Billionaire Bachelors 7 ; The Billionaire's Final Stand(4)

"Yeah, I guess. I better go turn this in. I don't want to make you wait," he said before turning.

"Oh, Tommy, can you also bring out the bottle of 1978 Montrachet white wine?"

"No problem, Mr. Anderson," he said before practically running inside the food area.

"What was that all about?" Kinsey asked, momentarily distracted from her irritation of him joining her without permission.

"What?" Austin asked, looking perplexed.

"Ah, the whole science thing?"

"Oh, that's nothing," Austin said, brushing it off. 

"Considering you joined my table without asking, it's my right to have you either provide a decent conversation, or remove yourself," Kinsey said, looking him in the eye.

She was surprised when he laughed, a deep-in-your-gut-make-your-stomach-hurt laugh. When he finally came up for air, Tommy was back and silently setting his requested appetizers on the table, along with the bottle of wine.

"Would you like me to open it?" he asked.

"No, it's fine. Thanks," Austin replied, and Tommy disappeared.

"Well?" Kinsey pushed.

"Okay, okay. I get it. I tutor some kids at one of the high schools nearby. It's not a big deal," he said, shifting in his seat, looking uncomfortable.

Kinsey was shocked. She knew the Anderson's donated a lot of money, but she didn't know any of them did actual volunteer work. She didn't want to learn this about Austin, didn't want to see him as a caring guy instead of the playboy he was.

"Oh," she finally responded, at a loss for words.

"You have to try this," Austin said, quickly changing the subject as he held up a light cracker with caviar on it. Kinsey looked at it with suspicion, but she'd wanted to try new things so she reached her hand out.

He pulled back so she couldn't take it, then lifted it to her lips. Automatically, her mouth opened to take the delicate morsel, a flare of heat flashing inside her as his thumb brushed her bottom lip. She didn't even taste the food as she swallowed, hoping she wouldn't choke.

"Thanks," she murmured as she picked up her glass, only to realize her drink was empty. When had she finished that?

"Try this," Austin said as he opened the bottle of wine and filled a glass before handing it to her.

She accepted it from him and took a sip, the delicate flavor drifting across her tongue and down her throat.

"Do I get to know your name?"

Kinsey looked at him, debating whether or not she wanted to give it to him. She knew he'd find out anyway, as she and Cassie were best friends. She didn't know how they hadn't run into each other before this night.

"Kinsey Shelton," she finally answered.

"Mmm, Kinsey. Beautiful name for a stunning woman."

"Oh, please. Mr. Lady Killer can certainly come up with a better line than that," she mocked, relieved to gain a bit of her wits back.

He once again laughed. She frowned at him, wondering what she could possibly do to annoy him enough to find other prey to hunt.

"Kinsey, you're quickly becoming unforgettable," he said, his face growing serious as his blue eyes locked in on her brown ones.

"That's no good as I have no interest in being remembered," she answered, her breath coming out raspy instead of forceful as she wanted.

Tommy arrived with their food, and they continued bantering back and forth as they consumed the exquisite cuisine. By the time Kinsey was staring at her empty dessert plate, she was regretting the amount she'd consumed. It was fantastic, but she'd have to work out for a week straight to burn off all the calories.

"Dance with me," Austin commanded as he rose from the table.

"You must really enjoy being told no," Kinsey said, surprised as she wobbled a bit when she got to her feet.

"I enjoy each sound that escapes from your delectable mouth," he countered as he stepped closer and placed his hand on her waist to steady her.

She knew she'd kick herself later, but she was tired of fighting her attraction to him. One dance couldn't hurt. They were surrounded by people.

"Okay," she said, enjoying the momentary surprise in his eyes.




 

 

He quickly recovered and grabbed her hand, leading her to a dark corner of the dance floor. He immediately pulled her into his arms, pressing her body close to his as the music played a romantic ballad.

One song led into the next, and time slipped away as she melted into him while he whispered in her ear, his lips trailing along her neck, his breath sending heat straight to her core. He moved his hands down the small of her back, then lower, his fingers caressing the rounded top of her backside, pulling her close, leaving no doubt he was aroused by their foreplay.

The music stopped as someone announced it was time for the bouquet to be thrown. Kinsey found it hard to process the words as she pulled away and found herself looking into his turbulent blue eyes, capturing her own and refusing to let go.