"I'm here with Chantal."
"You two are still together?"
"We've had a breakup or two over the years, which is why I'm dragging my feet on giving her the engagement ring she's been nagging me about."
Yeah, Chantal and Tyler deserved each other.
"Who are you here with?" Tyler asked.
"She's with me," Ronin said, sliding his arm around her waist.
Tyler's eyes widened so fast she almost heard a cartoonish sproing.
Then Ronin offered his hand. "Ronin Black. And you are?"
"I know who you are, Sensei Black. I'm Tyler Pessac. I'm with the Rockies management team."
"How do you know Amery? Or did you just see a beautiful woman standing alone and decide to hit on her?"
Tyler shot her a grin. At one time she would've considered it the cutest thing ever. Now it came across as super-cheesy.
"Amery and I were involved for a few years before and after we moved to Denver." When Tyler's gaze scanned her thoroughly, Amery felt as if she'd been slimed. "Damn, Ame, you're a knockout tonight."
Ronin's demeanor didn't change. "Yes, she is. And she's all mine. So if you'll excuse us . . ." And Ronin steered her away.
Once they were far enough away, Amery spun in front of him, forcing him to stop. "Mine? What was that?"
"A friendly reminder that your past with him is just that, long past." He pressed his lips against her temple. "Shall we track down the dining area?"
Just like that he changed the subject and led her away.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE dining room defined opulence. Forty-foot-high ceilings with mahogany crown molding, a preponderance of sparkly crystal chandeliers, silk-covered walls, carpeting that mimicked a pricey Persian rug.
The already beautiful space had been further transformed. Each table had different jewel-toned linen. From the back of the room, the hundred or so colored tables spread out like a rainbow, darkest to lightest. The glassware on each table was clear, reflecting the individual color, creating the illusion that each table had customized glassware. The centerpiece on each table initially looked tacky-artificial flowers with color-changing LED lights on the edges of the leaves and flowers. But as Amery watched the lights morphing from one shade of the rainbow to the next, she noticed the effect sent tiny shards of light outward, so it looked as if diamonds had been sprinkled across the table.
This was one of the coolest decorating themes she'd ever seen.
And the Hidden Hills Resort didn't allow its members to sit on padded metal conference chairs. No, every chair was draped in the same fabric as the table.
A female server intercepted them as they tried to cut through the tables. "One of the staff members with the clipboard will have your seat assignments."
"I'd forgotten about that. Thank you."
Assigned seating felt a little junior high-ish. Were the attendees deemed more important seated at a better table with other bigwigs? Maybe it was the champagne, but Amery could give a shit where she and Ronin ended up. In her mind he remained the most interesting person in the room-regardless of how many people filled the space.
After they were properly seated, she snuck a look at him and bit back a feminine sigh.
Ronin's mouth brushed her ear. "What's the smirk for?"
"Just thinking about how sexy you look in that suit. But as nice as the wrapper is, it's the body beneath that gets me all hot and bothered."
"You always so flirty and flattering when you drink champagne?"
She laughed softly. "I'm serious."
"I know." He placed a kiss below her ear. "Which is why I'll make sure the champagne keeps flowing."
"Maybe that's not the best idea. I do all sorts of crazy things when I'm tipsy."
"If this shindig gets dull, I have ideas on how we can liven things up." Ronin's hand slid up her leg.
"Ronin. Behave."
"No." His teeth enclosed her earlobe and he tugged. "And don't pretend you want me to be the gentleman in the suit. You prefer the master in the gi."
To anyone else it would appear that she and Ronin were having a private conversation. But when he whispered against her skin in that rough voice, she was done in. Add in the erotic way his thumb stroked the inside of her thigh, the continual pass of his warm lips beneath her ear . . . Amery wanted to grab him by his fancy tie, drag him into the coat check room, and fuck him stupid.
"I like that purring sound you just made," he murmured against her throat. "Remember earlier when you said you'd give me anything I wanted?"