Page 56 of Easy Reunion

Congratulations! Is this the Chinese/Italian food on your suit deal?

I snort out loud at her response.I’m never going to live that down. Yes. It’s finally done.

Let me know when and where to meet you.I’m about to start typing when another text comes in.And Ry, I’m so thrilled for you. I know you worked hard for this.

The warmth of her words steal through my body and my soul.

The way they always have.

Quickly, I look up and then paste in the address to Cafe Amelie in our chat before I begin to tie up a few loose ends so I can celebrate this incredible success for all of Bayou Enterprises.

* * *

A few hours later,I’m standing with a glass of bourbon in my hand when a vision glides into the courtyard. Amid a sea of suits of black, dark blue, and dark gray, the silvery gray of her sleeveless dress stands out like a beacon. My breath catches as her hair gleams like luxurious mink under the lights strung overhead as her head swivels from right to left. Then all the breath leaves my body when our eyes meet. I almost fumble my drink when she slowly smiles at me as she continues to weave her way through the bodies to make her way to where I’m standing.

“Hey,” Kelsey says breathlessly. Reaching up, she brushes a kiss on the underside of my jaw. “Sorry I’m late. It was impossible to find parking.”

My arm slips around her waist as naturally as breathing. “I’m just glad you were able to make it.” I curl her close for a one-arm hug.

“If this party is anything to go by, it seems my earlier congratulations were fairly lukewarm,” she teases. “Either that, or is Cafe Amelie code for the employee cafeteria?”

I let loose a laugh that has several people turning their heads. “With the amount of time we all spend eating here, we should negotiate an employee discount,” I tell her. “You look…beautiful isn’t the right word, Kelsey. Luminescent, perhaps?”

Her head ducks shyly as a stain of color brightens her cheeks. “I…thank you. I hoped this would be okay. I looked online to see what people normally wear here. It wasn’t much help.” She frowns, making her so adorable. I want to kiss her, claim her, in front of everyone here so they know she’s mine. But I can’t. I don’t have that right. Not yet, anyway.

The hand still holding my drink comes up next to her face. I run my thumb along her jaw. Her eyes flare in response. The heat between us has been simmering. Each time we’ve left each other, my lips have met hers in some way: a sweet brush, a quick press, or a delicious taste that leaves me aching for more. I want nothing more than to sink inside her luscious body again, but I owe her everything before that. Well, as much of it as I’m able to surrender.

So, after the barest of caresses, I’ve walked away with nothing but Kelsey on my mind, every moment, every second.

Leaning down, I brush her nose with mine. A puff of air escapes her lips. “Have dinner with me tomorrow night at my place? I was going to ask you to dinner tonight before the party came up—somewhere quiet so we can talk. And then I got your text.”

The black of her pupils eclipses the gray of her eyes as they dilate. We’re suspended in our own world, lost in this moment, in each other. Centuries of time could be racing by us and I don’t think either of us would notice. She steps closer, her curves fitting all my hollows. Her whispered “Yes” sets me aflame.

I barely restrain myself from bending her back over my arm to show her what she does to me. Instead, I step back. Loosening the band I have around her waist, I hold my arm out for her to slip hers through. “Come on,” I grate out.

At her quizzical gaze, I lean in slightly. “It’s either introduce you to a few of my colleagues or do something completely inappropriate.”

“Well, we can’t have that, can we?” Her voice is rich with laughter.

“For now, Kels. For now,” I growl softly, as we approach one of the lawyers on my team and his partner, who works in marketing.

The wicked smile she sends me tells me she wholeheartedly agrees.