“What?”
Her eyes flashed, but he wasn’t sure why. Was it sadness that she was leaving? Didn’t she want the long ride on a bike? Dare he think she didn’t want her time with him to end?
“I’ve got this … thing,” she said.
“Go on.” It wasn’t like her to be vague. She was a master with words, he knew that much about her.
“My father, I told you he’s mayor, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Each year, he holds a big garden party. It’s the talk of the town for the week before and the week after, anyone who is anyone is there. It’s happening Saturday.”
“The day you’re heading back.”
“Yes. And his new wife, Ellen, just called, hassling me about not having a date, said she’d organized some guys to be there for me to meet. She and Pops are always on about me getting a nice young man in my life, marry, babies, the whole thing, and it—”
“No fucking way.” He stood, a rush of energy going from his chest to his arms and legs. The thought of Leah being paraded in front of a bunch of rich idiots created an anger in him that heated his blood to boiling point.
“I beg your pardon?” she said.
“No fucking way. You’re not some doll to be auctioned off.”
She set her beer to one side and stood. “Carter.” She rested her hand on his arm.
He clenched his jaw, her touch reminding him of what it was like to touch her all over. He wanted to do that again, now, stake his claim.
The sudden grip of possessiveness was unexpected. It was a long time since he’d felt that craving for ownership. And he didn’t include Taff hitting on her, which didn’t count because he tried his luck on any female with a pulse.
“You’re not going,” he said. “I know I have no right to say that, it’s just…”
“I have to go.” She smoothed her hand up to his shoulder. “But as you’re taking me back to Pierce…”
“What?”
“Will you come with me?”
“To the party?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Wasn’t expecting you to say that, Leah.”
She smiled, melting away his anger. “I wasn’t expecting to say that either, but I figure you’ll be a good deterrent for all the Duncans and Benjamins vying for my attention.”
“Too damn right I will be.” He snapped her close, aligning his body with hers. “Look at you and they’re dead.”
“That might be a bit extreme.” She looped her hands around his neck. “And that would create a hell of a lot of paperwork for me to get you out on bail.”
He smiled and swept his lips over hers. “I don’t have a suit, you know, for this party.”
“I know.”
“They’ll have to take me as I am.”
“I happen to like how you are.”
“Oh, yeah?”