Renaissance: A Contemporary Erotic Romance (Iris Series Book 5) (27 page)

His eyes glittered and he rubbed her cheek.  “Fierce.”

She’d seen him intense.  She’d never seen him fierce except for the glimpses of it several hours earlier.

“Frenzied,” he continued before she could speak.  Then pointedly, he said, “Crazy.”

A moment passed between them and her chest rose and fell quickly.  “Um,” she croaked out. 

He leaned closer to her ear.  “I’m feeling very impatient tonight,” he said pointedly.  “I couldn’t wait to get here.  I’m sorry I’m late.  Do you forgive me?”

She was still mesmerized by him, staring at his lips.  A moment passed.

“What have you done with my Tiffany?” he chuckled.  “The Tiffany I’ve come to love is never speechless.”

She blinked.  Did he just say –?  Holy
shit.
Her brain had just gone on the fritz and for the first time in a long time, the proverbial cat had gotten her tongue.

He smiled innocently.  “I’ll have to see if I can get you to talk more later.”

“Of course I forgive you,” she finally said, figuring that would be safer.  “I’m really glad you made it.”  She took a deep breath and reached for his hand, holding it.

“Are you doing okay?”

She nodded.  “But I have to admit, it’s much better now that you’re here.  I’m discovering that you still make me nervous in some ways, but you calm me in others.”

He smiled and nuzzled her ear.  “Are you going to elaborate on the ways I make you nervous and the ways I make you calm?”

“Maybe when we have that talk later,” she whispered and looked up at him.

“Oh, we will definitely be adding that to the discussion, Ms. Daniels.  Among other topics.”

His eyes made her warm and gooey on the inside.  “Is everything okay with Katrina?”

“Yeah.  We said our goodbyes and there were some tears, but she wished us both the best.”

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Tiffany repeated.  She couldn’t help it.  She
was
.

“There was so much traffic.  I’m sorry I wasn’t here earlier.”  He looked around and nodded to Luke across the room when they saw each other.  “I know you need to start greeting people.”

He was right, it seemed that people were beginning to arrive in droves and she needed to hit the floor.  “I do.”

“You sound disappointed.”

“I just wish I had more time with you.”

“Maybe I’ll work the floor with you.”

“I would love that,” she said with a huge smile, and squeezed his hand.

“I would love that too.  Why don’t you start, and I’ll get us some drinks.”

“Sounds good.  And my parents are here,” she said and held onto his arm before he could leave.

“Nice,” he grinned.  “Point them out to me.”  She did.  “I’ll go introduce myself.  I’ll be right back with the drinks.”

Before he could leave, she leaned up and kissed his cheek. 
I love you.
“Thanks.”

His eyebrows went up.  “For what?”

“For just being you.”

His eyes looked into hers, about to speak when he was interrupted.

“Everything okay over here?” her twin brother said from behind him. 

Luke and Drew shook hands and hit each others’ backs, greeting each other with smiles.  Janie was there too and hugged Drew hello, all the while accepting his compliments on her appearance and the spread of food.

“Everything’s great.  I’m about to go meet your parents, then get your sister something to drink so she can start working the crowd.”  Drew squeezed Tiffany’s hand then turned toward her parents and the drink area.  He looked back at them all.  “I’ll see you in a bit.” 

“I’ll be right over,” Luke said.

Tiffany just watched Drew’s form walking from her, his mouth now smiling at Mike who was introducing him to her parents.

“Lukey, not only would I say that everything is more than okay over here, I’d say your sister is a little hot under the collar.  I think the doc is prepping her for some serious surgery.”

Tiffany finally came out of her aroused stupor, and turned to Janie at her comment. 

Janie continued talking, her eyes sparkling.  “And from the looks of your face, it looks like you’re ready for the scalpel.”

“
Cristo
, do we need to talk about my sister’s sex life with me standing right here?” Luke asked sardonically.

“No.  We could continue talking about it while you go stand over there,” she said sweetly and pointed to where Drew was meeting her parents.

Tiffany chuckled, not only loving that Drew was talking to her parents all on his own, but also how her future sister-in-law and her twin interacted.  Luke loved her sarcastic mouth, and gave it right back to her at regular intervals.

“
Tu boca
,” he mumbled, commenting on her mouth.  Then he put his hand on the back of her head, gently pulled her hair while forcing her to look up at him, and whispered something to her before kissing her softly on the lips.  He let her go, gave her a cocked eyebrow, and then looked at his sister with a grin.  “I’m going to go save your new boyfriend from our mother.  And Tiff?”

