She realized it was an inevitability that she meet them, despite her once telling him she didn’t believe anything was inevitable. But they were a part of his life and a part of his career. It was Tague’s name as much as his father’s that comprised the prominent firm. A business that was Tague’s legacy. So, of course, any woman in his life would have to be subjected to his family.
A hint of nerves made her say, “They can’t know what I do for a living, Tague. You’ll have to deflect emphatically when it comes to those kinds of questions.”
“No,” he said without hesitation. “It’s okay, baby. What you do for a living doesn’t bother me in the least. You need to believe in that. You need to believe in me. And you need to understand and accept that I’ll defend your profession to the death. A lot of the attorneys at the firm already know you and know your business. No one has anything derogatory to say about it, I swear. And if my parents do, then you can trust me to make sure they won’t tear you down. Please believe in me.”
Her hand covered one of his, still framing her face. Tears pooled in her eyes. “I must have done some pretty incredible shit in my past lives to deserve this. To have my own knight in shining armor.”
“Baby, I’m no Prince Charming,” he told her. “But I do stand up for what I want and what I believe in. At the end of the day, I’ve found that my parents respect me more for that, but it’s one hellacious challenge getting there when I step off their beaten path. Which is pretty much all the goddamn time.” He chuckled softly, no doubt to break the tension.
L.L. smiled sweetly at him. “You’re better than Prince Charming.”
Her head dipped and she kissed him. Passionately. Heatedly. Felt him swell inside her.
They began moving together again, quickly finding the groove they’d previously established, knowing each other intimately now.
L.L. rose slightly on her knees and Tague pumped into her, sending her soaring.
She broke their kiss and gasped for air. He kept at it and L.L. could not fathom on a reasonable level how fabulous he felt.
They didn’t last long this time, each needing to share that fevered release to bond them further.
“I’m going to come,” she whispered in his ear.
“Yes. Now. With me.”
All of the erotic and emotional sensations burst wide open inside her. She held him in a vise grip and Tague erupted, calling her name.
She knew they played a high-stakes game. She knew his family standing and her heart were at risk.
But she hoped what they shared was worth weathering any storm.
Because it was entirely possible L.L. had just fallen in love.
24
They stepped out of the limo to the flashing of cameras. L.L. had not anticipated that. Nor had she realized it’d started to snow. Hard. She’d been too wrapped up in Tague.
They’d tidied up in the backseat and she’d applied a fresh coat of lip gloss and slipped into her coat, as Tague had done with his. Now they made their way into the hotel and she was shocked by the conglomeration of media.
“The paparazzi follow you?” she asked.
“Society pages. My parents, the Hoffmans and the Steins fill them. I do, too, when I’m in town.”
“I always skip those pages. Sorry.”
He chuckled. “No worries. But since I’ve been away, I suspect I’ll get a bit more coverage this evening.”
Sure enough, a lovely brunette equipped with three cameras approached them with a smile on her face. “Tague, so nice to see you. Welcome home.”
“Thanks, Shanna,” he politely said.
“You look as handsome as ever,” she told him. Somewhat suggestively. Then her attention shifted to L.L. “May I ask who your date is?”
“This is Loralai Branson,” he announced for all those with press passes to hear.
“Can we see the dress?” Shanna asked her.
L.L. spared a quick glance at Tague. He gave a nod. Then helped her out of the coat. Hotel staff swooped in to ta