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With that in mind, I turn to face him. “Do you usually bid on anything in the silent auction?”
He sort of grunts and continues looking straight ahead. “There’s not usually anything I’d want to bid on.”
I nod, trying to come up with another topic. “Kiwi shit on her owner’s bed today.”
His head whips in my direction, his warm eyes wide. Finally, a reaction.
“She must miss him and is showing her anger. Thank God I’m sleeping in the guest room.”
He chuckles, and though I can tell he’s holding back and it’s not a full smile, warmth spreads in my chest. “One of our cows got in the house once and left a mud pie in the middle of the living room. My mom was livid.”
I cover my mouth and gasp. “How did the cow get in your house?”
He shakes his head and looks as if he’s reliving a good memory. “My cousin left the back door open by accident and one of the cows got past the fence.”
“Maybe I should be thankful I only have to clean up the mess with one hand and not a shovel.”
He lifts his eyes to meet mine and I suck in a breath when his lips spread in a smile. We’re snug in our bubble until the elevator door dings and he motions for me to get out first.
I do and am acutely aware of the way my hips sway as I walk ahead of him. In all the years Mathew and I were together, I never once thought about how I moved as I walked in front of him.
My heels click across the lobby, and he catches up with me in two long strides. The doorman opens the door for us as we approach. A blacked-out SUV waits at the curb, and Chase steps ahead and opens the door for me. I nod a thank-you and duck inside. Once Chase is in the back and the door is closed, the driver eases away from the curb.
“Thanks again for taking me as your plus-one.”
“Stop thanking me. I told you it’s fine,” Chase says in a gruff voice.
“Well, I’m saying it anyway. I always have a good time at this event and it wouldn’t have been the end of the world if I didn’t go, but I’m happy I don’t have to miss it. It’ll be fun.”
“If you say so.” He glances out the window.
“You don’t like events like the gala?” I ask.
He turns his head to look at me. “What’s to like about being uncomfortable in a tux all night and talking with a bunch of people you’d rather not talk to about topics you don’t give a shit about while a camera is at your side, poised to take your smiling picture?”
A small laugh leaves my lips. “Come on now, you know that’s a lie. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you smile in a picture.” I jab him with my elbow.
He stares at me, appearing bewildered but almost as if he wants to laugh. “Looking at lots of pictures of me?”
My face flushes hot, but I keep my head raised. “Only the ones with my brother in them.” I shrug.
He hmms in assent and turns to look back out the window.
The drive over to the Palace Hotel doesn’t take long, so a few minutes later, I’m sliding across the seat to climb out of the SUV. Chase is the first one out when the driver opens the door and he offers me his hand. I accept it, his palm dwarfing mine, and take one step out onto the running board. When I go to take my next step, my heel gets hooked in my dress, and I fall forward with anoomph.
Large hands wrap around my rib cage and cradle my fall, gently easing me up until I’m standing on my own.
I glance up and say a breathless “Thanks.”
Chase looks down at me, and our eyes meet. His hands are still wrapped around my rib cage, his thumb an inch from the bottom of my breast.
In the months since my breakup with Mathew, I haven’t had any physical reaction to any man, so this sensation is somewhat foreign. For many years, the only man who spun butterflies in my stomach was Mathew.
The sound of the SUV pulling away behind me draws us from our frozen state and we back away from each other at the same time. Before either one of us can say anything, my brother steps out of his rental pulled up to the curb.
“Hey guys.” Miles flashes us a smile then turns to help his date out of the back seat.
From what Miles tells me, their relationship is nothing serious, but he hasn’t thrown in the towel either.