“Yeah?”

“
Elige bien
.” 

Tiffany smiled and choked down a sob.  “
Gracias, Lucas.
”

Luke hugged her tightly, then walked toward Drew and their parents.

“What did he say?” Janie demanded.

“He said that I chose well.”  They both gave each other a sweet look.  “And what did he say to you?” Tiffany asked, holding in a laugh and knowing full well that Luke had said something sexual to her.

“As his sister, you don’t want to know.  But your brother makes me want to do things, Tiff.  No way around it, whatever he wants, I’m doing it, because, Lord, he is hot.”  Janie swigged back her wine.

Tiffany cringed but smiled at her.  “Yeah, thanks, but you’re right. I don’t need any more details.”

Tiffany watched as her parents laughed about something, Luke looking conspiratorially at her from where he was standing with Drew and the group.  Drew’s eyes met hers, a hint of a smile on his perfect, kissable mouth.

She wanted to attack that perfect, kissable mouth.  “If my brother makes you want to do things, then Drew does it for me tenfold.”

Janie linked her arm through Tiffany’s. “Go work your magic, babe.  This is your night.”

Drew finally grabbed two glasses from a passing tray, said goodbye to her parents, and walked toward her.  Moments later, he joined her with a glass of white wine. 

They spent the next several minutes talking to some local politicians and celebrities, and after a half hour, Tiffany finally had a moment to pull him aside to talk.

“How were my parents?”

“Your mom loves me,” he said confidently.

“That’s not surprising,” she said with sarcasm.  “She’s a passionate woman who can spot a good man from a mile away.”

“I think your dad liked me too.”

“I’m sure he did,” she smiled, looking up at him.  “I told them about you earlier and they were both excited to meet you.”

“The feeling was mutual.”  He stroked her arm.  “I like watching you do this.  This is the first time I’ve ever seen you work a crowd.”  He leaned to her ear.  “It makes me want to be very impatient with you.”

A shiver of delight went through her.  “You know, you’re pretty good at this, too,” she said, finally drinking a little from her glass.  His comment made her throat dry.  “Like charming politicians, et cetera, et cetera.”

He shrugged.  “No one ever told me how political I’d have to be when I became a doctor.  Unfortunately, it comes with the territory.  I know how to be diplomatic, but sometimes I can’t stand all of the glad-handing.”

Tiffany remembered back to New Year’s Eve.  He’d been wonderful at extricating her from the clutches of Deanna Love.

“I hear you.  It’s a necessary evil, but I’ve never enjoyed it myself.  Both Luke and I were raised to know how to speak with diplomats and politicians, but sometimes you just want to say it like it is, you know?”

“Yup.”

“After years of a marriage where my voice wasn’t heard, it taught me to just hide my feelings, play politics,” she paused.  “I remember, after the separation, thinking that I could finally speak truthfully.  Speak my mind.  I’m determined to do that.  With kindness, yes, but I don’t think I could ever go back to that insipid, smiling woman who knew how to cover her pain so well.  Not anymore.”

“No.”  He looked at her tenderly and took her hand. “Not anymore.”

After a moment passed, she said, “Shall we go glad-hand some more people then?”

“I’m at your service,” he murmured with a smile.

They continued to work the room as one unit and within the hour, everyone at the party knew who Dr. Drew Huntington was, how he was connected to the foundation, and without a doubt, that he was the new love interest of the former Mrs. Richard Hewitt.

……

“I see you took my advice.”

Tiffany turned to smile up at Mike Callahan who leaned down to give her a bear hug.  The last hour had been wonderful, speaking with folks, showing off the building, talking up the foundation...but what had made it perfect was to have Drew at her side.

The doctor continued to take a back seat in conversations so she could shine.  It was such a different experience given her past.  He was proud of her, and she was discovering she liked to bask in his glow.  At the moment, he was enjoying some food over by the painting.

“Why does it not surprise me that you would take credit for my love life, Sergeant Callahan?  That is what we’re talking about, isn’t it?” she said, teasing him.

“Of course that’s what we’re talking about.  You played hard to get and now you have the man eating out of your hand.  I told you I knew what I was talking about.”

“You’re right, Mike,” she said, patting his cheek.  “What would I do without you?”

“You’d still be single, for one,” he joked.  Then his face turned serious.  “Drew’s perfect for you, you know.”

“How so?” she asked, already excited about this conversation.

