Veda’s heart squeezed. “That is so sweet.”
“I’d been going through some difficulties myself. Not a death, thank heaven. But enough to spin my world around ’til I didn’t know which way was up. Life can be like that sometimes. Downright dizzying.” Straightening, she resurrected her gentle smile. “I got the job and haven’t looked back since. I’ve never felt more fulfilled. I’d always wanted children of my own, so those kids were the icing on my cake. Griff, Ajax, Lanie and, of course, Jacob.”
Lanie had mentioned Griff, the Wall Street kingpin, as well as her adopted brother, whom she idolized as much as the other two. “Jacob’s a lawyer, right?”
“With an outstanding reputation. He came to us through a juvie program.” She toyed with the diamond stud as she clarified, “For years, Huxley ran a scheme here for boys in trouble who might benefit from fresh scenery and a little guidance. While they helped with chores, they learned about responsibility as well as what they were capable of and, more importantly, what they deserved out of life. Jacob had a terrible childhood, but Huxley saw something very special in that boy. He decided to fill the void and give him a real home.”
Veda’s chest tightened and expanded all at once. It was easy to tell that Susan had a generous heart, like Veda’s mom, who had always been willing to see the best in people. Sometimes that kind of faith was uplifting. At other times, it was naive. Even foolish.
As the music segued into a slower, older tune, Susan glanced up at speakers hidden among the fairy lights. “Oh, I love this song.”
The lyrics spoke of stars falling from the sky and longing to be close to someone.
Veda smiled. “I know it.”
“I was so young when it came out. Back then I couldn’t imagine having a gray hair or wrinkle. Time’s so precious. The most precious thing we have.” She held Veda’s gaze when she emphasized, “Once it’s gone, there’s no getting it back.”
Just then, Veda felt Ajax glance her way. While his gaze, curious and hot, locked with hers through the crowd, Susan straightened.
“Well, I’m going to find someone to share this dance with.” As she headed off, Susan gave Veda a wink. “Maybe you should, too.”
Perhaps it was the commanding picture Ajax painted in that crisp tuxedo, the knowing smile hovering at the corners of his mouth, or simply the song that amplified the moment. For whatever reason, when Ajax looked between her and the dance floor and then raised his brows in suggestion, Veda felt slightly light-headed. A little too eager to agree.
Since sharing that drink earlier, the anticipation had only built…delicious, taut and unrelenting. Now, as Ajax extended his arms in the air in front of him like he was already slow-dancing with her, Veda felt an unraveling. Like a corset being unlaced. Like she could finally breathe out and relax.
Time was precious, and this night and its challenges were almost over. Wasn’t this an appropriate and mature way to say goodbye?
She walked toward him. He met her halfway. After taking her hand in his much larger, far warmer one, he turned to escort her to the dance floor. Once they were surrounded by other couples, Ajax positioned their joined hands higher near his lapel while his free palm slid around to rest against the sensitive small of her back. As he smiled into her eyes, she quivered with the same kind of longing the song spoke about. Which was only to be expected, and nothing she couldn’t handle. And when they began to move, his expert steps guiding hers, she was okay with his strength and his touch. She had no trouble owning her body’s response to his scent and his heat.
“You met Susan,” he said.
“She’s a big fan of yours.”
“Ah, she likes everyone. Heart of gold.”
“She said you’re the reason she’s here.”
His smile kicked up one corner of his mouth again. “The first time we met, I knew she’d fit in. Turns out, even better than I hoped. She and Dad have more than a professional relationship now. They’re more than friends.”
“But they never married.”
While he thought that through, his hot palm shifted on her back—moving slightly lower, pressing harder. “I’ve never asked why. Not my business. They’re happy. That’s what it’s all about.”
As his gaze brushed her cheek, then her lips, the sexual pull tugged even more strongly. Everything about him was soothing, beguiling, on top of being sexy to a giddy fault. If he ever took a page from his father’s book and settled down, all Veda could say was that his wife would be a very lucky girl.
Lanie was dancing nearby, but she didn’t seem to notice them, or anyone else for that matter. Rather she looked besotted with her partner, a classic tall, dark and incredibly handsome type. Interesting. Lanie was supposed to be into her career way more than the opposite sex. It was one of the things the two women had bonded over.
Veda asked Ajax, “Who’s Lanie dancing with?”
Ajax didn’t turn around to check. Instead the two couples drifted farther apart.
“Lanie has a lot of friends.”
Veda nodded at the crowd. “At least a couple hundred.”
“You wouldn’t know it now, but once upon a time she was shy. Guess we all outgrow that childhood stuff.”
Veda recalled Susan’s story about the kid who had taken over the reins in an effort to help his grieving family. She couldn’t imagine Ajax ever being awkward, lacking confidence, doubting himself or not having just the right words. Having just the right everything.
The song finished up. As the DJ cued his upcoming selection, the moment stretched out. Veda and Ajax looked into each other’s eyes and invisible strings worked to tug them even closer together. When the DJ played a faster, louder song, Ajax led her through the crowd to a quieter semi-hidden corner where blinking lights didn’t quite penetrate and only the most curious eyes might see. As they faced each other again, with his hand still holding hers, the physical awareness zapping between them became fully charged. She imagined what might come next…
Would Ajax lift her chin and claim his first kiss of the evening?
If she let that happen, she’d be lost.
Sucking down a breath, Veda shored herself up and announced, “I’m going to call it a night.”
His head went back. “You mean now?”
“It’s getting late.” They had less than an hour until midnight. “No one’s left that I know.”
“You know me.”
Intimately. But better to avoid that fact.
“Lanie’s obviously occupied for a while.” Veda remembered how entranced her friend had looked with her dance partner. She wouldn’t interrupt that chemistry to say good-night. “I’ll call and check in with her tomorrow.”
“You’re not staying over? I thought Lanie might have offered you a—”
“I’m staying at Dad’s tonight.”
A couple of days ago, she had called to give her father a heads-up. When she’d dropped in there earlier today to stash her overnight bag and change, he had been reading a book in his favorite chair. He had complimented her gown, adding, “It must be a swanky event.” When Veda admitted that she was going to help celebrate Lanie’s birthday at the Rawson property, her father’s fingers had tightened around the book. He had restrained himself from trying to talk her out of entering enemy territory, although he had made it clear that he would be waiting