Page 22 of Mountain Man's Angel
"Because I'm not in New York. I told you, I'm in the mountains doing some recording. The event completely slipped my mind, sorry."
"Darling – your father expects you to be there."
"I told you weeks ago that I wasn't going to be able to make it." A bit of steel enters my voice. "I can't just drop everything I'm doing whenever you two want me to prance around in a ball gown."
"Audra." Her voice sharpens. "This is the night your father gets his big award. It's the one truly important event this year. How could you not come?"
My eyes close as I turn toward the sun, letting its warmth on my eyelids bring me a moment of calm. "Mother, unless you have a spaceship to pick me up and a magician to whip me up a dress, I'm not going to make it. End of story. Please tell Dad congratulations, and I'm very proud of him."
I start when a heavy hand lands on my shoulder. I whirl around to meet the gorgeous dark eyes that are burning into mine. "You have to be in New York tonight?"
"My father is getting some special award at the IFTA event tonight."
He nods. "The innovation and financial technology awards? My cousins have been to that." He leans in, taking my elbow. "Be honest, angel. Will you regret it if you’re not there?"
He's so earnest, even though Mom is listening in. “I…guess so? Honestly, I kind of forgot about it. But?—"
“If money, time and space were no object, on a scale of one to ten, how much do you want to be there tonight?"
I take a slow breath. "Like…nine?"
He leans close, his lips brushing across my forehead. Then he speaks into my phone. "Audra and a date will arrive shortly before the awards begin."
"I'll have two tickets ready!" Mom says brightly. "Oh, Audra, your father is going to be so delighted?—"
"Gotta go, Mom. See you soon." I disconnect, then stare at Thane. "How the heck are we going to get to New York that fast?”
I nearly drop my phone when he pulls me to him, kissing me roughly, deeply, with a fiery blast of raw desire that makes my knees quiver and my thighs press together firmly.
When he releases me, the world around me shimmers. He’s so amped up. The light in his dark eyes is almost manic.
“Angel, you're about to find out what it means to be a Wolfe.”
13
THANE
All it took was one phone call to Kai. “I need a miracle, man. And I know you’re?—”
“I’ll put my best people on it, cousin. Enjoy your trip.”
That was about three hours ago, and I can still hear the grin in his voice at the opportunity to help someone who never asks for it. I’m not sure if Kai realizes that aside from my brothers, he’s the first family member I’ve ever asked for a favor. I might tell him that in person someday, just to see his crazy smile.
I squeeze Audra’s hand gently as the private jet circles a small airfield. She’s been quiet on the flight. I hope that doesn’t have anything to do with her family meeting me.
“How many times have you been to New York?” I ask.
“Um… Five times, I think.” She turns to me, smiling. “You?”
I shrug. “First time.” My hand drops to caress her knee gently. “I’ve traveled a bit, though. Chicago. Charlotte. Kingsville. Nashville. Vancouver. Pretty city, but man, it rains a lot.”
Her tongue skims over her bottom lip. “Do you like traveling?”
“Yeah. I mean, it’s okay with my brothers, or by myself. I think it’ll be a lot more interesting with you.”
She clutches my arm suddenly as the plane tilts toward the runway.
“Angel, I have to ask. Is there a reason you didn’t tell me that your father is Robert Barclay, the tech guru?”
