’t.”
Her words and another gulp of coffee washed away the large lump that had taken up residence in his throat. “Then it’s agreed. I’ll be happy to take you to the dinner.”
“Are you sure?”
Clearly, she remained unconvinced, which meant she was picking up on his own misgivings. Doing his best to convey a confidence he didn’t really feel, he tried to reassure her. “Yes, I’m sure. I’ve attended formal dinners before even if I wore a dress uniform instead of a tux. And contrary to what my idiot brothers would tell you, I’ve even been known to carry on intelligent conversations with total strangers.”
He paused to tip her face up to look at him more directly before adding, “And finally, I love to dance. Holding you in my arms out on the dance floor will be reward enough for me going. Got that?”
Then he sealed the deal with a kiss, one meant to rock her world and ended up rocking his as well. He gave in to the temptation to tangle his fingers in her soft-as-silk hair, the better to hold her captive while his lips plundered hers. But he was quickly reminded that this woman was no one’s pushover. She broke free of his embrace long enough to climb onto his lap, straddling his thighs. He slid forward on the couch cushion and tugged her closer, bringing himself down to her eye level to make sure she saw that he meant every word he’d said.
The fact that the position centered her core right on top of his raging erection was only a side benefit.
Before picking up where they’d left off, she rewarded him with one of her dimpled smiles. “Yes, sir, message received. Dinner, conversation, and best of all, dancing.”
“Good.”
Her eyes darkened as she cupped his face with her hands. “Now, I think we’re about ready for the dessert I mentioned.”
She rocked forward and back, punctuating her words. In response, he cupped her ass with his hands as he lifted his own hips to maintain that connection. With his blood running hot in his veins, he whispered, “Tell me we aren’t talking about the brownies.”
The heat in her smile kicked it up a notch. “Those are for…after,” she said as she peeled off her sweater and sent it flying.
“Perfect.”
