She smothered a smile, raising her own glass. “To my first symphony and a night to be someone other than Mommy.”
Tapping her glass, he said, “Tonight, I promise you, when I hold you in my arms, you definitely won’t feel like a mommy.” The look in his eyes and his wicked smile left her in no doubt as to his meaning.
Her lips parted as she leaned toward him. This handsome man, so kind to her in every way, reached into the center of her being—answered an elemental yearning that had crushed her from the earliest memories she owned. That terrible craving came from poverty—never, ever having enough. With Ethan, she was safe from hunger, unmet needs, nameless wanting. He had everything she ever wished for. She touched his face. “I don’t thank you enough for the kind things you do for me. I’m looking forward to this weekend, too.”
He leaned in, brushing the softest, feathery kisses across her lips. Pulling back, he caught her gaze. “I love taking care of you. I want to spend the rest of my life finding ways to make your life better. You need to understand that, Dallas.”
Like balm on a scraped knee, his words eased her. Smiling, she sat back in the seat and closed her eyes. The thrum of the car’s powerful engine lulled her.
A moment later, Ethan clasped her hand.
She opened her eyes and took a sip of wine. Squeezing his fingers, she stared out the window. This would be a wonderful life. She’d never want for anything. He would cherish her, and Piper would have the best life could offer. How could she not choose Ethan?
JUST AFTER SEVEN WITH Dallas on his arm, Ethan walked toward their boxed seats, near the stage. The box belonged to one of his childhood friends who allowed Ethan to use it on occasion. Men were staring at Dallas, and no wonder. The long, emerald-green, off-the-shoulder gown fit every contour of her stunning figure. With her hair piled high on her head, leaving loose strands to curl around her face and neck, there wasn’t a more beautiful woman in the room. And she was his. Damned if he wouldn’t do everything in his power this weekend to make sure she chose him. As they arrived at their seats, he slid his arm around her waist and ushered her inside. They had the box to themselves tonight.
A waitress came by a few minutes later, and he ordered wine.
Dallas’s eyes were glued to the stage where the musicians tuned their instruments and visited quietly with each other, making a wild mishmash of sounds.
He caught her gaze, and she grinned at him. Clasping her hand, he asked, “What do you think?”
Excitement bled through her fingers, and she answered in a rush. “I didn’t know there were so many people in a symphony. I can’t wait until they start.”
The wine arrived, and he handed her a glass. “The lights go out, and it’s dark except for the stage. Your whole world becomes the music. I lose myself in it every time. I can’t help it.”
Her eyes widened, and she sighed. “Oh, Ethan. How lucky you are to enjoy nights like this in your life.”
Sliding his arm around her, he said, “I’m lucky to have nights like this with you in my life.”
She kissed his cheek and looked out over the stage again.
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her beautiful face, long, slender neck, and those full breasts pushing up from the scooping neckline of the dress were like a siren’s call. His fingers itched to touch every inch of her gorgeous body. Not tonight, though. She wasn’t quite there, yet. Now, New York, that was a different story. If he had his way, and he was sure he would, his time with her in New York would be something else entirely.
The hall quieted as the conductor came on stage. The crowd applauded with enthusiasm, and he bowed. As the man gathered the attention of the musicians, Ethan glanced at Dallas. The music began, and she leaned forward, her eyes wide and that beautiful mouth of hers slightly open. He wanted to kiss those full lips and drive everything but thoughts of him from her mind. He set his chin on his steepled hands. There would be time for that. Let her enjoy this first taste of exquisite music.
At the end of the evening, when the last note sounded, Dallas leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes, clasping her hands to her breast. “Ethan, this was the most beautiful night I’ve ever spent. I’ll never be able to thank you enough.”
He brushed her cheek with his knuckles. “I loved watching you enjoy it. We have dinner reservations. Are you hungry?”
She raised her brows and laughed. “I just realized I’m famished.”
“Come on, then.”
He’d already texted the driver, and their limo was outside waiting for them. The restaurant was close and, in no time, they were seated at a table, sipping wine.
Ethan glanced over his menu and asked, “Are you tired?”
“I am, and I can’t understand why. It’s like I ran a marathon or something.”
Laughing, he said, “You lived every note of that music. It’s no wonder.”
“I’ll sure sleep good tonight.”
He smothered a smile. That depended. He might have her so revved up before he turned her loose it would take hours for her to fall asleep. She’d accept his marriage proposal when it came. He’d make sure of that.
They didn’t dawdle over dinner, and he pulled Dallas into his arms as they rode back to the hotel.
Closing her eyes, she snuggled into him and relaxed. He planted tiny kisses on her forehead, and she lifted her mouth for a kiss, eyes still closed. His belly tightened. She looked so damned vulnerable like that, and infinitely more desirable. Her lips were petal-soft. He shivered, the intensity of his need pulsing through him. Yet, he slowed. Tracing the seam of her lips with the
