She sucked in a breath, overwhelmed by the piece. It wasn’t ostentatious or over-the-top. It didn’t make a statement or scream money, though she had no doubt the item had cost him a lot. Instead, it was simple, elegant, and every inch something she’d not only pick out herself but wear. And not just tonight at the fundraising gala, but every day.
He’d chosen the perfect gift, picked with her taste and feelings in mind.
“It’s beautiful,” she whispered.
“You’ll wear it?” he asked.
The vulnerability in the question touched her. “I’d be honored.” She lifted her hair away from her neck and turned.
He placed the necklace on and hooked it in place.
She swiveled back to face him.
He smoothed her hair over her shoulders, surrounding the delicate piece of jewelry. “It’s perfect. Just like you.”
She opened her mouth to argue. She wasn’t perfect, and she had the past to prove it. Her father’s reemergence had never been far from her mind, and she’d wanted to hide it from Ian for as long as possible. But he obviously cared about her, and he was showing her in so many ways, which meant it was time to trust him with her secrets.
“Ian, I need to talk to you.”
“Later.?
?? He pressed his mouth to hers, gliding his tongue over her lips, encouraging her to open for him.
His masculine taste flooded her senses. Her eyelashes fluttered closed, and she parted her lips, taking him in. He devoured her, kissing her as if she were the only thing that mattered. He gripped the back of her neck with one hand while he swirled his tongue in her mouth, round and round, over and over.
She returned the kiss, the fervor behind it, and the need they both shared, until the car came to a halt and a knock sounded at the side window.
Ian groaned and pulled back, his hand never leaving her nape, his forehead touching hers. His breathing ragged, he dragged in gulps of air while she did the same.
She reached for her small purse and took out the tiny mirror she’d fit in, somehow managing to wipe away the lipstick smudges and reapply. Her lips still looked puffy, her mouth well kissed, but there was nothing she could do about that.
She eyed Ian, dabbing at her lipstick marks on his lips and face until she’d cleaned him up too.
“We’ll pick this up where we left off,” he said, the promise in his voice as seductive as his kisses.
“I’ll hold you to that.” She managed a grin, ignoring the pulsing in her body and the niggling guilt that she was holding back about her father.
Why that had suddenly begun to matter, she didn’t know. Her fingertips went to the delicate teardrop at her throat. Something about this gift had broken down the last wall she’d erected to keep Ian out. Suddenly, she wanted to let him in.
“Ready?” he asked, his hand on the door lever.
She nodded.
He grasped her hand, and they stepped out of the car.
She supposed she should have expected the photographers, given that the Thunder players were attending as well, but the flashes of light caught her off guard.
Sensing her distress, Ian tightened his hold and pulled her against him, wrapping a protective arm around her waist as he led her inside.
* * *
Hours into the event, Ian couldn’t wait to get Riley home, peel the dress off her body, and explore her inch by inch, first with his hands, then with his mouth. She was easily the sexiest woman here, not to mention the classiest. Her one-shoulder dress, black with silver trim, slit up one side, revealed an elegant expanse of tanned leg and an incredibly hot, ridiculously high-heeled shoe. His mouth watered, and his cock hardened and approved.
Knowing he had to remain at least through the speech portion of the evening, he’d settle for having a few minutes with her alone. His family had been monopolizing her time ever since they’d arrived. Since they were in public, he’d suffered through each of his brothers dancing with and probably grilling her, but she’d laughed and smiled and obviously enjoyed.
He bit back his jealousy over other men touching her; they were his brothers, after all. He’d settle for killing them over a Sunday basketball game with well-placed elbow jabs and points scored. He wasn’t any more pleased with Olivia, her plunging neckline, and clear attempts to make Dylan Rhodes jealous by dancing with other men while eying him to make sure he was watching. At least Avery seemed to be behaving herself…so far.
Even his mother seemed to be enjoying herself, dancing with one man in particular all evening. That was something he intended to question more thoroughly. In fact, he made it a point to interrupt both of his sisters and at least find out what they were up to.