“And that’s why Kade is so protective. She’s likeable. She’s family and she’s fragile, although less so by the day. And Kade can relate to someone having … issues.”
“What aren’t you saying?” Cassie asked.
Derek didn’t normally talk about his friends behind their backs, but he trusted Cassie. “Kade deals with OCD and anxiety. He has a special affinity for Kendall.”
“I see. But all is quiet for tonight?” she asked.
He nodded. “Want to check out the silent auction?”
“Sure.” He clasped her hand in his, and they spent the next twenty minutes perusing the choices.
Every item, like seats behind home plate to a Yankee game, had a piece of paper with a starting bid and the increment in which bids could go up. All proceeds went to House of Hope.
Cassie paused at an item with a dog leash and collar on the table. Six months free dog walking, courtesy of Kendall Parker. “Oh!”
“Did you get a dog I don’t know about?” he asked.
She shot him a wry glance and picked up a pen. Nobody else had bid yet. She scribbled her name, email, and a bid, then tried to pull him to the next item.
He held on tight to her hand and glanced down. “One thousand dollars for six months of dog walking, hmm? For a nonexistent dog?”
Her cheeks flushed pink. “You can use it for Oscar, and I’ll have donated to an important cause. Now let’s move on.”
And he’d pay Kendall out of pocket, so she didn’t lose out. Her donation was generous but he was sure she could use the money.
His heart warmed at Cassie’s sweet gesture. Not only was she taking care of Oscar and, by extension, him, she was giving to his charity. Now he intended to bump up her bid and give even more.
He snatched the pen and scribbled his own information.
She glanced over his hand. “Five grand? Are you insane?” she asked, eyes wide.
“Why not? I can afford it and what better use than House of Hope? And don’t you dare think of matching me. It’s the thought that counts in this case, and I appreciate it.” He tugged her close. “I appreciate you.”
He slid a hand behind her, placed his palm on her bare back, and pulled her against him for a kiss meant to express more than he was willing to say.
He traced the seam of her glossed lips with his tongue, slipping inside for a champagne-laced taste. “Mmm.”
“Mmm is right.” She tilted her head back and wiped the gloss off his face with her finger. “Red really isn’t your color,” she said with a grin.
“Maybe not, but it sure is yours.”
“Why, thank you,” she murmured.
&nbs
p; Before he could dive back in for another taste, the lights above them flashed, indicating the cocktail portion of the evening was over.
“Ready to head over to the table?”
Cassie slipped her soft palm back into his. “Lead the way.”
A few minutes later, they’d joined the rest of the group at the large table in the ballroom. Beautiful white flowers and gold lamé decorations sat in the center.
The speech part of the night began almost immediately. Derek normally tried not to fall asleep during these events, but tonight he had a captivating date. And he found a way to keep himself occupied.
He slid his hand beneath the long draping of the tablecloth that reached almost to the floor and began to pull Cassie’s dress up, sliding his hand along the silken skin of her leg.
Her shocked gaze shot to his.