His Secretary's Surprise Fiance

“That’s such a mom thing to say.” Still, it warmed her heart even if she knew Dempsey far better than her mother. “Does parenting come with a handbook of mom sayings to cheer up dejected daughters?”

She wanted to trust in her mother’s words but she was scared to believe that Dempsey could care about her like that.

“Mothers know.” She tipped her temple to Addy’s, the scent of lemon verbena drifting up from her hair.

“Well, I’m not sure about the engagement or where that’s going, but I’ll tell him about this manufacturing space tonight. The Hurricanes play in Atlanta tomorrow and I’m going with him. After the game, we’ll have some time together to talk and I’ll see what he thinks.” Or she hoped they would have time together.

Last Sunday, after their home opener, they’d had a nice dinner. But Dempsey had seemed distracted this week, ever since his dinner with his brothers. She knew he was worried about his grandfather, but it seemed as if he’d been busy every night since, only falling into bed with her at midnight and sleeping for a few hours.

He also made hot, toe-curling love to her until she couldn’t see straight. She couldn’t complain about that part. But she did wish she had more time with him, since it felt as though the clock was ticking down on their arrangement.

And no matter what her mother said to cheer her, Adelaide had seen no sign from Dempsey that he’d fallen in love.

* * *

“I’m dying to know where you’re taking me.” Adelaide glanced over at Dempsey sitting beside her in the limo he’d booked after the game. “I’ve never known you to be so mysterious.”

When she’d checked into the hotel where the team was staying the night before, the concierge had given her a card from Dempsey, who had on-site duties at the Atlanta stadium when they’d landed. The card had invited her on a date to an undisclosed location after Sunday’s one-o’clock game against Atlanta. A jaw-dropping Versace gown awaited her in their suite, burgundy lace with a plunging neckline that kept everything covered but—wow. The Louboutin sky-high heels that accompanied it were the most exotic footwear she’d ever slid on, the signature red sole dazzling her almost as much as the satin toes with hand-crafted embellishments.

If she looked down her crossed legs now, she could see the pretty toes peeping out from the handkerchief hem of the tulle skirting.

He folded her hand in his, the crisp white collar of his shirt emphasizing his deep tan gained from spending every day on the practice field. “I owed you a date night. You were kind enough to be my date for the Brighter NOLA ball, so it seemed like you ought to have a night that was just for you.”

His Tom Ford tuxedo was obviously custom tailored, since off-the-rack sizes never fit an athlete’s body, and the black fabric skimmed his physique perfectly. The black silk-peaked lapels made her itch to run her hand up and down the material.

Later.

For now she just wanted to know where they were headed. She’d never seen Dempsey race out of a stadium so early. She hadn’t even attended the game, taking her time to dress in the hotel, then taking the limo to the VIP pickup outside the stadium. Traffic had been slow at first, but it wasn’t even six o’clock yet. Almost two hours before sunset.

“I’d be surprised if there are many restaurants out this way,” she observed, peering out the windows as they drove toward Stone Mountain, winding through quieter roads.

It was early yet, but her invitation had mentioned a special “sunset dinner.”

A mysterious smile played around his mouth. A mouth that had brought her such pleasure.

“There’s a surprise first. I hope you’re not too hungry.”

“I think I’m too excited to be hungry.” She felt the first flutter of nerves, because Dempsey looked so serious for a date night.

She wanted to ask him about that. About his grandfather’s health. Maybe that was what had been bothering him all week. But just then, the limo came to a clearing in the trees and a flash of rainbow-colored silk fluttered through the sky.

“How beautiful!” She clutched his arm, pointing to a hot-air balloon being inflated on a nearby field.

At the same moment, the limo slowed and turned into the field, heading right toward the balloon.

She stilled.

“Don’t tell me...” She turned toward him, and saw the first hint of a smile on his face. “Is this the surprise?”

“Only if you’d like it to be.” He squeezed her hand.