The possibility of joining her didn’t even seem to occur to him. “I’ve got family stuff Saturday night, too. I told Jake I’d go to his house to watch the SEC West playoff game with him tomorrow night. Have fun at the party.”
She nodded. It seemed that she and Scott were already beginning to define their future together: they would be free to pursue their own interests as individuals even as they attended some events as a couple. Practical and independent. The two adjectives had always been applied to her, so it made sense that they defined her budding relationship, as well. “Have fun with your brother.”
It occurred to her that he was still holding her hand. It felt nice. His fingers moved on hers again, giving another little squeeze as he said, “Next weekend is fairly busy, too. We have our office Christmas party Saturday night. But before that, on Friday night, I have a dinner thing. Would you be free to go with me to that?”
“A dinner thing?”
He waved his free hand. “It’s an engagement party. The couple sent out invitations a couple of months ago, I think, and to be honest, I’d forgotten about it until I got a reminder by email today. You know how hectic everything has been the past few weeks. This dinner totally slipped my mind.”
This was the first she’d heard of an engagement party. She didn’t handle his personal social calendar, but usually he mentioned upcoming events at least in passing. It did speak to his state of mind lately that he’d forgotten a commitment. “Did you tell them you’d be bringing a date?”
“Oh, sure. I figured I’d ask someone. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather go with than you.”
She swallowed. Accompanying him to the Holiday Open Home had been a relatively innocuous first social outing together. If anyone had been surprised to see them enter side by side, Tess hadn’t noticed. She figured the Best Burger open house would be similarly easy. It was possible they’d see people they knew at the symphony performance, but then again, perhaps they wouldn’t, nor would they likely be expected to explain why they attended together. But an engagement party... Well, that was very different. This would most definitely be interpreted as a date. “Are these close friends?”
He shrugged. “Bethany, the bride-to-be, is the youngest daughter of my mom’s college roommate. I’ve known her all her life, but I wouldn’t call us close friends. The groom just finished dental school in Louisiana and Bethany’s mom talked Dad into interviewing him as a potential associate.”
“So is he going to join your dad’s practice?”
“Yeah, I think so. Dad’s been wanting to add someone who specializes in pediatric dentistry, which apparently this guy does.”
So the daughter of an old friend an
d his dad’s new business associate. Which meant the entire Prince clan would probably be in attendance at this party. “You haven’t, um, mentioned to your family that you and I are...”
“I haven’t talked about us with anyone,” he assured her. “But they’ll probably get the picture when we show up at the party.”
She nodded.
“Haven’t changed your mind, have you?” He spoke lightly, but she sensed he was serious.
“No.” In fact, now that he’d laid out such an enticing future for them, she was even more committed to their tentative plan. “I have to admit I’m a little nervous, but I’ll go with you.”
“Why are you nervous?” he asked with a little smile, holding her hand between both of his now.
“Well, it’s your family and friends.”
“Many of whom you’ve met several times. They already know you and like you.”
“As your office manager.”
“As a person,” he corrected firmly. “My family doesn’t tend to label people by their professions. The dinner’s at Trapnall Hall and it shouldn’t last overly long.”
“I always enjoy events there this time of year. I’m sure the Christmas decorations are beautiful.”
He lifted one hand to her face, running a fingertip lightly over her lower lip. “I’m glad you’ll be going with me. It’ll make the event much more tolerable.”
Warmth seeped through her in response to his nearness, his touch. In some ways it still felt odd to be snuggled with Scott on her sofa, yet beneath the novelty was a growing certainty that it was exactly where they were meant to be. He’d simply realized it before she’d acknowledged it herself.
She rested a hand on his chest, allowing her fingers to curl a bit against his shirt to savor the warm strength beneath. He’d removed his jacket and tie and opened his collar, so he looked casually at ease, gazing at her in a way that made her heart beat a little faster. His eyes had darkened to a gleaming navy and his lips were curved into a faint sexy smile that made her ache to taste him.
“I’ll try my best to make the party tolerable for you,” she said, smiling.
His gaze was focused intently on her mouth. A low rumble of laughter escaped him. “I appreciate that,” he murmured.
Silence fell between them then. Looking into his eyes, she realized that the time for conversation had ended. It was time for him to go...or not. Which didn’t mean they had to rush to a decision about those options. She slid her hand up his chest to the back of his neck, her lips parting in an invitation he accepted instantly, eagerly.
Gathering her against him, he kissed her with a thoroughness and urgency he’d reined in previously. His mouth was hot, hungry on hers, his tongue sweeping deep to explore and challenge. She gave a little moan of surprise and pleasure, her arms closing around his neck to bring them even closer. His hand moved on her leg, toying with the hem of the dress and then sliding under to caress her thigh. She shivered in response to an image of his hands moving higher. Her breasts swelled against his chest, and a restless ache settled there. Just the thought of his hands closing over them made her tremble.