“He’s a gentle giant of a guy.  Brilliant, which goes without saying, but humble.  Me and the guys, we’ve gotten to know him over the last few months with the mentoring program, and I just wanted you to know that we already feel like he’s one of us.  Like he’s part of this ever growing family of wack jobs.”

She laughed.  “Speak for yourself, buddy.”

“He’s in love with you.”

That silenced her immediately but increased her heart rate.  “Why would you say that?”

“Because it’s obvious,” he shrugged.  “Why beat around the bush?  Have you had that conversation yet?”

“I swear Mike, you are so nosy.”

“Ah, so the conversation has not yet been had.”  He took a sip from his drink.

“You’re a pain in my ass,” she grumbled.

“Want more advice?” he grinned.

“No.  The poor girl does not want more of your advice,” Emily said, sidling up to her man just at the right moment.

Mike immediately pulled her close, always demonstrative with her and frankly everyone else.  “Whattaya mean?  How could she not?  I have a very high success rate.”

Emily snorted out a laugh.  “Oh, do you have a list of young lovers you’ve been helping across the City, Sarge?”

“Well, for one, I got you, didn’t I?  And you were by far the most difficult goal I’ve ever reached.  Then, of course, there was Luke, who was absolutely
clue
less,” Mike said, dramatically rolling his eyes.

“I know, baby,” Emily said.  “We’d be lost without you.”

“Exactly,” he beamed then gave her a smacking kiss on the mouth.  “So, back to my advice –”

“Ugh,” Tiffany laughed.

“Tell him.” 

That was all Mike said. 
Tell him.

He gave Tiffany a serious look then took Emily by the hand and escorted her away while the petite attorney turned her head back to look over her shoulder at Tiffany.  Emily was also giving her a look, this one intimating that she agreed with her meddling boyfriend.

Tell him.  Tell him.  Tell him.

Tiffany finished the last of the wine she’d been working on then began to walk over to Drew. 
How should I bring it up?  When should I do it?  Should I wait for later tonight, or should I try to –?

“Excuse me, Ms. Daniels?”

Tiffany looked to her left and saw Alfonso, one of the security guards walking toward her.

“Hi Alfonso.  Everything okay?”

“Jimmy just called me on the radio.  It looks like we have an unexpected visitor.”

“Who is it?”

Alfonso cleared his throat.  “Your ex-husband.”

“Excuse me?”

“Congressman Richard Hewitt is at the door with his fiancé.  He hasn’t made a scene yet, but it’s getting close.  You don’t want him here, right?”

“Wait.  He’s here?  Outside?”  Tiffany couldn’t believe her ears.  What the hell was he doing here? 

“Yes, ma’am.  I’m happy to escort him off the premises.  I just wanted you to know in case he said something to the press out there.”

A surge of righteous anger coursed through her veins.  No.  This man would not ruin this for her.  In fact, she had an overwhelming feeling of strength take over her body.  She would happily use this situation to her advantage, and knowing her ex-husband so well, she knew just how to do it.

She glanced back to where Drew was, and he happened to look in her direction at that very moment.  But Tiffany was already moving, now a woman on a mission.

“I’ll take care of it, Alfonso.  Would you join me, please?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll speak to him and the press, then Congressman Hewitt will be leaving on his own, I’m sure.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Alfonso said with a smile.

Tiffany made it to the door and was able to make eye contact with Lillian in time for the journalist to follow behind her, curiosity and excitement for a story already in her eyes.

Tiffany stepped outside where the cameras were already clicking away.  “Richard,” she said.

The blonde and handsome distinguished man turned toward her, his younger “Tiffany” draped on his arm.  The last time the real Tiffany had seen the two of them together in person was when they were fucking each other in her bedroom.

“Tiffany.  How good to see you,” he said insincerely, but with that damned practiced smile on his face.  He leaned forward to give her a polite and airy kiss.  Tiffany stepped to the side and put her hand on his shoulder to stop him from moving closer.  “Let’s not make a scene, Tiffany,” he said under his breath.

She smiled and said quietly, “Oh, but they’re so much fun, Richard.”  That seemed to be the phrase of the night.

He faltered only slightly and said a little louder, “Apparently there’s an issue with the invitation list.”

She could only thank the good Lord above for the strategy that formed so naturally and beautifully in her brain over the next few moments.  “Is there?  Well that could be because I didn’t realize you would be joining us.”

“Well, Selena and I weren’t sure we’d be able to make it, but at the last minute we were.  I hope it’s not a problem.”  He dropped his voice, “And since it seems that I’ve paid for this whole warehouse, I thought I’d take a look at it.”

