was so large and in command. I adored seeing his confidence, the way he carried himself. He’d become a serious business leader, and he acted the part. Best of all, I loved the way he treated me—holding my hand, gazing at me with open affection, making it clear we were a couple. I felt so lucky to be with him.
The band started to play and Aaron left to go talk to a business associate at another table. Amanda asked me to dance, so we went out on the dance floor. I didn’t know any fancy moves, but I could manage a slow dance with some twirls and a basic waltz step. It was fun. Me and my restless energy. I never liked to sit still for long.
After two dances, an older man from Montgomery Enterprises, Mr. Martinez from procurement, tapped my shoulder and asked to take my place. I left him dancing with Amanda. Was there something there? I thought there might be. I grinned as I made my way back to my seat.
“Hi. I was wondering if you’d care to dance?” The man who stepped in front of me was immediately recognizable. He was an actor I’d recently seen in a horror flick—young, stunning, with dark, Latin-lover good looks.
I gawked. “You’re . . . oh, wow. Hi.”
He took my hand. “I saw you on the red carpet. I was hoping I’d have a chance to catch you alone. What’s your name, beautiful?”
“Uh . . . Bill. Billy.” Jesus, I was a dork.
“Mmm. Billy.” He leaned in close and whispered in my ear. “Will you dance with me, Billy?”
It suddenly occurred to me that he was flirting. I pulled my hand back. “Sorry. I’m here with my boyfriend.”
The guy pouted. “It’s just a dance. I’m sure he won’t mind.”
He tried to take my hand again, but I stepped back. “No thanks. But you were awesome in Blade of Darkness. It was nice to meet you! Bye!”
I walked away before he could grab me again, shaking my head, bemused. Wow. It was crazy the people you met at these things.
Before I reached our table, an arm wrapped around my waist and someone pulled me close. I was about to struggle when I realized it was Aaron. He nuzzled my hair and I slumped back into him, a huge smile on my face. “Hey, you.”
“Hey.”
He turned me to face him and stared into my eyes, his expression strangely serious.
“What?” I asked.
“I love you.”
I laughed. “I love you, too. But what brought that on?”
“Just you.” He brushed his mouth against my lips. “Do you want to dance?”
I glanced at the dance floor. Aaron rarely offered. I knew his limp bothered him when we danced.
“What I’d really like,” I said, “is to go back to the hotel and get out of this monkey suit and into my pj’s. Then have sex. Then order a pizza. TCM is showing Hour of the Wolf at midnight.” I waggled my eyebrows hopefully.
He enveloped me in a hug, holding me tight against him. “As you wish, my princeling.”
He was teasing, but there was something so serious about him that I didn’t smile. I gave him curious glances as we said our goodbyes and left the Roosevelt ballroom.
Our hotel was only a few blocks away, so we walked. As I’d promised, as soon as we were in the door, I stripped out of the tux and put on flannel pajama pants and a thermal shirt. It was warm for September, but I’d turned up the AC to get the hotel room cool. I loved wearing flannel pj’s at night.
Also as promised, we had sex—me riding Aaron. It was my favorite position. Sitting up on him, looking down at his dead-sexy self, always turned me on. It was urgent and intense. Going out in public together, seeing each other through the admiring glances of others, always gave our lovemaking an edge.
Afterward, we lay together. The bed was big and super comfy. Outside the window, the lights of Manhattan glittered. What a life.
“Are you sure you don’t want to move back to New York?” I asked on a whim.
“Never.” Aaron rolled half on top of me, looking intently at my face. “Are you sure you don’t want to date other people?”
“Never,” I said firmly.
He stared at me a moment longer, then brought up his hand and put something on my bare chest. It was a small blue velvet box.
I gasped in shock, grabbed the box, and scooted up in bed. “Aaron