Page 50 of Dream Date With the Millionaire
Dani gazed up at him. “I figured you weren’t the kind of guy to desert me while he went off to socialize.”
“Never. I have everything I need right here.” He brushed his lips across the top of her hair. The scent of grapefruit filled his nostrils. “Is it totally sexist of me to say I’m going to like having the sexiest, most beautiful woman at the party on my arm?”
“Yes.” A seductive smile spread across her shimmering glossed lips. “But since I’ll be on the arm of the hottest man at the soirée, I’ll let it slide.
“Soirée?”
She shrugged. “When in Rome…”
“You’re going to fit in just fine, Miss Bennett.”
Dani fluttered her eyelashes. “Why, thank you, Mr. Delaney.”
He extended his arm, no longer dreading the evening ahead. “Shall we?”
Maeve Delaney-Stuart-Whitney-Roya-Mayer’s house reminded Dani of Pemberley, with its marble floors, crystal chandeliers and uniformed servants milling about with trays of champagne and hors d’oeuvres. Dani glanced around the mansion, trying to imagine Bryce, an active and inquisitive little boy, growing up among the valuable artwork and antiques.
Tried and failed.
Standing at the doorway to a balcony, she watched Bryce weave his way through the crowded room with two drinks in his hands. He looked suave and debonair in his tailored suit, white shirt and tie. He stood out from the others. It wasn’t his height or his looks, but his presence. He exuded power and, though he’d disagree with her, wealth. People followed him, trying to get his attention or catch his eye. Men who wanted his advice. Women who wanted him.
Dani didn’t blame them. She wanted him, too.
Bryce said a word to one, nodded to another and continued toward her, his steps never faltering and his gaze never leaving hers.
Outside on the patio, he handed her a Cosmopolitan. “Did the animals leave you alone while I was gone?”
“I had a couple of close calls, but I survived unscathed.”
A man with his tie askew yelled Bryce’s name from the doorway. Bryce acknowledged him with a wave, then lowered his hand. His fingertips stroked her arm, sending tingles shooting up and down from the point of contact. “What happened?”
“Nothing you need to worry about. It was more funny than awkward.”
“I just want to make sure you’re comfortable.”
“I’m better than comfortable.” She raised her glass. “I’m Cinderella at the ball with Prince Charming at my side.”
“At least you won’t have to worry about the clock striking midnight,” he teased. “Your dress and ride home have no expiration time.”
“Good to know.” She stared up into his concerned eyes. “What?”
“Please tell me what happened while I was gone.”
“It was nothing.”
Bryce raised a brow.
“If you really want to know, your cousin Simone asked me who did my breast augmentation because she thought they looked so natural.”
“She’s been redoing herself part by part,” he explained. “Breasts are next.”
“No wonder she seemed so disappointed to find out mine are real, but I appreciated the compliment.”
“You should.” He eyed her chest momentarily. “Anything else?”
“I bumped into your great-uncle Edward. Or he bumped into me.” Dani grinned. “I think he wanted to cop a feel.”
“He’s known for that.”
She took a sip of the pink-colored drink. The martini was strong. Better limit herself to two tonight. Especially since they’d already drank champagne during a toast to Caitlin and Mark. “See, it was nothing.”
“I’m not leaving you again,” Bryce said. “I told you I wouldn’t desert you.”
“I told you I wanted a drink, but didn’t feel like pushing my way through the crowd to the bar. It’s okay,” she said. “I’m doing fine. I was intimidated when we arrived, but everyone has been so welcoming, especially your mother. Things have been much better than I imagined. And Caitlin and Mark are such a cute couple and so nice.”
“That’s because they, and the rest of my family, like you.”
Music played. She couldn’t tell if it was a live band or a DJ. “Good, because I like them.”
“Even my great-uncle Edward?” Bryce asked.
She nodded. “He’s funny. He told me if he were fifty years younger he’d give you a run for your money over me. Then he said if I wanted to fly to Las Vegas and marry him tonight he wouldn’t make me sign a prenup.”
“What did you tell him?” Bryce asked.
