AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Mackenzie signaled his turn and shook his head. There were things he was willing to compromise on—letting her cozy up to Hubber was one of them—but damn if he was going to wait until midnight to get her alone.
“Too late.”
“But—”
He shot her a look that stopped her cold. “Try again.”
She licked her lips and cleared her throat. “Eleven? I can’t leave earlier than that. I promised Blair that I’d make sure the silent auction was wrapped up and—”
“Blair Hubber can find someone else to help him out. Ten o’clock and we’re out of there.”
“Ten? But—”
He nailed her with a hot look as they pulled into the large sports complex. “Ten.”
He pulled into a parking spot and cut the engine.
“But what will people think?”
“Do you think I give a shit what anyone thinks?”
Mackenzie tugged off his seat belt and slid across the seat until he was close enough to reach down and press his mouth against hers. God, she was so soft and warm and feminine.
He slid his mouth over hers, his tongue delving inside to tease and taste while his hands cupped her face to hold her steady. He kissed her gently, his mouth coaxing and soft, but when she whimpered and leaned into him, he went deeper. Harder. He branded her with his mouth and tongue, and when he finally let her go, Lily’s face was flushed and her lips were swollen.
Good. Every guy that looked her way would know she was taken.
He pulled away, his eyes eating her up, his thumb rubbing the mouth that he’d just tasted.
“Ten o’clock,” he said again. “Not one minute later.”
Lily closed her eyes, and he knew she was struggling with her need and desire and want, as badly as he was.
She nodded, a quick, jerky movement, and whispered against his finger.
“Let’s make it nine thirty.”
Mac was good with that, and she didn’t have to ask twice.
Chapter 15
By nine o’clock, Lily knew the evening was a bona fide success. Heck, it was going down in history as the single greatest fundraiser the town had ever seen, and it made her feel wonderful to know she’d been such a big part of it all. The money was earmarked for social services that helped out the elderly and would fund programs like Meals on Wheels, taxis for appointments, and anything else that was needed.
The meal had been to die for—succulent steak and lobster, roasted potatoes, fresh grilled vegetables, and a strawberry delight for dessert. The live auction had also been a rousing success, with many businesses and local citizens donating generous items—and some of them had caused rollicking bidding wars.
The fishing trip to Alaska had gone to four women from the neighboring county who’d outbid their spouses in a nitty-gritty battle of dollars and cents. There had been golf weekend getaways, time-shares in Hawaii and Costa Rica, a year’s worth of haircuts from A Cut Above, and the chance to appear with Cain Black in BlackRock’s next music video.
The Vegas-type acts who’d entertained between courses were fabulous and Cain had come through—he’d managed to get a couple of his bandmates to fly in and they were hitting the stage for an acoustical set in a half hour.
She chuckled to herself. Dax, the eccentric British guy who played bass guitar in Cain’s band, was an outrageous flirt who had charmed half of Crystal Lake—the female half—and had managed to piss off most of the men. He was a sexy-as-hell smooth operator with a quick wit, a keen eye for the ladies, and, well, he did have the whole rock-star thing going for him.
Lily was pleased—hell, she was more than pleased—but it was hard to take pleasure in her accomplishment when the sexual buzz burning through her blood was making her crazy. She blew out a long breath, seeking the shadows near the margarita bar at the back of the room. It was cooler there, and she needed to focus.
She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes. Never had she felt so alive, so hot and electric—as if every single cell in her body was on fire. It was an exhilarating feeling.
But it was also scary as hell. This was new territory for her, and she wasn’t quite sure how to deal with it.
“Great job,” Raine Edwards said as she sidled up alongside Lily.
