AllFreeNovel
Share Us
ChapterTwelve
BERNIE
I’ve always loved supportingchildren-based charities. I’ve volunteered my time over the past few years several different ways, all involving children. After listening to the director of Generous Hearts speak about the mission of the charity, I’m hooked and so incredibly lucky to be here tonight.
I may not be a millionaire like a lot of the people in this room, but I’ve made smart financial decisions for a twenty-five-year-old. I have the money to give to charities when I’m unable to give my time.
Wade even introduced me to several of the Generous Hearts board members. While the company is based in California, they have plans to expand, and I want to help when I can.
I make a small donation in comparison to most of the donations coming in tonight, but it makes me feel good to help.
Looking at myself in the mirror as I wash my hands one last time before Wade and I leave, I can’t help but blush at the smile on my own face. The night has been absolutely amazing. If there was any question about this being a date, it was answered within twenty minutes of me arriving—when he kissed me in the middle of the room, not caring who saw.
A shiver of excitement runs down my spine, thinking about the kiss and anticipating spending the night with Wade. I’m not sure I’m ready for sex, but I know I’m ready to explore more, and even sharing a bed with him has my enthusiasm brimming to the top.
The gala ended about thirty minutes ago. Wade needed to have a quick chat with a few of the Generous Hearts people before we could leave. So I wander back out to the space, looking in the direction of where I last saw Wade. He’s still there, the group he was meeting with now only half the size. He looks up at just the right minute. He must have sensed that I was looking at him. His smile grows, and I can’t stop the flutter in my chest when he looks at me that way, as if seeing me makes his day.
He winks at me, and my ovaries spasm.
Gah, a wink can bring me to my knees. Imagine what a wink and the use of my full name would do to me.
He turns to the group, shakes a few hands, then stalks toward me. If I weren’t craving his attention, I would turn and run, but the promise of more keeps my feet rooted to the ground.
As he closes in, he reaches out and intertwines our fingers together. He’s been very hands-on tonight—dare I say almost possessive—and I can’t say I haven’t enjoyed it.
I’ve never felt wanted by a man in a physical sense this strongly before. My one and only boyfriend as an adult never made me feel fireworks. Hugh was a friend from high school who I ran into one day on the train. We started hanging out and decided to date. We dated for nearly two years before we broke up. He wanted more sex, and sex wasn’t important to me. Our encounters between the sheets always left me wanting. He was satisfied every time, thank you very much, but I just didn’t want to have sex just for the sake of pleasing him. We ended our relationship on somewhat rocky terms. He said some nasty things about my lack of ability to keep the fire lit between us—his words, not mine. If we had actually had a fire between us, I’m sure I would have kept the fire stoked better. He later apologized for his words, and I told him we made better friends.
There hasn’t been anyone since him. No one has sparked a flame within me—no one except Wade. And he’s always been off limits to me. But somehow, not anymore.
“You ready to get out of here, Bernadette?”
I feel my knees go weak.
“Yes,” I say on a shaky breath.
“Then let’s go.”
We turn toward the front of the building when I realize he’s rolling my suitcase behind him. I didn’t even notice he had it before. That’s how gone I am for this man.
On the drive to the hotel, we chat about the event. He shares that the night maybe pulled in more than their goal amount, which is amazing. I tell him to let me know their final numbers once he knows. I’m fully invested in this charity after tonight.
Hell, I’m fully invested in Wade, and the success of this event will determine if he gets his promotion.
We get to his hotel, and the moment he swipes his key into the lock on his door, a heavy, delicious weight of anticipation fills me. I walk into the room and survey the area. I’m no stranger to hotel rooms. But as my eyes sweep over the single king-size bed, which is neatly made in the standard white linens, I suck in a breath.
We’re sharing a bed tonight.
Wade lifts my suitcase onto the fold- out holder. His is closed on the floor as if he prepared for my stay. We don’t speak, but thick want swirls around us. He slowly removes his suit jacket and gently tosses it into the chair next to my suitcase.
I want this. I want tonight with him. But for as much as I want Wade, there’s something heavy in the back of heart. For once, my mind is ready and on board with whatever may happen. But it’s my heart that’s stopping me.
And I think… I think it’s because I’m not sure where this is going.
I realize I’m standing in the middle of the room. Wade hasn’t moved, keeping his distance.
“What’s going on in your head right now, Benny?” His tone is low, like he’s afraid I’ll turn and run.
I blink, clearing the gunk that has seeped into my mind, making me second-guess tonight. I look at him. Study him. I know he’ll respect whatever I request, but I don’t know what’s in his heart. He was wonderful tonight, not a care in the world who saw us. But would he be the same, at home, in Chicago, with our friends?
