The Galveston Steak House was the Texas entrepreneur Atticus Bowen’s brainchild.It was a historic building that had formerly been the Bank of Marietta.It’s previous existence as a bank made for an unusual restaurant with white marble, fancy columns, a black-and-white marble floor, high ceilings, velvet-covered booths, and gorgeous chandeliers.The temporary tables and stools scattered around the foyer were tastefully done, draped in white tablecloths, with sprigs of flowers in crystal holders.
At the moment the place was chock-full of people.It wasn’t a sit-down dinner but rather heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks.There was also a silent auction with items to bid on from trips funded by several businesses, to various baskets full of items from local stores.There was even a surprise mystery gift that Ryan had heard was a car from a dealership over in Livingston.He figured it might be since the bidding started at ten grand.A bit too much in his opinion, but some of the guests were hospital donors who had plenty of money to spend.
“You’re not going to bid on the mystery prize, are you?”Aria asked him.
He shook his head.“Too rich for my blood.Especially since we don’t know for sure what it is.”
“It’s for a good cause,” she intoned, with mischief in her eyes.
“It is.But I’m not bidding on it.”
There was also a band in one of the rooms.Ryan wasn’t a huge fan of dancing but he knew Aria loved to dance.After they’d mingled some and had some food and drink he held out his hand and said, “Want to dance?”
“You’re pulling out all the stops tonight.”
“What do you mean?”He led her into the other room and pulled her into his arms.
“I know you hate to dance.”
“I don’t hate it.”Well, only a little.“Besides, getting to hold you close in a slow dance makes it worthwhile.”
In fact, he felt like he was in a dream.Holding Aria in his arms and slowly moving to the music, smelling her scent, smooth and seductive as hell, content to simply hold each other and sway to the music.
Until some jerk cut in.He tapped Ryan on the shoulder and said, “Mind if I cut in?”
“Ted?”Aria said.
So, a jerk who apparently knew Aria.
Why yes, he minded very much.
Aria introduced the two of them.“Ted Jenkinson this is Ryan Hunter.Ryan, this is Ted.We knew each other in Denver.”She turned back to the man.“Ted, what are you doing here?This isn’t your usual haunt.”
“Worthy causes and all that.A friend of mine asked me to come and consider donating to the hospital and when I heard you were here I couldn’t resist,” Ryan heard him say as the man swept her away.
“You look like you swallowed a lemon,” Connor said in his ear.
“What kind of asshole cuts in when you’re having a slow dance with your lady?”
“Probably a very rich one.Who is he?”
“A donor she knows from Denver.He was hitting on her.”
Connor looked at the two.“Maybe he’s just friendly.”
“Bullshit,” Ryan said, eyeing the couple.
His friend laughed.“I’m headed over to get Sierra a soft drink.Want to come with?”
“No, thanks.”He planned to stand there until Aria returned, assuming the jerk ever let her go.Luckily the song ended shortly and the dipshit brought Aria back.
“I’m here for a couple more days,” Ted said.“Give me a call if you can get together.We should do lunch.”He nodded at Ryan and left.
Ryan wasn’t ordinarily a violent man, but he’d have given anything to punch the SOB in the mouth.Or nose.Or…
“Down, boy,” Aria said.“You look like you want to murder him.I’m not planning to call him.”
“Good.What is his problem?”
