Resigned and aware this picture would show up somewhere in the papers or online tomorrow, Kade stepped closer to Lexie and wrapped his injured hand around her back. The photographer snapped a quick shot and disappeared, on to the next couple.
“Now where was I?” he asked, then held up his glass. “To … new beginnings.”
She hesitated before tilting her glass, touching his.
If he weren’t so sure the chemistry between them was hot and mutual, he’d be concerned with her reticence. But she was here, and when he wasn’t looking directly at her, she was sneaking glimpses of him. Whatever had her uncertain, it wasn’t a lack of attraction or desire.
“I like it when we’re not bickering,” she mused.
“Is that what we do? I thought it was you calling me out on asshole behavior.”
She grinned and took a sip, allowing the bubbles to slide down her throat. He couldn’t look away, his gaze drawn to the slender column of her neck, his hearing attuned to the purr of approval that escaped her lips. “Mmm.”
“If you make that sound again, I just might drag you into the nearest coat closet and fuck you senseless.”
She choked on a sip of champagne, and heat tinged her cheeks, her mouth parting in a silent O. Add in the sudden hitch in her breathing and he knew she was as into the idea as he was.
Not that he’d take her that way their first time, but he couldn’t deny the notion had distinct appeal. He reined in his inappropriate thoughts because his dick was standing at attention and they were in a ballroom full of people. Nothing had been discussed about taking whatever their relationship was to that next level. But he wanted to.
He placed his glass on the table just as a familiar voice called out his name. “Kade!”
He turned. “Dad!” he exclaimed, taken off guard.
“Dad?” Lexie asked, surprise etching her features.
Shit. He’d forgotten his father was also a major donor at this event because it was important to Kade. Say what you want about his father, but he tried to please his son any way he could.
“Don’t look so shocked to see me. I’m here every year, just like you,” his dad said.
But Kade had been so wrapped up in thinking about Lexie and in the issues with Julian, he’d forgotten. “It’s good to see you, Dad.”
His father pulled him into a bear hug, and Kade returned the gesture, aware of Lexie’s eyes on him the entire time.
“What did you do to your hand?” his father asked, concerned, as he glanced at the splint.
“Nothing. Just an accident.”
He frowned before meeting Kade’s gaze once more. “Well, it’s been too long. You really need to come visit your father.” Keith turned to Lexie, a wide smile on his face. “And who is the pretty young lady?” he asked before Kade could get a word in to introduce her.
“Lexie Parker,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m Kade’s a—”
“Date. She’s my date,” he said before she could put the assistant barrier between them. Which he was certain she’d been about to do, and he wanted to know why.
But he also jumped in and clarified things, more for her benefit than his father’s. Because his goal at the end of the night was to convince her to come home with him after the event ended. Anything less was unacceptable, and if she started thinking about the fact that she worked for him, he wouldn’t be able to get her into his bed.
His father’s smile widened at the pronouncement that Lexie was his date. “It’s great to meet you, Lexie. Kade doesn’t normally bring a date to these events, so it’s a real treat.”
“Dad,” Kade said in warning. He didn’t need the old man embarrassing him with details about his life.
But Keith was on a roll and continued, ignoring Kade’s irate tone. “It’s even rarer that I get to meet someone he’s seeing so—”
“Dad! Can you give it a rest? Please?” Kade asked, annoyed he didn’t just drop it.
Keith waved a hand in a dismissive gesture. “Oh, please. Let a father be happy for his son. She’s a beautiful woman.”
“Yes, she certainly is,” Kade agreed.
Lexie blushed a deep crimson. “Thank you,” she murmured.