“Of course I don’t mind. I’ll be back in a second,” she said, turning to walk off.
“Thanks. And take Cameron with you.”
She swirled back around. “What? Why do I need to take Cameron with me?”
“Because Derek Peterson is here. Surprised the hell out of us.”
At the swift elbow he received in his side from Lena, Morgan glanced over at the Reverend and said apologetically, “Sorry about that. What I meant to say is that he surprised the heck out of us, since he dislikes the Steeles so much.”
“Who’s Derek Peterson?” Cameron asked curiously.
Morgan wanted to paint the true picture of the man, but out of respect for Reverend Carrington again, he merely said, “Let’s just say he’s a not-so-nice person who has it in for Vanessa.”
She frowned. “He doesn’t have it in for me, Morgan.”
Morgan chuckled. “Yes, he does. You almost crippled the man.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes. “That was almost six years ago.”
Morgan smiled. “Doesn’t matter. There are some things a man doesn’t forget and almost losing his balls—”
He cleared his throat and glanced over at the Reverend again. “I mean, almost losing his jewels is one of them.”
Reverend Carrington tried to hide his grin. “Please point this gentleman out to me. I definitely need to invite him to church on Sunday.”
“If you think it will help,” Morgan said, more than happy to oblige.
“The Word always helps,” was the minister’s response.
“Then I say go for it,” Morgan replied. “And you can kill—or save—two birds with one stone since he’s standing over there by the punch bowl talking to Cassandra Tisdale. I think she’s a person who will need to hear your sermon on Sunday, as well.”
Reverend Carrington nodded. “My sermon will be for everyone, so I’m looking forward to seeing your face in the congregation on Sunday, too, Mr. Steele.” He then walked off to where Derek and Cassandra were standing with their heads together.
“I’m going upstairs now,” Vanessa said, turning to walk off.
“Now that I’ve heard about this Derek guy, I think I’ll go with you after all.” Cameron followed in step beside her. He owed Morgan for this. Chances were Morgan hadn’t left his speech on his desk upstairs. Cameron had a feeling it was right in his friend’s pocket.
He and Vanessa didn’t say anything as they walked toward the bank of elevators. They slowed their steps when they heard loud, angry voices coming from behind a closed door, Vanessa chuckled.
Cameron glanced over at her. “What’s so funny?”
“From the sound of things, Sienna has finally gotten fed up and is giving her mother-in-law hell. It’s about time.”
They rounded a corner to the elevators. Luckily, one opened right away. The moment they stepped in and it closed behind them, Cameron could feel the heat. He moved to the far side of one wall and she moved to the other.
“I’m sorry that Morgan put you on the spot like that, Cameron. I really didn’t need an escort.”
He glanced over at her. “I don’t mind.”
He averted his eyes from her so he wouldn’t be tempted to close the distance between them, take her into his arms and kiss her. She looked so good in her red dress that showed just what a gorgeous pair of legs she had. And it didn’t take much to remember how those legs could wrap around him, holding him tight inside her and—
“How’s that problem going with your business in Texas?” she asked, looking everywhere but at him.
He released a deep sigh, glad for her interruption into his thoughts. “I’m hoping it’s been resolved. Time will tell.”
She nodded and turned to stare at the wall again. Moments later he couldn’t fight it any longer and looked at her. Gosh, he loved her. And he wanted her. Here. Now. Right this second. As if she read his thoughts, she slowly turned toward him.
The moment their gazes connected, sexual tension seemed to crackle in the air between them. He saw the deep look of desire in her eyes and took a step toward her at the exact moment the elevator came to a jolting stop.