Oh, Richard.  You just had to go there. Well then, you have no one to blame but yourself.

“Well,” Tiffany said, raising her voice and looking over at Lillian, “after the sizeable donation you’ll be making to the girls in Harlem, how could I turn you away?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.

She couldn’t believe she ever actually loved this man.  He was nothing but a cold fish.  So plain compared to Drew, who miraculously appeared at that very moment.  She didn’t even need to look up.  She knew it was him by his scent, because the heat and anger were kicking off of him at an alarming rate.

Richard’s eyebrows raised at Tiffany’s remark, but raised even higher as his eyes drifted to Drew.  Drew moved closer and curled his arm around Tiffany’s waist.

“Oh, has the congressman not told these wonderful reporters the amount he offered?” Drew asked, catching on immediately.  No one could accuse the good doctor of being stupid.

“No, he hasn’t,” Lillian said professionally.  “Congressman, how much will you be giving the
Renaissance Girls
Foundation?”

Richard’s expression was priceless, a smile plastered on his slightly green face.

“Well, right now it’s two hundred and fifty thousand dollars,” Tiffany announced.  The amount was a drop in the bucket to the congressman who’d grown up with old money.  Tiffany couldn’t wait to see how the scene would play out.

Drew was trying to hide his smile but was unsuccessful at it, his hand now squeezing her around the waist.  He leaned over and kissed her temple, then said to Richard, “How very generous of you, Congressman,” Drew said, his eyes drilling into the man shrinking before him. 

“I’m sorry, but I don’t believe we’ve met,” Richard smiled through clenched teeth, his eyes on Drew.

“Dr. Drew Huntington.  I belong to Ms. Daniels,” he smiled winningly.  God, Tiffany loved this man.  He
did
belong to her, and she to him.  “I’m sure your money will go a long way in helping these girls,” Drew continued.  Then, “Tiffany tells me you’ve drawn up a five year plan to give money each year?”

She almost burst out laughing.

“Well,” Richard stammered only slightly.

“How much will you be giving when all is said and done, Congressman?” Lillian asked innocently, knowing that this was a complete side swipe to the politician.

“Well,” he said quickly.  “That’s still to be determined.”

“Oh don’t be so modest, Richard,” Tiffany said.  “A million dollars over the next five years is something that should be known, don’t you think?”  She hadn’t had this much fun in years.

It was becoming more and more difficult for Richard not to lose his shit in front of everyone.  He glared at Tiffany, and Drew’s hand only tightened more, as if to say
I’m here, and I’m not going anywhere
. 

Richard had tons of money, and Richard knew that Tiffany knew it.  Which made it all the more distasteful that he’d used her in their marriage to make her raise funds for him by calling every political friend she’d ever had.  God forbid he should ever use a dime of his own money. 

Times have changed, Richard.

The reporters were on him in a second, peppering him with questions:  ‘Why so much, Congressman?’  ‘Is this to assuage your guilt over the circumstances of your divorce with Ms. Daniels?’  ‘How generous of you to give so willingly...’

Within seconds, Richard was not only called out on his public and horrible actions which led to their divorce, but was redeemed in the eyes of the press for giving so much money to a worthy cause.

Richard, ever the politician, recognized that, and true to his nature rose to the occasion.

“Well, it was the least I could do,” he began, already preparing to give a speech.  “Tiffany and I agreed that this foundation was worthy of...”

Richard prattled on and Tiffany knew her work here was done.  She knew he wouldn’t come inside.  His pride wouldn’t allow him to after what she’d just done.  But by putting him in a corner so publicly, she had guaranteed a nice bank account for the girls.  She needed to get in and tell Emily, hoping she could draft something up and have it to Richard’s lawyer within the hour.

But before she did that, she had something to do.  Something that was worth more than all of the money in the world.  She turned to Drew who was smiling down at her.

Tell him.

“I’m in love with you,” she said quietly, with all of the buzz around them and flashbulbs going off.

It couldn’t have been more perfect.

He stopped, like he wasn’t sure if he’d heard her correctly.  Then he took her face.  “I’m in love with you too, Tiffany Daniels.”  He kissed her and she wound her arms around his neck.  The flashbulbs now turned to them.

‘Tiffany, who is Dr. Huntington?’ ‘Tiffany, is the doctor your new boyfriend?’ ‘What is Dr. Huntington’s role in the foundation?’ ‘She’s definitely traded up...’ was the last comment she’d heard.

She just held on tight and kissed him some more.

