“Kel.” He closed the door at his back, unable to take his eyes off of her. “You look... Damn, you look sexy and gorgeous and I don’t even know what all else.”
She laughed and started toward him. With that full skirt, she seemed to be floating like an angel, but that deep V in the front proved she had a little side of vixen thrown into the mix.
“I was hoping you’d love this,” she told him. She reached for his black tie and straightened it, then flattened her hands on his chest. “You look incredible, too.”
He could barely speak. Kelly had always been a stunning woman and now that he’d had her in his bed, he knew she was absolutely, utterly perfect.
“Speechless?” she asked, tapping his lips. “That’s fine. I plan on doing a good bit of talking later.”
Luke swallowed. “I wasn’t thinking about talking at all once I got you home,” he assured her, reaching for that dip in her waist just above the skirt. “I owe you so much more after falling asleep on you all week.”
Kelly smiled, her red lips practically begging him to mess them up. “I know you’ve been working hard. It’s ok. But we do need to talk.”
There was no man alive who wanted to hear those words come out of the mouth of a woman. They never led to anything
good.
“That sounds serious,” he told her.
She framed his face with her hands and stared back at him with those expressive green eyes. “Nothing to worry about,” she promised. “I just have some things I want to tell you.”
Luke cringed. “You’re pregnant.”
“No,” she laughed. “Though I do want kids someday. Nice to know where you stand on the topic.”
He shook his head as all the thoughts of what she’d want to discuss kept swirling around. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to seem paranoid, but well, that would be terrifying right now.”
Luke slid his hands along her hips and tugged her closer until her body aligned with his. He captured her lips, needing to feel her, to taste her. He couldn’t wait to get her home and peel her out of this dress.
He eased back and stared down into those expressive eyes so full of passion, then she smiled.
“I like my lipstick on you.” She slid her thumb over his lips to clean the mess. “Later, you can mess up the rest of it.”
Oh, he loved the sound of that, but he still was itching to know what she wanted to talk to him about. Unfortunately, that would have to wait, because guests were going to be arriving soon and he needed to be out front and center the entire night.
“You did an amazing job out there,” he said, taking her hand and leading her toward the door. “In case I haven’t said it this week, thank you. It’s not much, but I really wouldn’t have been able to do this without you.”
She tipped her head and the rest of her red curls fell down over her shoulder. “I’m glad I could be the one to help you. This is going to be an extraordinary ride and I want to be on this journey.”
Which is exactly where he wanted her.
Later, he would tell her he wanted more. He still wasn’t sure exactly what that looked like, but he wanted her to move in with him so they could see where things went.
Luke led Kelly back out to the ballroom, but made sure he wasn’t holding her hand or even touching her. He wanted to stop hiding this and just be himself in public with her. He wanted to wrap his arm around her waist and not give a damn what people thought.
Yes, she was his assistant, but there was much more to their relationship. If people wanted to gossip about that, then that was their problem. All he cared about was getting more from Kelly, more from what they had started and seeing where they could go.
* * *
Kelly couldn’t believe the turnout. She couldn’t stop smiling and, every time she glanced around the crowded ballroom, she only saw people having a great time. She had answered questions about the new turn in the Wingate resorts and had even directed many people to the informational area in the back.
Luke and Zeke were milling about and she’d seen them pass by every now and then as they also were busy talking with guests.
The party was most definitely a success.
“I’d say everyone is having a good time.”
Kelly turned to see Sutton Wingate, the CFO, nursing a drink and glancing around the room as he came to stand beside her.