to me. I’ll do all the talking. Though it would be great if you could chime in that you also support this organization. People want to see who I’m with, and our job is to use that spotlight and turn it to Best Friends Care.”
“Got it.”
I risk a glance at him. Still stunningly gorgeous in his tux, and he smells wonderful, like fresh soap and man. Be strong, Harp. Friendly not flirty. “Don’t answer any questions about our relationship. I’ll handle that, but just so you know, the story is that Colton and I agreed to take a break a month ago. You and I met three weeks ago through Josie.”
“Easy enough. Are we exclusive?”
I consider that. “We’re exclusively dating because that’s what I do.” And what my boyfriends agree to as well, though few have remained faithful. Men suck.
“I always think it’s kinder to end it before moving on to the next person.”
My lips part. A man who believes in monogamy as basic human decency. Outstanding.
His lips curve up, his eyes sparkling with good humor. “Why do you look so surprised? Did you think I was a player?”
I open my mouth and close it again, not wanting to admit my current low opinion of men. “I don’t know you well enough to make any judgments. I was just surprised at how openly you express yourself.”
“Score one for the Beast.”
“Oh, you’re way too nice to be a beast,” I blurt.
He smiles, his eyes warm on mine. “Thank you.”
Heat rushes through me; butterflies dance in my stomach, every nerve ending alive. It’s just like when we first met, except it’s beyond lust now. Be smart. Protect yourself.
His gaze drops to my neck and then to my bare shoulder and back to my eyes. My skin heats everywhere he looks. Imagine if he actually touched me. “People would probably say this is just a rebound relationship. They’d know it wasn’t serious.”
I face front, needing to put some distance between us. “I’m not responsible for what people say. We stay on message, and that’s all we can do.”
“Do you usually only date actors?”
I turn back to him. “Usually that’s all I meet. I briefly dated a cameraman when I was twenty. He tried to sue me for emotional distress when we broke up. Now my dates are vetted first by my publicist.”
“I was vetted?”
“In a way. After I mentioned you to that reporter, my publicist looked into you. She shared about your royal connection, but that’s not why I asked you. I needed a date to the gala, that’s all.” I grimace because that sounds like I’m using him as a quick substitute for my cheating ex, which I kinda am, but I really do like him. He’s so much nicer than most guys I meet. “In my mind you’re here because of the Josie connection. And I enjoy talking to you.”
“I’m glad she connected us. Feel free to call or text whenever.”
My heart kicks harder. It sounds like he wants to get to know me. Not just the trappings around me, or even how fast he can get under my dress like most men. Am I being foolish hoping he’s different, or is he the real deal?
“Thank you,” I say softly. “That’s sweet.”
“Okay if I hold your hand?”
I blink, stunned that he asked. I’m not shy about getting physical once that ball’s rolling. In fact, I find it hard to stop myself, and then my emotions get all tangled up in the sex, and next thing you know, I’m nursing a broken heart. Suddenly holding hands feels like a slippery slope.
He offers me his palm. His hand is large and calloused from his work. What would those hands feel like on my bare skin? My boyfriends usually have soft hands. Some of them even get manicures. “I figure we’ve been dating for three weeks, so we should get comfortable with each other.”
Slippery slope! Defensive walls up!
I place my hand in his, and he closes his hand around it in a warm clasp. A hot shiver races down my spine. It’s not nerves. I’m excited. From something as innocent as holding hands.
He leans close, his deep voice rumbling in my ear, drawing another shiver. “I’ll hold your hand like this as we walk the red carpet. Unless you prefer my arm around you.”
Pure lust floods my body. I can’t think straight between his heat, his nearness, and his intoxicating scent that makes me want to bury my face in his neck and breathe