Page 66 of Hart of Redemption
A mixture of anger and understanding had me gripping my glass tightly. “My purpose here is to support the charity, nothing more. As far as Duke and me, our business is our own.” I swung my gaze between the two ladies. “Having said that, I wouldn’t act any other way except cordial and polite. Now, if you two will excuse me.”
I took one step then another, finding it difficult to walk in high heels when my legs were shaky.
I adored Grace, but she was too much to handle.
“Don’t, Grace,” Maggie said behind me. “Where’s Dominic?”
I was curious about Dominic but didn’t hear the rest as I weaved through the crowd, looking for no one. The only familiar faces belonged to members of the Hart family. I hadn’t spotted Duke or Brian yet, and frankly, I needed air. I was about to head outside and walk down to the pier to collect my thoughts when I spied Duke out of the corner of my eye, and my body decided to stop short.
I lost the air in my lungs.
Duke in a suit was hot. Duke in a T-shirt and jeans—sexy. Duke in a tuxedo—rip-roaring panty melting.
Those mahogany eyes raked over me slow and sure, and I felt as though he was licking every inch of me. My pussy thought so, too, because it was throbbing faster than the beat of the music filling the room—or maybe that was my pulse.
Lord, please help. My determination not to give in to my desires was wavering. I knew he was the enemy, but why did he have to be so heart-stoppingly handsome?
Brian McCauley, a nice-looking man, big and blond, leaned close to Duke and whispered something in his ear. Then Brian clapped Duke on the shoulder and came toward me.
I kick-started my saltwater-taffy legs in Duke’s direction.Be the bigger person.
“Joy, good to see you,” Brian said in passing with a cheeky grin.
I couldn’t say the same. I was tempted to follow Brian. Tonight might be my best opportunity to chat with him. I knew he wouldn’t share his secrets, but I had to start somewhere in getting to know Brian, especially if my assignment went on for months.
But Brian became a distant memory as Duke straightened and gave me his most thigh-dampening smile that was reserved only for me.
“Hi.” My greeting came out sounding strangled and odd.
He kissed me on the cheek then lingered near my ear. “You’re absolutely breathtaking.”
Heat pinched my cheeks and soaked my panties while goose bumps popped up along my arms and neck. “Thank you.”
God, he smelled wonderful. Even the butterflies freaking out inside my stomach thought so too.
“We need to act like we are friends and be nice to each other. Otherwise, Maggie might put us in time-out if there’s any drama between us during dinner.”
He chuckled. “Is that so?” He sighed. “I can do that. Can you?”
“Of course, but there will always be tension between us.”
“Sexual,” he mumbled.
I rolled my eyes. “Is that the only thing on your mind?”
“Not at all.” He covered my hand with his. “I can’t read the future, but I know one thing whether you know it or not.” His lips found my ear. “You. Are. Mine.”
Despite the wedge between us—criminal versus federal agent—I believed him.
25
DUKE
With Joy by my side, the night was turning out to be one big blur. I hardly touched my chicken. It had been rubbery anyway. I couldn’t think with Joy beside me. I’d managed not to reach over and slide my hand up her dress during dinner. And that dress? Fuck me. The backless sheath had me draping my arm over her chair and, every now and then, running my finger over her neck or shoulder. She hadn’t protested or flinched, which surprised me. Probably because Maggie wanted us to be nice to each other.
As I listened to Dillon on stage, telling his guests about his life story and how his idea of a shelter for battered women was born, I was still tracing circles on Joy’s neck and playing with wispy strands of her hair.
“I thought by now you would’ve stopped me from touching you,” I whispered in her ear.
