Though the movement is probably imperceptible to anyone else, I notice how Hannah’s body immediately tenses up. I tighten my grasp.
“It’s a pleasure,” Hannah says without extending her hand. Most likely because it’s trapped behind me. I feel her finger poke into the small of my back.
Katherine is staring at Hannah, her mouth slightly agape. I glance over. Hannah’s skin is flushed. The last time I saw it this shade, she was under me wearing nothing but this lovely hue. I feel the heat rise in my own skin at that memory. The dress hugs her curves in all the right places. From this angle, I have a view of her cleavage, which is spectacular.
She might be going along with things for now, but I doubt she’d take kindly to me burying my face in it. But hell, if she were on board, the things I could—
“Callaghan!” Katherine’s voice is sharp, pulling me out of my daydream. “Is it true? Are you being signed?”
I have to laugh. Neither Katherine nor Hannah know what to do with that response. “Oh, Katherine. It’s nice to see things never change. Were you hoping to reconcile once I sign and am suddenly worth a lot more?”
Katherine glowers at me. “Do you really thinkshe’shere for anything else? It’s not like you bring a whole lot to the relationship other than your fame and money, Callaghan. I mean, what could you possibly have in common? Why else would she be with you?”
My ex-wife has never pulled any punches before, so it doesn’t surprise me that she hits below the belt. Also, because these are the thoughts I think to myself on a daily basis anyway.
“Actually, Cally and I have known each other for years.Years.He was a fantastic lay before he ever signed with Nevada, and he’s only gotten better with age.” Hannah reaches over and gingerly brushes my hair back off my forehead. “Not to mention, I very much appreciate a man who can not only give me multiple orgasms but can also discuss how the Battle of Kosovo in 1389 was directly responsible for the start of World War I.”
I’m not sure if I’m more stunned by her orgasm content or the fact that she still remembers random trivia from that history class all those years ago. However, if given the opportunity, I know which subject I’d like to revisit later.
And it has nothing to do with Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Katherine is momentarily rendered speechless. I’m going to owe Hannah so big. I look at her, smiling brightly. “Are you ready to go in?”
Her own smile tightens a little at the edges as she starts to pull away. “You know, I still can’t find that damn pass. I must have set it down somewhere, but I can’t for the life of me remember where.”
I reach inside my coat pocket and produce my spare. “You mean this one here?” I finally let Hannah go for as long as it takes to put the lanyard over her head, my knuckles brushing along her collarbones and the neckline of her dress for a brief instant.
Jesus, this small touch has me growing hard.
Hannah’s smile relaxes. “I should have known you’d have it.” She dips her chin before gazing up. “Thanks,” she says so quietly I can barely hear it.
“Ready?”
Hannah nods, and once again, I slide my arm around her waist, this time escorting her into the large event space. The room is dark and loud. It’s opulent and modern and the background din will make it hard to have a conversation. A waiter passes by with a tray of champagne. I grab two flutes, handing one to Hannah.
“Thanks,” I say. “Katherine’s ... a lot. I didn’t want to have to deal with her tonight of all nights.”
Hannah downs about half the contents of her glass before saying, “Is she right? Are you signing with ...” She nods to the large corporate display at the front of the room.
I shrug, ignoring the stab that shoots through the front of my right shoulder. “If all goes well, I could even get a billboard in Times Square.”
Hannah finishes her glass and immediately grabs another one. “Well, then, here’s to you, Cally Entay. You’re finally as hot as your name implies. You finally have it all.”
I laugh at her humor and meet her toast.
Even though I should be satisfied with the direction my life is going, as I look at Hannah, I can’t help but think there’s one more thing I want that I might not be able to have.
