The moment they crossed the threshold, Preston took Lee Ann into his arms. He caressed her cheek with his fingertips, trailing down the curve of her neck, sending shivers of delight racing through her body.

She sighed with pleasure, and the sweet sound of it deepened Preston’s arousal. Lee Ann wrapped her arms around his neck as the desire to give herself totally to him pounded in her veins.

“Let’s go upstairs,” he breathed in her ear.

“Lead the way,” she whispered seductively.

He kissed her once more, twirling his tongue against hers, before they mounted the stairs together. When they reached the top, he opened his bedroom door and swept her up into his arms. He crossed the room and eased them both down onto the bed.

“I dreamed about this last night,” she said softly.

“Now we can make it real,” he said, before taking her lips with his own in a long, searing kiss.

About the Author

DONNA HILL began writing novels in 1990. Since then, she has had more than forty titles published, including full-length novels and novellas. Two of her novels and one novella were adapted for television. Donna has won numerous awards for her body of work. The editor of five novels, two of which were nominated for awards, she moves easily from romance to erotica, horror, comedy and women’s fiction. Donna was the first recipient of the RT Book Reviews Trailblazer Award and currently teaches writing at the Frederick Douglass Creative Arts Center.

Donna lives in Brooklyn with her family. Visit her website at www.donnahill.com.

Dear Reader,

Welcome to the exciting world of my brand-new family miniseries, the Lawsons of Louisiana. Following the success—thanks to you—of my Pause for Men and The Ladies Cartel miniseries, I began to think about what direction my next work would take. I’d been asked and had thought about doing a family series for a while and finally the opportunity presented itself. The idea of bringing to the page a dynamic, powerful, sexy, politically connected family began to take shape. And what better time than now to showcase the beauty and power of a black political family?

The first character that came to me full-blown was Rafe Lawson. OMG! I had a thing for him before he was even fully formed. Then there are his twin sisters, Dominique and Desiree—identical in looks but as different as apples and oranges. Justin is the youngest, dashing brother who you will see come into his own over the course of the series.

To kick things off is the eldest sister, Lee Ann. When she meets Jr. Senator Preston Graham, there’s no telling what will happen between them, save for a little bit of scandal and a whole lot of passion.

I’m so excited about the Lawsons and I hope you will enjoy each and every one of their stories, beginning with Spend My Life with You.

I’d love to hear from you. Send your thoughts to dhassistant@gmail.com and be sure to tell a friend!

Until next time,

Donna

Other Books by Donna Hill

Kimani Romance

Love Becomes Her

If I Were Your Woman

After Dark

Sex and Lies

Seduction and Lies

Temptation and Lies

Longing and Lies

Private Lessons

Spend My Life with You

Spend My Life with You

DONNA

HILL

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Chapter 1

Lee Ann Lawson leaned toward her dressing table mirror and fastened the diamond studs into her ears, just as the booming voice of her father called out to her from the other side of the Louisiana mansion.

“Coming!” she called back, tightening the belt of her white silk robe around her slim waist and wondering as she padded barefoot along the winding hallway what it was that he couldn’t find. She smiled inwardly and prepared herself to fuss over her daddy for the next few minutes. She was stopped halfway when one of her twin sisters, Dominique, leaped out from her bedroom door, hands planted boldly on her round hips.

“Sis, would you please tell my darling dull twin that this dress does not show too much cleavage!” She flashed a scowling look at her mirror image, who sat demurely on a cushioned foot stool.

Lee Ann looked Dominique up and down. Of the two, Dominique was always the flamboyant one, ready at the drop of a hat to be the center of attention. And her dress definitely did that. Cut in the front to nearly her navel, the sparkling silver floor-length gown barely held her size Cs in place.

“You sure your dolls aren’t going to pop out and introduce themselves at the party?” Lee Ann asked, only half in jest.

Desiree covered her mouth and laughed. “Told you, Dom. And it’s the same thing Mama would have said.”

Dominique pouted. “I have a cover-up.”

“Be sure you have it with you,” she warned. She peeked around Dominique. “You look beautiful, Desi. And you, too, Dom,” she said with a big-sister wink.

“Lee Ann!” Branford bellowed.

The sisters exchanged a knowing look as Lee Ann hurried down the hallway. The voices of her brothers Rafe and Justin floated to her from the main room below. She couldn’t wait to see her handsome brothers all decked out. She tapped on her father’s door.

“Come in.”

