him nervous.”
“Why would he feel nervous around you, especially if you’ve known each other for so long?”
“Because Powers knows that when he drinks a little too much, he lets secrets slip out. I suppose he’s worried that I might try to steal some.”
“Steal some... secrets?”
Garth nodded. “Wine secrets, mainly.”
She forced a laugh. “Oh, Garth, you don’t seem like the kind of man to steal from other people.”
“I’m not, but I love making him think he’s accidentally said something wrong.”
“You’re terrible.” She teasingly slapped his shoulder. “Does he do the same to you?”
“Of course, not. I’m not a drunk. I’m sure you saw that story about him earlier this week about how he was so drunk he lost twenty-thousand dollars in gambling.”
Her heart twisted. It was her fault that people were laughing and ridiculing Thomas behind his back. Now, more than ever, she wished she’d never taken those pictures. She frowned. “Yes, I did read about that unfortunate moment.”
“Now, don’t feel sorry for him. He deserved everything that was written about him. He’s not been a very nice man.”
She tilted her head, studying his expression. Was he telling her the truth or just trying to make himself look better in her eyes? “You mean, he acts like you’re acting now?”
Garth laughed loudly. “I only act this way toward your friend, Morgan. Powers, on the other hand, is like this to everyone.”
She’d admit that Thomas was pompous a time or two, but she didn’t think he was mean to everyone – except photographers from the tabloids, of course. “I’m sorry you think so, Garth, because since I’ve known him, I’ve only seen him lose his temper once, and it was justified.”
“Then you must not know him very well.”
Garth’s suspicious smile and the way he tried to smolder made her physically ill. Now she wished she had turned him down when he asked her to dance.
Finally, the song ended, and she couldn’t wait to get out of his arms. But when a slow song started and he pulled her closer, she was sure she was going to lose what little she had in her stomach all over him.
“Actually, I don’t think so...”
Thomas’ deep voice came from behind as his muscular arm slid around her waist, pulling her away from Garth. She gasped and turned toward Thomas, grasping the lapels of his suit jacket.
“Sorenson, she promised this dance to me.” Thomas threw Garth a glare, bringing Morgan closer.
Garth nodded. “Thanks for the dance, Morgan. I hope to see you around.”
“You won’t,” Thomas snapped, “because she’ll be with me.”
When Garth walked away, she smiled at Thomas. “I’ll be with you?”
“Most definitely. Have you forgotten that I’m your hemorrhoid?”
She threw back her head and laughed. When he wrapped his arms around her, pressing her closer to him, her laughter slowly disappeared. He was looking at her that way again, but for some reason, she didn’t mind so much now.
“I hope it’s okay that I rescued you from that octopus.”
“Yes, Thomas. It’s okay. In fact, I was trying to think of a reason to get away from him... before I threw up all over him.”
“Oh, dang. I should have let you dance with him a little longer. I would have loved to see the look on his face when that happened.”
She slid her hands up his chest and hooked her wrists together around his neck. He was a tall man, but then she was pretty tall, too. It was nice to look up to a man instead of looking down while she danced.
“I’m surprised,” she said after a few moments of silence, “that you would allow Garth to stay at your party.”
“Why does that surprise you?”
“Aren’t you afraid he might steal secrets from you?”
Thomas’ grin widened. “Actually, that’s one of the reasons I don’t throw him out.”
She shook her head. “I’m confused.”
“Well, you see,” his hands drew small circles on her back, “I know that’s why he comes uninvited to my parties, so... I don’t disappoint.”
“I still don’t see what you’re saying.”
“I’ll admit that I have gotten pretty drunk a time or two, but whenever he is around, I only act that way. He chums up to me and I just... well, I say things about how to make my wine.”
“Why would you do that?”
“Because I don’t tell him the truth. The so-called secrets that spill from my mouth are ways to make his wine taste worse if that’s possible.”
Shock buzzed through her, catching her off guard. “Oh, my gosh! Thomas, you are so terrible.” She snuggled