We tapped the rims of our glasses and sipped. When I’d said the words I’d known they were true—keeping my normal work and my less-than-legal life separate had been essential.
But with April, it was different. All I could think about with her was how she made me want to take my boundaries down, to toss aside whatever professionalism I’d mustered with her and make our relationship into something more.
All I could think about was how much I wanted her.
They were bad, bad thoughts. But I couldn’t help myself. Something about the woman made me feel like I was on the verge of losing control. Actually, it was worse than that—she made me want to lose control.
I sipped the wine, wondering if the booze lowering my inhibitions was really a good idea.
“Come on,” I said, offering her my arm. “Let’s make the rounds.”
She smiled as she slid her hand into the crook of my elbow, sipping her wine. My attention went right to those full, red lips. For a moment I imagined those same lips on my own…not to mention what else she could do with them.
Get it together. Of all nights to be thinking about sex…
April and I spent the next hour making a slow lap around the party. I did some glad-handing, catching up with familiar faces. And I introduced April. She handled herself with grace and composure, like she was born to move in these circles.
I was impressed. She was a tough woman, no doubt, but part of me had been nearly as worried as she had that she might be overwhelmed by the evening. But she was no such thing.
After doing a meet-and-greet with a few other big names in the financial sector, I spotted Scott standing near one of the doors to the stairs. Shauna wasn’t with him, and he had a serious expression on his face, his eyes on me.
He wanted to talk—it was obvious.
I stopped April, nodding toward Scott.
“What’s up?” she asked.
“It’s Scott—need to take a few minutes with him. Business stuff. You going to be fine for a few minutes on your own?”
April offered a slight smile in response. “I think so. Kind of got the lay of the land.”
I placed my hand on her slender upper arm. “You’re doing great. Making a hell of an impression—and in a good way.”
She let out a breath of air and sighed. “All right. I was a little worried.”
“Not at all—you’re a natural.” And I meant it. It was almost surprising how well she was handling herself.
“I’ll be back in a minute. Grab another drink, and get some fresh air.”
At that moment, a strange urge overtook me. I wanted to lean in and kiss her softly on the cheek—the kind of kiss you give to someone you care about when leaving for a moment.
It felt so natural, so habitual, that it almost scared me. I didn’t do it, of course, instead giving her arm one last squeeze before turning and heading through the doors where Scott had been only a few moments before. The music from the party quieted to a low din as the doors shut behind me. I trotted up the stairs, eager to get to Scott and hear what he had to say.
The stairs led to the second floor, and down the carpeted hall I spotted my brother on the balcony. Moments later I stepped out, and he glanced back as I approached.
“Having fun?” he asked.
“A blast as always.”
“And how’s your date?”
“Fitting in well, I think.”
“For now,” he said before taking a sip of his drink.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, nothing. Just thinking about what might happen if it were to get out that she’s your nanny.”