Mid Life Love (Mid Life Love #1)(131)

“Stop it, Jonathan!” She squealed as he tossed her into the water.

I jumped up, tempted to run over there and slap him for letting her get that close to him, for letting her touch him. Yet, I quickly sat back down, realizing that too many people were around and I didn’t want to make a scene.

Jealous, I put down my e reader and narrowed my eyes at the sappy scene that was playing in front of me.

How can he possibly be upset with me about Damien when he’s dating a damn supermodel? And of all supermodels, Stacy Rodriguez, the most famous one?

“Daiquiri?” Damien stood in front of me with an umbrella drink.

“Please.”

“You’ll have to pay me for it first...”

“What? What do you—”

He bent down and kissed me—a slow, passionate, ‘I-know-this-is-making-you-melt’ kiss. He tilted my chin up, pushing his tongue further and further into my mouth, softly biting down on my bottom lip each time I tried to control the pace.

I didn’t care though; I kept trying to force him to let me take the lead. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressed myself against him, and let my tongue explore every inch of his mouth.

“Whoa...” Damien pulled away from me. “Kiss me like that again and we’ll have to lock ourselves in the suite for the rest of the week.” He smiled and handed me the drink.

I took a sip and saw Jonathan staring at me out the corner of my eye, knowing that he’d just seen me kiss Damien.

His fists were balled at his side, his face was a deadly red, and his eyes were thin slits. He took a few steps in my direction but Stacy grabbed his hand and tugged him down the shore.

“Are you okay, Claire?” Damien put his arm around my shoulder. “Is something wrong with the drink?”

“The drink is great...” I tore my eyes away from Stacy and Jonathan. “What other events are happening today?”

“Well, I have a few tech sessions to go to this evening, but there’s the late night benefit ball at midnight.”

“There’s literally a ball every night this week? I thought you were joking...”

“I wasn’t. It’s a tax break thing.” He laughed. “There’s an early entry for the highest contributors, so you and I will have to be there a little early.”

“What happens at early entry?”

“It’s just a bit more intimate than the regular ball—dimmer lights, small candle-lit dinner, and first dibs on the silent auction items. If you want anything that’s up for bid, let me know and I’ll buy it for you.”

“Oh, I probably won’t even go near—”

He pulled me on top of him. “You should...And you should let me buy whatever you want.” He placed a light kiss on my lips. “I want you to enjoy yourself this week so don’t be shy about doing things that make you happy.”

He began rubbing my back and I looked over my shoulder—to see if Jonathan was watching, but Damien turned my head back around to face him. He slipped his tongue into my mouth again and all my thoughts blurred, leaving me lost once more.

“Just like that, Claire...Two steps forward, one step back...Very good...”

Damien spun me out of his arms and quickly drew me back. “You’re a wonderful dancer, Claire. Did you learn or are you a natural?”

“I learned...”

“Well, whoever taught you is one hell of a teacher. I’m impressed.” He placed his hands around my waist and I leaned against his chest.

As we waltzed around the dance floor, I started to wonder if I could develop feelings for him with time, if he and I might have a chance after all.

He’d been extra attentive ever since we left the beach: He skipped one of his tech meetings to join me at my massage appointment, arranged for me to take an evening horse riding lesson, and even helped me pick out which dress I should wear tonight.

I leaned against his chest and looked out over the room. It was dark with a few massive candles providing the only light. On the far end of the room—in a corner that was illuminated by a yellow haze, a group of violinists played a beautiful song that reverberated throughout the space.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the lead violinist said as her companions continued to play, “we have a lot more songs that we’re going to play for you tonight, but we want you to know that the lights are about to be slightly brightened since the early entry portion of the ball has ended.”

The few people that were in the room clapped and the lights became a tad bit brighter. I looked around for Jonathan—I could feel him watching me, but I could only see ten other people in the room and he wasn’t one of them.

Why does it “feel” like he’s here though?

I heard a soft clicking sound, and the doors at the back of the room opened, allowing a large group of tuxedo-clad and ball gown wearing guests into the room.

“As is tradition at the benefit ball, the first fifteen minutes of dance should be with someone that you don’t know. Once everyone is inside, my companions and I will make play three harsh chords to indicate that it’s time to find someone new to dance with, and the lights will dim again.”

The room started to become louder and louder as the other attendees continued to pour in, and Damien held me tighter—as if he was protecting me from everyone else.