But I didn’t.
Mitchell Parker was going to know that I wasn’t another girl willing to follow him around any time he smiled at me. Dragging in a deep breath, I took a step closer. His entire body seemed to quiver as I grew closer. The hint that I had such a strong effect on him did crazy things to my heart.
In a soft whisper, I asked, “Would you let me share your bed, Mitchell?”
His eyes lit up and my stomach fluttered. I had my answer before he even opened his mouth. His hand pushed a piece of loose hair behind my ear. “You’re the only woman I want in my bed, Corina.”
I lifted on my toes, and Mitchell leaned down, our lips inches apart.
“Nice to know,” I said. “Let me get back to you on that one.” Dropping down, I walked around him and left him alone in the women’s restroom.
I couldn’t hide the smile on my face as I walked back to the table.
Corina one.
Mitchell zero.
What in the fuck just happened?
I held my chest and tried to get it to settle down, while also trying to figure out what in the hell Corina just did to me.
The bathroom door opened and an older woman walked in. She let out a gasp and looked around.
“I’m…I’m sorry,” I said. “I walked into the wrong restroom.”
She gave me a polite smile and stepped out of my way, allowing me to retreat. I was pretty sure that was Mrs. Hathaway, my English teacher in twelfth grade.
By the time I made it back to the table, I was twisted completely around inside. Corina Miller was going to be the death of me.
As I sat down, Corina smiled. “You get lost?”
“Something like that.”
Her smile dropped for a moment before it returned.
“Well, let’s get back to the party planning!” my mother said with a light clap of her hands. Everyone soon got lost in the plans. I replied every now and then. My head was still spinning, and I couldn’t concentrate. Especially with Corina sitting next to me. Every now and then our legs would touch, or I’d get a glimpse of her perfect tits in that black dress.
“Mitchell? Mitchell!”
Lifting my eyes, I looked at my mother. “Yeah?”
“Does that sound good to you?”
I had no damn clue what she was asking me. “Does what sound good?”
Her head shifted to the side. “Have you even been listening?”
“If the boy is smart, he learned the art of tuning out long ago,” my father said with a chuckle.
“Sorry, Mom. My mind was somewhere else.”
Her eyes seemed to sympathize. She probably thought the distraction was a case I was working on. In a way…it was.
Operation Win Corina’s Heart.
“We’re going to have the party at our house,” Mom said. “Chloe wants it to be Halloween themed.”
With a smile, I replied, “Wouldn’t it be easier to just have a Halloween party?”
“That’s what I said!” Steed added.
“No! Daddy, please!”
Chloe stared up at Steed with those blue eyes, and I knew he was toast.
“I think a Halloween birthday party sounds perfect!” I said, saving my brother the embarrassment of caving to his daughter, yet again.
Chloe jumped up. “Yay! I’m so happy!”
The rest of dinner was filled with two different conversations. The girls talked about Corina’s ideas for remodeling her house, and I talked to Steed and my father about the embezzlement case that was being investigated, involving Dad’s former best friend. I had to bring in another Texas Ranger due to the fact that it was my father’s business that the money had been stolen from. This case had been going on for quite a while and we were finding out that the embezzling went deeper than anyone could have imagined.
“Uncle Mitchell, can I spend the night at your house?” Chloe asked out of the blue.
“Of course you can, squirt.”
Her sweet little face lit up. “Yay! We can have a Frozen party.”
I smiled. “That sounds good.”
“Well, Corina and I are going to head out,” Waylynn said.
“Where are you girls headed?” my mother asked.
“Cord’s Place. We both need a night out on the town.”
My eyes drifted over Corina. She looked hot as hell and for a brief second I wished I hadn’t said Chloe could spend the night. I wanted to go and make sure no asshole put his hands on Corina.
“Well, be careful girls,” Mom said. “Don’t drink and drive!”
Waylynn said, “Trust me, Mom. I would never do that. Besides, I don’t want my own brother arresting me!”
“That might be kind of fun!” I said with a laugh.
“Yeah, you would think that. Good thing you’re off tonight.”
“It was so wonderful seeing you again, John and Melanie,” Corina said with a beautiful smile. “Chloe, I’ll see you later?”
Chloe smiled. “Okay! Bye, Aunt Corina.” She had no idea Corina was living at my place. I couldn’t help but notice how Corina’s eyes lit up when she talked to Chloe. I wondered if she’d want to have kids right away or wait.