Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61851 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 309(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“I’m pretty sure my mother is feeling the same way about me and isn’t sure what to do with the fact that both of her children have disappointed and defied her.” His sensual lips turned downward, and she hated that his earlier good mood had changed because of his mother’s behavior.
Jessica stopped him before they reached their table. Not caring who watched, she grasped the lapels of his tuxedo jacket, making sure she had his full attention before she spoke. “I don’t want your mother to ruin what has been a very pleasant evening so far, so just take a deep breath and let it go so we can have fun for the rest of the night.”
He exhaled long and hard, then slowly smiled at her, his anger gone. “Thank you. I needed that,” he murmured, gratitude glittering in his gaze. He braced his hands on her hips, his fingers curling into her in an intimate, caring gesture.
“My pleasure.” He deserved to be relaxed and happy.
“Sometimes I need reminding that my mother shouldn’t have control over my emotions. Besides, I’d rather focus all my energy and attention on you.”
Jessica loved the way that sounded. “Same here.”
“Shall we?” He gestured forward and they found their table, then took their seats.
They spent an hour enjoying a delicious five-course meal and idle conversation with their dinner companions, followed by a speech from his father thanking everyone for coming and for their generous donations. He spoke about his presidential aspirations and the issues he intended to tackle should he decide to run for the highest office in the country. The speech ended with an obligatory standing ovation and segued into after-dinner dancing and a silent auction.
Unlike Club Ten29, where the music was deliberately loud, raucous, and invited a whole lot of dirty dancing, this band kept to the slower classics, and Jessica was pleasantly surprised when Derek led her out to the dance floor and pulled her into his embrace, their bodies aligning intimately. With one of his arms wrapped around her waist to keep her close and his other hand holding hers, they swayed to the music, their gazes locked, both of them smiling.
The warm, masculine scent of his cologne seduced her senses, and the feel of his hard thighs sliding against hers sparked a deeper need. There was nothing overtly sexual about their position—every other couple was dancing the same way—yet the closeness left her breathless and aroused.
His eyes darkened as they stared into hers, the blazing heat there sizzling across her skin. “So, I think my obligation here is done, and I’m ready to leave so I can have you all to myself.”
She nodded much too eagerly and didn’t care. “I just need to go to the ladies’ room, and I’m all yours.”
A searing look crossed his features at her words as he guided her off the dance floor. “I’ll wait for you over by the entrance,” he said, gesturing to the front of the ballroom.
She headed into the women’s lounge, took care of business, and washed her hands, then she stepped out of the ladies’ room and made her way to where Derek said he’d be waiting . . . except he wasn’t alone. He stood with Claire, at least two feet separating them. His hands were shoved into the front pockets of his pants, his body language tense.
Jessica couldn’t say she was surprised that his ex-fiancée had made a move on Derek when he was by himself, and she waited for her stomach to twist with the usual doubts and insecurities Claire brought about—but none came. Oddly enough, Jessica no longer felt threatened by her old nemesis because she trusted Derek completely.
Instead, annoyance filled her. She was tired of Claire and her continued persistence when she wasn’t wanted. As Jessica made her way through the guests to Derek, she watched Claire’s expressions—which ran the gamut from sly to seductive to irritation, then pleading. She couldn’t hear their conversation yet, but Claire’s changing features spoke volumes. As did Derek’s indifferent reaction to whatever she was saying.
As Jessica approached, Derek held up a hand, cutting Claire off. “I really don’t know how to make this any clearer. We’re done. I’ve moved on, and you need to do the same.”
Jessica joined him and he automatically wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close. The gesture was both possessive and protective—not that she needed protecting from Claire—but for one of the few times in her life, she felt both wanted and secure.
Claire’s mouth parted, her shock obvious before she schooled her features into a bland mask and raised her chin, her gaze narrowing on Jessica. “You’ll never be good enough for him.” She spoke in low tones, obviously not wanting anyone to overhear her lose control. “You might think you got your dream guy, the one you wrote about in your journals in high school, but there is no way it’s going to last.”