Page 31 of The Forbidden Texan
“I’m glad Jake is changing it. I hope he likes it. None of us did, but that was because of our grandfather. Not the most lovable old granddad. And none of us liked going to that ranch after our little brother drowned in a pond there,” Camilla added.
“That is a bad memory,” Emily agreed. “But I hope you can stand to come look when it’s finished. You’ll be surprised.”
“You might have to send pictures, Emily. I can’t imagine going back there ever,” Camilla repeated.
Jake sat beside Emily. “They’re getting ready to start serving,” he said. As he spoke, the first waiters came out of the kitchen with large trays. In minutes, waiters poured drinks and served crystal plates with green salads.
After a dinner of prime rib and a delicious lemon dessert, the program started. A short film was shown of the rescue flights that were made and the director of RAPT talked, giving figures for the number of dogs that had been placed in homes. Jake, along with two other Texans, were given plaques, honoring what they had done in flying the dogs out of the disaster areas.
Finally, the evening was turned over to a band for dancing and a bar opened in one corner of the room.
The dancing was lively and Emily had fun with Jake. Not surprisingly, he was a superb dancer, no matter the style—samba, salsa, rumba. She liked watching Jake and his sexy moves. Longing built with every dance, every shared laugh, but she refused to worry about it tonight.
Later, when they played a ballad, Jake took her hand to slow dance. “You can’t beat this. Slow dancing may be old-fashioned, but I get to hold you close. Even better, your brothers and their lady friends have gone, so I won’t be getting the evil eye for it.”
“Pay no attention to my brothers. Frankly, I don’t imagine they want to mess with you. You’ve had military training—they haven’t.”
“I may have training, but I didn’t come home to fight any Texans I’ve known all my life. And it would go against my promise to Thane.”
“It will never come to that now,” she said, aware of being in Jake’s arms, moving with him. His hand holding hers was warm; his arm circled her waist and they moved together in perfect harmony. She looked up into his eyes and as he gazed back at her, the moment changed. His arm tightened slightly around her waist and she longed to press even closer.
“We fit together perfectly,” he said quietly.
“I think so,” she whispered, looking at his mouth, feeling her heart beat loudly as she followed his lead. He spun her around and dipped and she clung to him as she looked up at him. He held her easily and swung her up to pull her close. The song ended and another started, a jazz number, and the more they danced, the more she wanted to be alone with him, kissing him to her heart’s content. Her pulse raced, desire building with every step she took.
When the song was over, he whispered in her ear. “Ready to go?”
“Yes,” she whispered back.
He took her hand and they walked back to their table, where she picked up her purse and they told everyone goodbye.
In the limo, Jake took her hand. “Emily, come back to my place for a drink. I’ll take you home whenever you’re ready. It’s early and it’s been a fun evening. I’m not ready for it to end yet.”
After only a moment’s hesitation, she replied, “Yes.”
He smiled. “Good.”
She knew she shouldn’t, but she didn’t want to say good-night to him yet, either. The evening had been great fun with Jake and with friends. It had been all she had hoped and more because of Jake and now she could no longer ignore how much she wanted to kiss him and be kissed by him. But could she stop at kisses? Did she even want to?
Eight
They rode up in the elevator to his condo. When she walked into the entryway and looked across the living room, through floor-to-ceiling windows, she could see the Dallas skyline.
“What would you like to drink? I have a full bar.”
“Surprise me. You also have the best view in Dallas,” she said, crossing his living room, which had ornate French Louis XV fruitwood furniture. The furnishings were elegant, with a spectacular crystal chandelier in the entryway and another in the dining room just as it had looked in the pictures he had given her. She knew his kitchen was contemporary style.
She stood at the window to take in the panoramic view, including Reunion Tower, the Dallas skyline and twinkling city lights. While looking in wonder, she was lost in memories of dancing with him. All the touching and caressing had been pure seduction. But now she reminded herself she needed to get a grip on reality and guard her heart. No matter how appealing, how sexy, how much they had this fiery physical attraction to each other, they needed to exercise common sense and keep their distance. She needed to hang on to that thought as if it was a lifeline. Otherwise, she was going to fall in love with him and that would be a giant disaster.
Why couldn’t she get that through her head and walk away from Jake? He was just too appealing, and they had a sizzling chemistry between them that was pure magic.
So what was she doing in his condo? Why was she hot, tingling with wanting him?
Because she wanted this night with him. As dangerous as it was.
“Jake?” she whispered.
He approached her with two glasses of wine. When he looked at her, his eyes narrowed and he set the glasses on the nearest table, shed his coat, unbuttoned his shirt at the throat and pulled loose his tie. As she watched, her heartbeat quickened. Dropping his tie on the chair, he closed the distance between them and took her into his arms.
