Obsession (29 page)

BOOK: Obsession

6.74Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub

ads

Charlie pushed those thoughts aside and turned to face Kendra. His breath caught as he took in the stunning effect of Kendra in full makeup, her hair artfully piled on top of her head, and her saffron-colored gown shimmering in the lamplight. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She smiled fully and took a step inside the room. Casually, she brushed at a speck of lint on his jacket.

As though his parental radar were tuned perfectly, Sterling Blake’s voice boomed through the hall. “Kendra?”

“In here, Daddy.” Kendra called out and turned toward the door.

Sterling looked into the guest room. He gave Charlie a stern look and then spoke to Kendra. “I thought we agreed that you were going to stay out of the guest room while Charlie is here.”

“Yes, Daddy.” Kendra fought back a grin but obediently stepped back out into the hall and pulled Charlie with her. Then she asked her father, “Is it time to go?”

“Yes.” Sterling nodded. “The car is waiting downstairs.”

“We’re ready,” Kendra told him. When Charlie tugged on his jacket again, she ran a hand down the front of his tuxedo. “It looks fine. You can’t even tell it’s there.”

Sterling’s eyes narrowed. “What’s there?”

“My weapon.” Charlie straightened his shoulders, not sure how Sterling would feel about him going to the benefit armed.

“You have your gun with you?”

“Yes, sir. I’m supposed to keep my weapon with me at all times.”

Sterling stared at him for a moment but nodded. Then he looked over at Kendra. “I think I might like this guy after all.”

“I thought you might.” Kendra laughed. “I need to go get my purse. Dad, we’ll meet you outside.”

“Don’t dawdle,” Sterling called out as he headed down the stairs and Kendra started down the hall.

She returned a moment later, purse in hand. When she reached Charlie, she glanced downstairs and then looked up at him with a mischievous smile on her face. “You know, this may be the last time we’re alone for hours and hours.”

“In that case . . .” Charlie’s hand wrapped around her waist and he lowered his lips to hers. That familiar sense of rightness and belonging spread through him, and he could feel his future snap into place.

When they parted, Kendra rubbed her thumb over his lower lip. “Sorry. I got lipstick on you.”

“I gather it isn’t my color.”

“Well, we might not want to leave it there, even if it is.” She wiped the last smudges off and laughed. “What would everyone think?”

Charlie took her hand in his and brought it to his lips in a sweet, old-fashioned gesture. “They won’t think—they’ll
know
that I’m the luckiest man alive.”

About the Author

Originally from Arizona, Traci Hunter Abramson spent much of her childhood exploring the little town of Pinewood. She is a graduate of Brigham Young University and a former employee of the Central Intelligence Agency. Since leaving the CIA, Traci has written multiple novels, including the
Undercurrents
trilogy,
Royal Target,
and the Saint Squad series.

When she’s not writing, Traci enjoys spending time with her husband and their four children. She also enjoys cooking, although she prefers an electric stove to the wood-burning variety.

Other Books by Traci Hunter Abramson

Undercurrents

Ripple Effect

The Deep End

Royal Target

Freefall

Lockdown

Crossfire

Backlash

Smoke Screen

Table of Contents