A Calculated Seduction(35)

Thank God she was finally yelling at someone else. Ethan was beginning to think he was the only male she ever yelled at.

Gerry gave her a sheepish grin and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Been hit one too many times in the head during a ride. Sorry, didn’t mean it that way. What I meant is he seemed to know you. ”

Her shoulders slumped slightly. “Yes, I did know him. I didn’t know he made it up from Houston that often. Anyway, I guess I should be thanking you.” She leaned forward and gave Gerry a kiss on the cheek that had Ethan seeing red. “Thanks. Spending time with them would have driven me over the edge. Now, I need to freshen up before the crowd gets too big. I’ll be back in a few minutes. ”

She walked away and Ethan stood mesmerized by the feminine sway of her velvet-encased hips. What he wouldn’t give to slide his hands around those hips and take a cheek in each hand, slide his cock into her... He studied her rear as she headed out the door. No panty line. The woman was walking around in stockings and no underwear. Or a thong. God, he would love to see her in a thong.

“You got it bad.”

He grunted but didn’t make any other comment as he watched her turn the corner.

“If you’re interested in the gal, you need to let her know. Otherwise, someone’ll snap her up.”

He crossed his arms and faced Gerry. Somewhere in his late twenties, his blonde hair overgrown and his face tanned by the Texas sun, Ethan knew a lot of women found him attractive. He was known for being a love them and leave them type. He had been linked to country singers, Cowboy cheerleaders, and more than one starlet from LA.

“I don’ t think she’s interested in you, Gerry. You’re not her type. ”

The jackass laughed. “Yeah, I know, but neither are you. In fact, I would say she was more not your type than the other way around. She’s the ‘get married and have a houseful of kids’ type. You’re not.”

He wasn’t, but it irked him to hear Gerry say it. “You don’t know that. Besides, I never said I was interested.”

Gerry’s green gaze danced with humor. “Oh, so you don’t mind Anderson having his arm wrapped around her?”

Ethan cut a look at the entrance and sure enough, there was Anderson, all snuggled close to his date. He stalked in their direction as Gerry’s laughter grew louder.

“Tell her I said hi.”

* * * *

“Now, why don’t you tell me what has you so flustered,” Pete said, as he wrapped his arm around Dulcy.

Her nerves had been riding on thin ice since Ethan picked her up. She’d been worried about the Gala, about Ethan, about everything. Throw Jason and Tori into the mix, and she was sure she’d have an ulcer before the night was over.

“Let’s head over to the bar and I’ll tell you about it,” she said. “Not only did Tori show up, dressed all in red—”

“How appropriate.”

She chuckled. “Well, I have to agree on that one. Anyway, she brought Jason.”

“Jason? The ex-fiancé Jason?” He whistled. “So, why did she do that?”

“Who knows? I have a feeling it was more his idea because he never really could stand my stepsisters.”

“Don’t try to make me like him.” His eyes twinkled with mischief and she smiled. The muscles clenched in her back relaxed just a bit.

They reached the front of the line and ordered their drinks.

“You could always go home,” Pete said, as they wandered through the crowd.

“First of all, I can’t. I have a job to do. Besides, I wouldn’t give Tori the satisfaction.” She sipped her champagne while Pete ignored his club soda. “She was the one who told me the only reason he was interested in me was my money. She was right, but it didn’t help to hear it from her.”

She’d finished her drink and headed to the bar for another as Pete followed her. Once she had her drink, she took his hand and meandered through the crowd once again. Part of her job was to act as hostess and she would not let MacMillan Boots down. Even if the thought of another ride in the limo had her body tingling and her head swimming with ideas about straddling his lap and screwing him in that back seat.

“Well, maybe she didn’t invite him here to get back at you,” Pete said when they were alone. “I don’t know if she’s smart enough to come up with a plan like that.”

Dulcy giggled. Her second glass, or was it her third, of champagne was starting to affect her. “No. I agree.”