go?” he asks, turning at my side and extending his elbow.
I place my hand in the crook of his arm and say, “Ready.”
He leads me to the kitchen, where we find my dad sipping a cup of fresh coffee, a distant smile on his lips. “Heading out?” he asks when he sees us approach.
“We are. Thank you for agreeing to come and help with Oliver,” Mack says, extending his hand to my dad.
When he shakes it, my dad replies, “It’s my pleasure, Mack.” His eyes flick to me. “Take care of my baby girl.”
Mack glances at me and smiles. “With my life.”
He leads me out of the house and to an awaiting limo. “What’s this?” I ask, completely stunned by the arrival of tonight’s transportation.
He looks at the shiny black car and shrugs. “I thought it might be difficult to get in and out of my truck in a dress, so I decided to rent this.” He almost looks uncertain as he glances my way.
“That’s very considerate, Mack. Thank you.”
The driver opens the back door and a loud noise erupts from the back. Mack sighs. “You may be wishing you had taken the chance with the truck after I tell you who’s all in there.”
“Lena!” Fish bellows from the open door of the limo. “Damn, girl. You look positively edible. Have you finally realized you’re with the wrong man yet?” Fish asks, winking and smiling as his best friend growls behind me.
Mack places a protective hand on my lower back and we step toward the vehicle. “I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?” he whispers, as I go to slide into the car.
I glance back and wink. “Definitely.”
My date follows me into the spacious car and takes the seat right beside me. His hand is instantly on my knee—my bare knee, thanks to the slit of the dress. “Lena, you remember Coop. This gorgeous lady is his better half, Beth.”
“Pleasure to meet you, Lena. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Beth replies, a warm and friendly smile on her red lips.
I quickly glance to Mack, curious as to what he would have said to his crew chief’s wife, and reply, “It’s a pleasure, Beth.”
Across the car, Fish clears his throat. “Did you forget about me?” he asks his best friend.
Mack shakes his head and leans back in the seat, his hand moving from my knee to rest on the seat back. “Nope, not at all.”
Fish leans forward and takes my hand, bringing it to his lips and placing a kiss on my knuckles. “You look stunning, Lena. If my dumbass friend here doesn’t sweep you off your feet tonight, you let me know, ‘kay?”
I can’t help but laugh. “I’ll do that, Fish.”
The big guy sits back and sends a wolfish grin to his best friend. “Hear that?”
Mack just relaxes in the seat. His arm adjusts so his fingers graze against my shoulder and neck. “I heard. Too bad for you I don’t plan to let her out of my sight this evening.”
The combination of his words and the subtle touches on my bare skin send tingles of lust sweeping through my body. For the first time since I got dressed, I’m grateful for the slightly padded strapless bra I decided to wear under this dress. It’s the only thing keeping my nipples from giving away just how much his words affect me.
Fish just nods. “Good.” He throws me a wink before turning to Coop and Beth and asking about their daughters.
The rest of the ride is filled with listening to tales from Coop and Beth, and the occasional question about Oliver. Mack is eager to talk about his son, sharing stories of bath times and walks around the neighborhood. Before too long, we’re arriving at The Garland for tonight’s event.
Nerves sweep through me as the door opens. Mack slips out first and extends his hand to me. Flashes from cameras almost blind me as I exit the vehicle, overwhelmed with the chaotic scene around me. There are members of the press everywhere, screaming Mack’s name and taking his picture. Our picture. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn’t it.
“Deep breath, Lean. It won’t be this bad inside. Hicks always makes a big deal of these galas, inviting all sorts of money from all over. The proceeds from the silent auction will go to a charity,” he tells me softly, guiding me across the red carpeting toward the front door.