……

“...after coming into a large sum of money last summer,” Tiffany continued in her speech, waiting for snickers to die down after alluding to her divorce settlement, “I knew I wanted to use it for something good.  Something right.  Something that would help with the future of this world.  And as I’ve been reminded so often lately,” her eyes found Drew’s, “‘To whom much is given, much is required.’  I’ve come to truly understand this verse and believe it with all my heart.  I had much given to me, and it was now time to share it with those who had less.

“Renaissance.  A revival, a rebirth, a renewal of life.  I was going through one myself, and it made me think of all those who deserved to have one as well.  The girls in this community deserve to have a renewal.  They deserve to have opportunity.  But in society, opportunity comes at a cost.  A cost to our bank accounts, for sure.  But also a cost to our time as we volunteer.  A cost to our hearts as we step out of our comfort zones and offer love.  A cost to our minds, as we think and strategize on how to make this world a better place.

“But I say we’re up for the challenge.  You’ve been invited tonight, because I
know
you’re all up for the challenge.  Because ‘to whom much is given, much is required.’  We’ve all been given so much, some from our families, some from circumstances beyond our control, some from government programs and opportunities to help get us to where we are today.  But whatever we’ve been given, it’s so much more than these girls have ever had.  So, I encourage you to think about how you can give.  How can you give so we can make this world a better place for our kids?

“The auction is about to begin.  Tabitha Lowe, an incredible friend to so many of us, has given one of her paintings to raise money for this foundation.  She gave of her talent so that we could raise a treasure for these girls.  Every cent of the donations you give will go towards these girls through the running of this day to day operation.  So give generously.  Give joyously.  And above all, give knowing that no matter how big the cost may be to
you
, it won’t even come close to how big the benefit will be to these little girls.  What you give will only make better the lives in this community and those whom they touch.  Thank you.”

Cheers and applause were deafening as Tiffany stepped out of the limelight and walked off to the side where Drew, her friends, and her parents all stood.  She saw her mom begin to walk toward her, but her father placed his hand on her shoulder to stop her.  Tiffany met his shining eyes and knew what he was doing.  Drew walked toward her as well, and her dad was showing her that they were letting her go again, but this time to someone they already trusted.

Drew pulled her into his arms, just as she heard the auctioneer calling people over to the painting.  She looked up into Drew’s eyes and a frown was creasing his forehead.

“You look like you have something on your mind,” she whispered.

Lowering his voice, with his eyes on her mouth, he murmured, “You’re incredible.  And I’m just thinking about tonight.”

They’d had yet to debrief their declarations from outside.

“You don’t look very happy,” she smirked.

“Impatient,” was all he said.  “I’m thinking about that conversation we’re going to have, and what I desperately want to do to you when we’re finally alone.”  He waited a beat, his eyes meeting hers briefly with a warm, sexy look.  “But until then, enjoy this moment.  You deserve it.  People are waiting for you, baby.” 

He released her, just as she was engulfed by guests around her.  Her parents, her brother, her friends, the guests.  It went on for another twenty minutes until she finally saw Emily.

While hugging each other, Emily whispered in her ear, “It’s done.  Sent it to his lawyer before the speech.”

“Wow, you’re fast, Em.”

“It was easy.  All I had to say was ‘your ass of a client just publicly agreed to give
Renaissance Girls
a million dollars over the next five years.’  I’m glad you remembered the attorney’s name.”

“How could I forget it?  The man wasn’t too happy with me when I milked his client out of the
first
million.  Oh, to be a fly on the wall in that meeting,” Tiffany chuckled.

“What a night it’s been, huh?”

Tiffany nodded.  She looked over to see Drew in the auction area.  “I told him,” she said with a smile.

“What?  You
told
him?  Told him what?  You mean like
the
‘what’?  When?” Emily threw questions at her.

“After Richard’s little fall from grace outside.  It seemed the appropriate time.”

Emily guffawed.

“We haven’t talked about it yet.  But tonight, we will.”

“Sweetheart, I hope you don’t like that dress.  Because it may be in tatters once he’s done with you.”

Tiffany laughed, a kindling of excitement burning sweetly between her legs.

“Well,” Em said, “it looks like love is in the air tonight.”

“Yeah?  Who else is in love, other than our usual suspects?” Tiffany asked.

“I got a call from Taylor before we came tonight.  You know how she and Mark have been circling each other for a while?”

“Yeah?”

“Looks like they’ve finally stopped circling and moved it to the next level,” Emily said happily about her best friend and her cousin’s relationship.

“Oh, that’s wonderful,” Tiffany clapped her hands.  “I’m so happy for them.”