He was still processing the Lori-wished-he-loved-her remark. Was that true? Would she be interested in him that way? He thought she only saw him as a friend.
“Deek?” Rachel snapped her fingers in front of his face. “Where’d you go off to? Am I right here? Wouldn’t most guys move on rather than get in the middle of the drama?”
Forcing his brain to focus, he nodded. “Yeah, I suppose so. But making a scene could get messy.”
Rachel started tugging again. “It’d be better to do it in person. Then Lori won’t have to lie and come up with fake reasons to break up with him. Lori hates lies. You’ll be doing my sister a big favor.”
When they arrived at the foyer, he shoved his hands into his front pockets as he considered Rachel’s plan. He didn’t want to make Lori lie. But something about it still didn’t make sense. “Are you sure a simple phone call wouldn’t be quicker and easier?”
Rachel shook her head and opened the front door. Before she shoved him out, she said, “You need to hurry, Deek. She was contemplating sleeping with him because she hasn’t been with anyone in years—since her husband died. I’ll watch Asher. Go save her from her sex-starved self!”
He raised a finger to make a point about the expediency of using the phone when the front door slammed in his face. Looked like he was going to make a scene.
And save Lori from her sex-starved self.
9
THERE ARE MANY BENEFITS TO HAVING FRIENDS.
Lori gazed over Jason’s shoulder at the other couples as he held her close on the dance floor. He was just the right height, about a half head taller than her. Even with wearing her lovely borrowed heels.
She was dancing with the most handsome man in the room. His muscles rippled nicely under his tightly cut suit that highlighted his narrow waist and broad shoulders. She hadn’t missed other women sneaking coy glances at him all evening even while he’d held her hand or laid his on her thigh during the auction. A signal to others that he was with her, which she’d liked. The bad part was that it’d made her wonder what those big, strong hands would feel like roaming all over her body.
Despite the barracudas in the room, they’d had a marvelous evening, complete with a wonderful meal and some interesting conversation. His parents were very pleasant, but there was a look in Jason’s eyes when he’d glanced her way sometimes that she couldn’t quite put a finger on.
He’d smiled at her for picking up the right salad fork, and nodded in approval when she’d waited for him to choose their wine. Or so it’d seemed. He could’ve just been smiling and keeping her engaged, but it didn’t feel like that. It was almost as if she were on display for his parents. Like it was a test to see if she were good enough for them.
He whispered, “Have I told you how beautiful you are in that dress tonight, Lori?”
He had. Three times. It made her wonder if he’d had a bit too much to drink. She’d lost track after he outpaced her early on. “Yes, thank you. And you look very handsome tonight.”
“Thank you.” His hand on the bare part of her back slid lower, and he pulled her closer. “Your beautiful ivory skin contrasts so nicely with your dark hair. And your long neck drives me crazy. I’ve been dying to taste you all night. Right here.” He gently nipped the base of her neck.
Her engines were already idling fast and ready to go, but that little nip got them revving on full.
Then he lifted his head and smiled at her as he pulled her even closer. So close his crotch snuggled against her belly. Leaving no doubt about how much he wanted her. It sent a shiver up her spine. It had been so long since she’d been plastered against a hard body. And God, how she missed being wanted by a man.
His lips moved to her ear, and he whispered, “Was that shiver for me? Or are you cold?”
He’d felt that? Dammit. She didn’t want to seem so needy. “Just a draft. I’m fine.”
He took their entwined hands and placed them between them, against her chest. “You are so much more than fine, Lori.” When he traced the backs of his fingers over the exposed swell of her breasts, she let out an involuntary whimper she wished she could take back.
The gleam in his eyes turned hungry. “You in this dress should be illegal. It’s making me want to do very naughty things to you.”
Yeah. She knew just how he felt. “Maybe we should go sit down then. Your parents are probably wondering where we went.”
His fingertip slowly slipped lower, while the back of his hand pressed harder into her breast. When he lightly grazed over her nipple, her spine straightened, pressing her harder against him.