She laughed. “I can hardly wait.”
“We have a good time. We mostly keep to ourselves. There are people we talk with, I always like to see what’s on the auction table, and I overbid. It goes to the charity. BAM and ABC donate.”
“What do you donate?”
“A weekend on the houseboat. A consult with Liv for design. Me for landscaping. Bentley often offers a trip to one of the properties the company owns.”
Her eyes widen. “I guess I won’t be bidding.”
“There’re lots of things. Last year, Mom bought a painting by one of the kids the charity helped. She loved it, and the kid was thrilled. Emmy bought a cake someone had made. There’s often a huge range.”
“Oh.”
“The only constant is we usually eat pizza after we get home. Dad stops and picks it up on our way out of town. No matter the venue unless it’s our winery, the food is usually flavorless, and the portions are minute.”
“Rubber chicken?”
“Basically.”
“I’ll remember that. You make this date sound like so much fun, Liam,” she said dryly.
I flashed a grin at her. “I’ll be there.”
“Then it’s a great date.”
“I figured.” I pulled into the complex. “Let’s drop the munchkin off and get ready.” I winked at her. “We might even have time for a nap.”
I tugged down my sleeves, the cuff links glinting in the light. I went all out tonight with a black suit, pure-white shirt, and a tie in royal blue my mom gave me to match Paige’s dress. I trimmed my beard, made sure my hair was neat, and shoved my feet into shoes so shiny I was blinded by the glare. They were uncomfortable as hell, reminding me why I preferred to dress casually.
I walked into the living room, glancing at the closed door to the guest room. Paige had wanted to get ready in private and refused to use my room. I was anxious to see her, having caught a glimpse of the dress my mom had brought over. I had a feeling she was going to knock me off my feet.
I rolled my shoulders and stretched my neck. Our “nap” had done me good, and I was relaxed and ready to take my girl out and show her off. I made sure my credit card was in my pocket in case I saw her eyeing anything on the auction table. I wanted to spoil her.
A soft throat-clearing made me turn around, and I drank in the sight before me.
Paige was a goddess.
The rich blue silk swirled around her knees. Her sexy shoulders and collarbone were on display, the skin creamy and soft against the blue. Her hair was swept up, and her earrings sparkled under the light. Her legs, always firm and shapely, looked amazing in those heels. She wore more makeup than I was used to, her eyes smoky and sexy and her lips stained in a deep red.
She took my breath away.
I drew closer, shaking my head. “Paige, baby. I have no words. You are stunning. That dress. Those heels. Jesus, I’m going to have a hard time taking you out in public.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, inhaling her soft scent. “I don’t want to share. I want to keep you here and ravish you.”
She blushed, looking down. Then she smiled and met my eyes. “I like those words.”
I lifted her hand and kissed it. “Good. I’ll keep them coming all night.”
“You aren’t going to kiss me?”
“I don’t want to mess up your, ah, mouth. The lipstick.”
“It’s non-smudgeable. Kiss-proof.”
“Really?”
“That’s what the ad says.”
I stepped closer. “Frankly, that’s like a challenge, then. I can’t say no. I need to prove them wrong.”
Her eyes danced. “Good.”
I lowered my head. “Let the games begin.”
As far as these dinners went, so far, this one wasn’t half bad. I was certain it had a lot to do with the woman beside me. I know it had a great deal to do with the fact that I was able to prove the kiss-proof claim as a sham. Only a slight darkening of her lips remained once I finished with Paige before we left the house.
She had to redo her hair as well. I was quite proud of both things. She reapplied her lipstick, and I was determined to prove my theory again before the end of the night. She was too tempting not to.
We were a little late, finding my family at the table already. A couple of bottles of wine were open, and I poured a glass of white for Paige and ordered myself a tonic with lime. I was driving so not drinking, even though I had to admit it would make the night more bearable.
Everyone at the table commented on how lovely Paige looked. My father was especially verbose in his praise. She was embarrassed by their words, meeting my eyes as the color rose in her cheeks. I bent close and kissed the warm skin. “Told you, Sweet Pea.”