“Uh huh.” He grins, heart-stoppingly handsome. “Admit it. You want to move in with me.”
“Why would I admit something so egregiously wrong?”
“I’ll wear you down.”
“You can try.” I tilt my head. “You know, you might persuade me quicker if you incorporated some sexual favors into your bargaining strategy…”
“Good tip. I’ll consider that.”
I laugh and kiss him. “Okay. I’m leaving now. A bubble bath is calling my name. If you can figure out whichhomeI’m heading to, you should come join me when you’re done here.”
“I won’t be too late.” His eyes hold mine. “If you wait another twenty minutes, I’ll come with you. I shouldn’t leave until Sloan introduces me to one of the foreign distributors. He’s just gone to track him down…”
“No rush. The bubbles will wait.” I wink goodbye at him, then turn to find Masters. He and Harper aren’t far — I spot them hovering by the wall on the other side of the theatre. He looks thoroughly bored; she looks utterly captivated.
“Hey,” I call, approaching.
Harper’s excited eyes meet mine. She looks stunning — her hair is back to blue-black, a stunning contrast to her ivory gown. “This isincredible. The makeup! The jewelry! The dresses!” She sighs dreamily. “Seriously. I’m never leaving.”
“That’s inconvenient…” My lips twist. “I was about to ask Masters to drive me home.”
“We haven’t even hit an after party yet!”
“I know. I’m just exhausted. This much activity after two weeks of house arrest… It’s a little overwhelming.” I stare pointedly at the champagne flowing freely around us, as waiters carry trays through the crowd. “Plus, I can’t drink. Perks of the pregnancy. And as fun as it is to stand around, completely sober, while everyone else gets toasted… I think I’d prefer a long soak in a bubble bath with a good book.”
Harper sighs. “You’re a wet blanket, you know that?”
“Fully aware.”
“Good. So long as you recognize it.” She looks around wistfully. “This is pretty amazing, though. Even you have to admit that much.”
I nod. “You know, you don’t have to come with me. You can stay — in fact, youshouldstay. Grab a ride home with Wyatt. He’s not leaving yet.”
She squeals, eyes wide. “Really?”
“Really.”
She turns to Masters. “You don’t mind if I stay a bit longer, do you honey?”
“Let’s see…” His eyes glitter as he tugs at the collar of his tuxedo. “I get to escape early and take off this penguin suit you forced me to wear, while you stay here and wear yourself out talking about dresses and fashion, so later you’re happy and complacent when you crawl into bed with me?” He practically grins. “Yeah, babe. Safe to say I don’t mind.”
She glares at him. “You’re a jerk.”
“You love me.”
“Stop saying things like that!” she hisses. “It’s way too soon!”
He shrugs. “Nah.”
“Impossible man.” She throws up her hands.
“Love you too, babe.”
She screams again as he presses a kiss to her temple. “Again —way too soon,you lunatic!”
Masters ignores her.
“I’ll get the car,” he tells me, just before he turns and stalks away.