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In her late eighties, but as active as some people in their twenties or thirties, Althea had beamed when I introduced her to Tina, telling me it was high time I had brought a smart girl to one of her charity soirees.
As a widow without children, she donated most of her money to philanthropic organizations. We’d met through the literacy group that was tonight’s beneficiary.
“Here, I mostly work with small businesses and homeowners,” Tina said, “but in California, I worked in a larger firm and had many well-known companies using my services.”
“Are you any good?” Althea gave Tina a probing look.
“Yes, absolutely,” she said, unfazed by the direct question.
Althea gave an approving smile. “I like you. It’s very common for women in our male-dominated society to downplay their accomplishments. Don’t ever be afraid to let yourself shine, Tina.” She gave her a pat on the arm. “I’ll have my assistant look you up…I might call you.”
She then turned to me and tapped her cheek.
Tina looked surprised when I kissed Althea’s cheek, but didn’t say anything.
“She’s an amiable lady,” I said, feeling a little self-conscious. “I can’t say that about many people.”
Her lips curved in a beautiful smile, eyes gleaming as she stepped closer. “It’s sweet.”
Laying my hands on her waist, the delicate material of her dress warm against her skin, I raised a brow. “I’m not sweet, Tina.”
“Don’t worry.” She laughed, her head falling back so she could hold my gaze. “I won’t tell anyone that you have this big fatal flaw.”
Lips twitching, I stroked her through the material of the dress, my thumbs barely able to detect the faint line caused by her panties. “Fatal flaw, is it? I can already see the headlines.”
Tina laughed, and I wrapped my arms around her, maneuvering the two of us over to the side of the ballroom so we wouldn’t be in the way of couples and small groups gathering to talk or mingle.
“You’re a brat,” I told her.
Shoulders still shaking with her laughter, Tina looked up. “And you’re adorable.”
Not being able to control myself, I dipped my head and covered her mouth with mine.
Around us, the ball carried on. The sun was setting, and the doors to the ballrooms were flung open long ago, allowing guests to move freely between the opulent interior and the well-lit terrace.
Her lips parted, hands coming up to fist in the lapels of my suit.
Tongue sliding out to tease mine, she moaned as I slid my hand down to cup her hip, pulling her in tight against me.
Someone nearby cleared their throat.
I might have ignored them, but we were at Althea’s house, so I ended the kiss and lifted my head to look into Tina’s heat-drenched gaze.
“You still haven’t found it?” she exhaled.
I stared at her, confused.
“The ‘private’ spot.”
I remembered what I’d taunted her with earlier at her house, dipped my head and murmured in her ear, “Don’t tempt me.”
“I’m not. I’m pouting.” To back up the words, she poked her lower lip out playfully.
“You’re driving me crazy.”
But instead of nudging her away, my gaze landed on a large, elaborate clock. We were less than fifteen minutes away from the fireworks display.
Offering my hand, I waited for her to take it.