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She turned toward the coatrack, and his breath left him in a silent whoosh.
Holy fuck.Had his eyes just bugged out of his head? Because it certainly felt like they had.
The front of her dress was high-necked and modest, but the back?Damn. It didn’t exist. All that covered the smooth, bare skin above her hips was her auburn hair, which cascaded over her lean shoulders in soft, sexy waves.
His dick twitched.Shit.
He couldn’t even think about the fact that she wasn’t wearing a bra. If he did...
Nope. You’re wearing dress pants, Buchanan. Donotthink about that.
Rox was more than gorgeous. He didn’t have a strong enough word in his vocabulary to describe her beauty.
Speechless, he helped Roxie into her coat. Then he grabbed her keys from the entryway table, held the door open for her, and followed her out.
It was going to be a long damn night.
CHAPTERTEN
As the Pacific View Resort’s valet drove her car away, Roxie checked the grand clock in the foyer and smiled in smug satisfaction. “See, we’re notthatlate.”
Joe popped his elbow out for her to take. She studied him with one eyebrow raised. What was his deal? He hadn’t said a word since they’d left the house. Hell, he’d barely even looked at her. Was he pissed that she’d taken so long to get ready? Annoyance began to simmer in her gut. Good freaking god, if he was going to give her the silent treatment all night, then—
“Roxanne,” he said, and her brow hitched higher at the gravel in his voice. “I don’t know what’s going on in your head right now, but stop. Let’s go already.”
She took his elbow. Her stilettos had them almost eye to eye, but he still wouldn’t look at her.
Clearing his throat, Joe covered her hand with his own. “You look fucking amazing, by the way.”
The corners of her lips twitched. “Ahhh! So youarecapable of speech and not just growling.”
“Shut it, Jameson.” He cleared his throat again, shooting her a quick look. “You know how you said I caught you off guard this morning?”
She nodded, not bothering to hold back a smirk now. Why would she? Watching Joe squirm was the best.
“Well, consider us even.”
She chuckled. “Not even close, buddy.”
They turned the corner and entered the resort’s ballroom.
“Holy shit,” he murmured, coming to a sudden halt.
One look at the décor had Roxie cringing. Mrs. Green’s idea offancytended to lean more towardgaudy. The walls and tables were decked out in some sort of snowflake theme with a crap-ton of tulle and glitter, and the dance floor showcased a silver and white balloon archway, presumably a backdrop for photos. However, the balloon archway was anything but Instagram-worthy. It looked like it had traveled through time, straight from a prom. In 1992.
Roxie scanned the crowd, and her gaze locked with Mrs. Green’s. The woman’s eyes lit up, shining like the glitter that had been poured over every damn thing in the ballroom.
“Don’t look now, Buchanan, but Mrs. Man-Eater has spotted you and is about to descend.” She gave his arm a squeeze, then let go. “Oh look, I see Quinn and Alex.”
Before she could take a step, his arm snaked around her waist. He pulled her to him, bringing her back snug against his front. Her breath caught.
“Don’t even think about it, Roxanne,” he murmured, his breath tickling her ear. “You promised you wouldn’t ditch me tonight.”
“I did no such thing, buster.” She turned her head, ignoring the flutter in her belly when his lips accidentally brushed her cheek. “I said I’d save you from dancing with her. That was it.” Slipping out of his hold, she gave him her sweetest smile. “Have fun!”
Roxie heard Mrs. Green’s twittering giggles echo behind her as she walked over to Alex and Quinn. Glancing back, she saw the older woman wrap Joe in a smothering hug. Mrs. Green’s hands drifted down the former FBI agent’s backside, and the utter horror that flashed on her friend’s face made Roxie grin from ear to ear. Only then did it truly sink in how much she’d missed the damn guy.
Today, for the first time in forever, they’d had an actual conversation without barbs flying. It had been amazing.
