The conversation was a little awkward after that, so Dane and I mostly talked between ourselves. The waiter soon returned, poured more drinks, and took orders for the upcoming dinner.
“I hope they hurry with the food,” I told Dane. “I’m starving.”
“They’ll hold the auction first,” he said.
“You planning to bid on anything?”
“I’m planning to win.”
“And you’re so sure you’ll procure whatever you bid on?”
He gave me a pitying look, as if I was dumb as a rock for thinking differently. He also managed to later win the two pieces of art he bid on. Well, of course he did.
Once the auction was over, the meals arrived. Talk flowed easily around our table as people ate, although both Dane and Kent mostly ignored Travis, who became increasingly obnoxious the more he drank.
After the dinner was over and soft music began to play, Dane took my hand. “Dance with me.” It wasn’t a request.
On the dance floor, he drew me so close I was pressed up against him. Which basically sent my nerve-endings into a frenzy. Standing tall, he splayed one hand on my lower back as we swayed—slow, sensual, intimate.
Other couples danced around us, but I paid them no attention. I was far too caught up in the way Dane’s dark eyes stared into mine, as soft and warm as hot chocolate. God, he should have been an actor.
“You didn’t tell me Travis’s friend came onto you,” he said, his voice so low and smooth I almost missed the anger there. “When did that happen?”
“A month or so ago.”
“And I didn’t learn of this why?”
I shrugged. “It wasn’t worth reporting. He asked me out. I said no. Get rid of the frown. You’re supposed to look happy.”
His mouth twitched into a smile. “That’s right, I am.” He stroked the pads of his fingers along my back. “If someone puts any moves on you again, I want to hear about it.”
I gave a slow nod. “All right. So, I know why Travis and Hope don’t like that you’re dating someone. What’s Jen’s problem? Do you think she’s eager for Kent to get his share of your trust fund?”
He hesitated to answer. “I can’t be certain what her issue is.”
“You didn’t expect her to be rude to me, did you?”
“No. But Jen’s a complicated person. She’ll no doubt feel bad about it later.”
Maybe, but neither Hope nor Travis would. Making a conscious effort not to let my irritation show in my expression, I said, “It annoys me that Travis is so intent on having a share of your trust fund.”
“He feels that he has more of a right to it than I do because I’m more financially comfortable than he is. But even if I wasn’t, he’d still want his share. Really, he doesn’t have many scruples—hence why he cheats on Hope so often. But she does the same to him, so …” Dane shrugged.
I shook my head, not understanding why they’d stay together if they were going to disrespect themselves and each other that way. “Do Kent and Jen have a better relationship?”
“Yes, although they’re not as close as they once were. And, going by some of the things Kent has said, they argue so frequently he once considered moving out for a while to give them both some space. I don’t think he’d have married so young if the conditions of his trust fund hadn’t been what they were. I think he might have waited for someone who’s better suited to him to come along.”
“Have you held out as long as you have because you had some hope that you’d meet someone you cared for?”
“No. I just wasn’t in a rush to get my hands on the money the way my brothers were; I wanted to make my own way in life.”
And he had, which I deeply respected. He’d set up o-Verve on his own, and he’d built it up through sheer hard work.
I lowered my voice to a whisper as I asked, “If I’d said no to marrying you, what would you have done? Asked one of your other employees?”
“No. I’d have hounded you until you said yes.”
I blinked. “You’re not serious.”
“When do I ever joke?”
“Never, but—”
“Vienna, I’m a man who gets what he wants. Always. No exceptions. I never stop or back down until I have it.”
I didn’t want to find that a turn-on, but I did, and I hoped that it wasn’t written all over