Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 312(@200wpm)___ 249(@250wpm)___ 208(@300wpm)
“Sorry to run, but I see an old friend. I’ll meet you all inside the ballroom.” Asher excused himself and walked across the room, meeting up with none other than Knox.
One look at him in a tuxedo and she was done for. If she thought he looked hot in a sport jacket, seeing the man in formal wear nearly bought her to her knees. Especially since she now knew what it felt like to push the dress shirt off his shoulders and press her lips to that sexy, muscular chest.
He caught her looking at him, and his smoldering gaze met hers. Those lips lifted in an alluring smile, even as he continued to talk to Asher. Still looking her way, he raised his whiskey glass, paused, and took a sip. She couldn’t stop staring at his every gesture, finding each movement mesmerizing.
She heard her name being called and reluctantly turned away but not before acknowledging one pertinent fact. If he asked her to come home with him again, she’d find it impossible to say no.
* * *
Knox wished he’d been able to switch up the seating cards so he could be next to Jade during the long dinner and interminable speeches that followed the meal. Instead, Holly talked about her wedding options, and her fiancé, Miles, listened indulgently. At least Holly had picked a good man. Knox was comfortable with his sister’s choice and felt confident she’d be happy with the attorney who hung on her every word. Her groom-to-be also knew how to interrupt her without being rude. And even Knox had to laugh at how smooth the guy’s moves were, as he swept Holly off to the dance floor when he’d had enough talk of cake and color schemes.
Knox, on the other hand, would wait until closer to the end of the evening before making his move on the woman he wanted in his arms.
But it wouldn’t hurt to get started. So he rose and strode across the room with one purpose in mind—to corner Jade, who’d been darting from person to person, making certain the important people tonight were happy, catering to Aurora and Sasha, who ran the charity… and avoiding Knox. He had no doubt he’d been unable to get a word with her because she was deliberately dodging him.
She wore a sleeveless floral gown in a mixture of blues that set off her unique indigo eyes. The deep V neckline plunged down both the front and back of the dress, revealing skin he wanted to run his tongue over and taste again. After he devoured those bright red lips, of course.
The hem of her dress pooled on the floor. With her sleek, straightened hair, she gave off a statuesque, regal impression. Any man would be proud to have her on his arm.
She stood beside a younger woman with pink hair, and they appeared to be in deep conversation. Using her distraction to his advantage, he stepped up beside her and waited until they finished their talk.
“Thanks, Billie. I’m glad you and Aurora are happy with the turnout. I’ve been on top of everything. Let me know if there’s anything else we can do for you.”
“Will do.” The young woman smiled and walked away.
Jade drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, as if she needed to calm her nerves.
He stepped up behind her. “Anything I can do to help you relax?”
“Knox.” Jade turned, her lips parted, and all he could think of was having that mouth wrapped around his cock.
Knowing it wasn’t the time or the place for him to react to that thought, he slid a hand around her waist. “How about a dance?”
She shook her head. “I really should keep an eye on the party.”
“You’ve been doing that all night.”
“How would you know?” she asked.
He couldn’t stop his grin. “Because I’ve been keeping an eye on you. Come on. The music just changed. You can fit in a slow dance with me.” Without waiting for her to agree, he guided her toward the parquet floor in the center of the room.
“I really need to be working,” she said as he eased her into his arms and they began to sway to the music.
If her actions or body movement had matched her words, he’d have let her go. But instead, she placed one hand in his and allowed him to lead her in their small area of the crowded floor.
“You look stunning,” he said as they began to move.
Her cheeks took on a light flush. “Thank you. You’re pretty handsome yourself in that tuxedo,” she murmured, brushing a palm over his lapel.
“Good to know you still like what you see.”
She’d started off stiff, but the longer they danced, the more her soft body molded to his, reminding him of how perfectly they fit together.