Start Me Up (Man of the Month 4)

But she simply gave him a hard stare as she shimmied into the dress, then slipped on her shoes. "Not even," she said. "Besides, they say nerves are good before a speech. Gives you that extra adrenalin kick. So you're welcome."

He'd laughed then. Now, he allowed himself only a tiny smile, letting the memory settle his nerves once again. And then, as the room calmed, he began to talk.

When he'd planned his speech, he realized that a lot of what wanted to include tracked what he'd told Shelby during their night by the river. He talked about his past, about his struggles, about his secrets and his shame, and that was what he now told the folks in this ballroom.

He'd told his parents the full truth three days before, and now they were watching him with so much pride it made his throat thick. Amanda sat beside them, positively beaming, and Shelby was next to her, having abandoned her table for his under the pretense of chatting up Amanda about accounting work for her real estate company. They'd spent much of the evening together, and he'd been relieved to see how well they got along. Not that he'd doubted it, but memories of Amanda and Lauren's mutual disdain still lingered.

As he continued his speech, he was surprised to see tears in the eyes of many in the audience. Considering he was used to making people laugh, the impact of his words was humbling.

And when he finally wrapped and stepped off the podium, he had so many hands to shake and good wishes to receive, that it took a full forty-five minutes before he finally manage to end up alone with Shelby.

"You were great," she said.

"Take off your panties," he countered, making her laugh and almost spit out the wine she'd just sipped.

"One track mind, much?"

"Hey, I'm like a god here. Did you see the reaction?"

From the way she beamed at him, he knew that she had. "Your excellent performance here doesn't earn you a naughty fantasy."

"Fantasies I can manage on my own. I want the reality."

She rose up on her toes, then kissed his cheek. "No. But I'm incredibly proud of you."

"And yet you still won't get naked under that dress."

She lifted a shoulder, her expression just a little wicked. "Take me home," she said, "and I'll get as naked as you want."

"Sweetheart, you've got yourself a deal."

Chapter Sixteen

Shelby always knew that she liked routines. It went along with liking numbers and the way they made sense and followed patterns. But she'd never imagined just how comfortable it would be to slide into a routine with a man.

Then again, she'd never imagined Nolan.

When she thought about it logically, they didn't fit at all. Her, all ordered and precise. Him, practically overflowing with wild and untamed energy.

But that was surface stuff. Underneath, they fit. Not because they were alike, but because they were like a jigsaw puzzle. Their differences meshed perfectly, and once together, everything made sense.

"Penny for your thoughts," he said, coming into the living room with two cups of coffee. Since his speech, he'd pretty much moved into her place. He even had his very own drawer. And Shelby loved the domesticity of it.

"Are you only worth a penny?" she asked lifting her feet so he could sit, then replacing them in his lap. "Because I was thinking of you."

"Then we're even, because I'm always thinking of you."

"We are so sappy," she said, then laughed.

"I won't tell if you won't."

"Deal."

He glanced at his wristwatch. "I need to get going. You'll come later?"

"I wish I could come now." Tonight was the Mr. March contest at The Fix, and Nolan was going in early to meet with everyone involved since he was ramping up the promo for The Fix on his show.

"I'll probably be late," she reminded him. She gestured toward the stacks of paper on her coffee table. All minor crises that had to be dealt with, and so she'd brought the work home so that she could focus properly. "And then I have to meet Frank after work and brief him."