Marie Harte - Bending the Rules

But a smart man set the stage for seduction. She’d flat out said she didn’t do office relationships or involve herself in office politics, and unfortunately, his tie to the mayor was biting him in the ass. He had a feeling he wouldn’t change her mind with a smile and a wink.

Despite how hot she’d been at the club, he had a feeling she separated that Natalie from the office wunderkind. Going too fast with her would be a mistake. She organized her books by size and color, for God’s sake. He hadn’t seen a piece of dust in her homey little house.

And he knew for a fact her employment came with a mandated decency clause. Visiting Freddy’s club and playing sexual games with Rex wouldn’t do any wonders for her job. Seeing her tonight, in her element, he didn’t think she’d ever do anything to jeopardize her position.

Unless he could seduce her into a yes .

The evening wore on, and they enjoyed a pleasant meal, fine company, and finally some dancing.

He pulled her with him onto the dance floor and held her close, ecstatic to inhale the scent of her, committing it to memory. Oh yeah. He wanted this woman.

“Um, a little room to breathe would be nice,” she murmured against his chest.

“Why? You can share breaths with me.” He looked down, and this close, their lips almost touched.

“Sorry, but that flashlight in your pants is rubbing me the wrong way. Remember, this is work—this isn’t really a date.”

“It’s your fault. If you weren’t so damn sexy, I wouldn’t be so… excited to be with you.” He pulled back a pace and did his best to give his brain a cold shower. The mayor and his wife passed by with a smile. That did the trick.

Nat gave a deep throated chuckle that turned his arousal on once more.

“Cut it out,” he said. “You’ll embarrass me in front of these people.”

“Tell you what, Reginald —”

“Low blow, Nat.”

“—I’ll be nice if you follow through on your end of the bargain.”

“What’s that?”

“Tell me the secrets of the rich and obnoxious.”

He smiled. “My pleasure.”

They whirled around while he spoke about those he knew whom he couldn’t stand. Pretentious assholes who only liked him and his parents because they had money. He figured Nat should be forewarned to be forearmed if she ever had to deal with any of them. He also told her about the standup folks in the city she could probably trust, some of whom had genuinely surprised him.

They danced and spoke for two more songs before the band took a break.

“Wow. I hadn’t realized how late it is.” Nat blinked. “Did they just say they’d be back at midnight?”

Rex shrugged. “I guess.”

“I have to work tomorrow. Time for me to go.”

The Warrens continued to dance, but Brian and Faith had disappeared an hour ago. Probably to go home and fuck like bunnies. With a sigh, he stopped that train of thought right there.

“Rex, honey. Where have you been all night?”

Perfect. He turned to see his mother and father smiling expectantly at both him and Nat. “Hey, Momma. Daddy.”

Next to him, Nat smiled back. “Hello, Mr. and Mrs. Samson. I’m Natalie Wielder. Your son bamboozled me into a date this evening. But despite that, I’m having a good time.”

His father laughed, took Nat’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Enchanted, Ms. Wielder.”

Nat flushed. His freakin’ father had made another conquest. Stupid to feel jealous of the old man.

“Call me Nat,” she said, including his mother in the smile.

“I’m Sue, and this is Harry.” His mother took Nat’s hand in a firm shake. “You look lovely, dear. Rex, handsome as always. Anyway, we just wanted to say hello, not to interrupt.”

“It’s nice to meet you. I have to be going anyway. Work tomorrow.”

“I know that feeling.” His father sighed. “Time we were off as well. Must be nice to set your own hours.” He slapped Rex on the back, then tugged his wife away. “See you tomorrow, boy.”

“See you.” Rex watched them leave, pleased his parents had behaved themselves…for once.

“Nice people.” Nat stared at him, and that hint of snark that turned him on so much returned.

“What’s that look?” he wanted to know. They walked back to their table, collected her wrap and purse, and left the dining hall.

“Momma? Daddy? What a cute little Southern boy you are.” She laughed.

“Hey, don’t knock it. This charming boy still gets the first slice of Momma’s red velvet cake. And the first peaches of the season.”

They walked outside, and he handed the valet his ticket.

“I’m not making fun. Well, I am a bit. But I like your closeness to your parents.” Nat let him tuck her wrap around her tighter when the wind picked up. Not that the weather could get too cool in June, but for once, they had a nice breeze.

“How about your folks?”

“My parents are divorced. Have been since I was a kid. But we all still get along, mostly. I love my family. I think it’s great you obviously love yours.”

He nodded. “Blood’s thicker than water, politics and sweet tea down here.”

She grinned, and it was all he could do not to lean closer and kiss those luscious lips. Instead, he smiled, glanced at the coming car and helped her inside after the valet parked. He slid the kid a few bills, then drove them back to her house.

“I had a nice time, Nat.” He drove slower than he normally would, wanting to stretch out their time together.

“I had fun too. Shocker.”

He liked her attitude. Too much. He’d learned so much about her this evening and had liked all of it. He could fairly call his feelings a crush, edged with huge amounts of animal attraction, and growing toward true affection.

God, he had to have this woman.

They pulled into her driveway, in an older but nicer section of town. “So how about tomorrow night? Got anything planned?” he asked as he cracked open his door. The lights in the car turned on, and she faced him, her eyes a fathomless pool of mystery.

Don’t I sound all schmaltzy thinking poetic-like.

“What’s that smile for?” she asked.

“Smile?”

“Yeah. You look like you want to eat me up.” Even as she said it, she flushed.

“It’s like you want me to say terrible things,” he teased. “I can’t help it. You’re as sweet as sugar. So yeah, sugar , I want to eat you up.”

“And that’s my cue to leave.”

Before she could, he put a hand on her arm. “Wait a minute.” He hurried out of the car and circled to open her door. “After you.” He assisted her out, then walked her to her door.

She paused with her key in the lock. “I had a nice time, Rex.”

“I wish you’d stop acting so surprised by it.”

She laughed. “Sorry. It was fun.”

“So we’ll do this again?”

“Surprisingly, I’d like to. But no. I’m not looking to start a relationship with the mayor’s pal. I don’t mix business and pleasure. Ever. My job is important to me. You can understand that.”

“You know, just because my folks happen to be friendly with Mrs. Jessup, and I was talking to the mayor yesterday, doesn’t mean we’re tight.”

“It doesn’t help.”

Hell. He tried again. “Look, we’re both mature enough adults that we can enjoy each other’s company without being all weird about it. So the idea of a ‘connected’ boyfriend turns you off. How about if I promise not to lure you into my bedroom? Can’t we just hang out as friends?”

She blinked. “Friends? As in talk and spend time together— nonsexual time together?”

“Yeah.” Until I trick you into letting me blow your mind.