She pushed the partially opened door and stepped inside. Even after five years, she still had not adjusted to the reality that every night her father slept alone and that their beloved mother was no longer with them. As the oldest girl, she’d stepped into the role of caregiver for her mother during her mother’s long illness and then the caregiver for her family—her father in particular.

“Hey, Daddy. Sorry, I got waylaid by those girls.” She laughed lightly and crossed the circular room to where her father sat on the edge of the king-size bed struggling with his cuff links. “Here, let me.” Her slender honey-toned fingers moved expertly to insert the onyx cufflinks and fasten them.

“You fix me up just like your mama, God rest her soul,” he murmured and affectionately patted Lee Ann’s hand.

The ache in his voice twisted inside of Lee Ann and settled where it always did—in the center of her heart. She leaned over and kissed her father’s cheek then sat back and adjusted his tie, turning her head right then left as she did.

Her father was one of the most powerful men in the state of Louisiana. Senior Senator Branford Lawson not only carried clout but respect across both sides of the aisle. Some of his closest friends were those who for the average person were only seen on television and in newspapers, but to her they were Aunt Hillary or Uncle Bill. At any given time, the Lawson mansion would become the epicenter for political gatherings. She remembered one day as a young girl waking up and seeing former president Carter sitting in the kitchen sipping coffee with her father.

It had been her mother, Louisa, who’d overseen the Lawson household and clan like the queen of England oversaw her country. She was the consummate Southern hostess, the nurturing but watchful mother and loyal and devoted friend. Lee Ann became the woman she was because of her mother.

Lee Ann pushed back the memories as they threatened to overtake her. With her mother’s passing, Lee Ann stepped into her mother’s role. It was a big responsibility, but she did it with love.

“Perfect,” she announced of her handiwork. “Now stand up and let me take a good look.”

Her father dutifully did as he was asked.

“Looking good, Daddy.”

He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “That’s what all the ladies say,” he teased. Then he looked at her as if seeing her for the first time. He frowned. “Why aren’t you dressed?”

Her right brow elevated. “That’s what I was doing when I was summoned.”

He pretended to miss her point. “Well, don’t stand around,” he said, flinging his hand in her direction to shoo her out. “Get yourself together. You know how I hate being late.”

Lee Ann shook her head and grinned. “Yes, Daddy.” She returned to her room, took her dress from the walk-in cedar closet and was wiggling into it when her brother Rafe came knocking.

“Now look at you,” he hummed in that tone he reserved for when he wanted something.

Rafe leaned against the frame of her door, a glass of bourbon in one hand and his other hand tucked into the pocket of his tuxedo slacks, as smooth and sleek as a panther and just as deadly to the ladies. Raford James Lawson, the eldest of the Lawson clan, was a notorious playboy not only in the United States but abroad as well, although he swore, with a wink and a smile, that those rumors weren’t true. At thirty-six, he was unattached, wealthy, handsome, smart and came from a powerhouse family. He’d been profiled countless times in major magazines as one of the country’s most eligible bachelors, sexiest man and heir apparent to his father’s Senate seat. Rafe would agree to the first two, but the last stood as a bone of contention between father and son. He’d rather spend his days traveling, loving women and playing his sax. Politics weren’t in his blood. But his father wouldn’t hear of it.

Lee Ann pursed her cherry-tinted lips and ran her hazel eyes along the long lines of her big brother. “A little early for bourbon, don’t you think?”

“Never too early for bourbon, cher,” he teased, raising his glass to her in salute before taking a sip.

“At least make yourself useful. Come zip me.” She turned her back to him and waited for his real reason for descending upon her.

“Listen, sis…”

Here it comes, she thought. “Yes, sugah, what is it?” She turned around to face him, looked up into his bottomless black eyes, framed by silky lashes, and knew without question what women saw in her brother. And no matter how much warning they were given they kept coming.

“About tonight…”

“Yes?” She buttoned the top button of his shirt then began fashioning his bow tie.

“I know Daddy wants to show me around like some prized pony and have me glad handing all night, but there’s this new blues club down in the Quarter. If I can get there before midnight, I can get in on the last set.”

His smooth face and midnight eyes literally danced with excitement and matched the almost childlike urgency of his voice.

“Rafe,” she cautioned. “You know how Daddy feels about that.”

“I know, baby sis. That’s why I need your help…to distract him while I get out of there,” he cajoled. He leaned down to her ear. “Please.”

Lee Ann playfully pushed him away. “Don’t start your foolishness with me, Rafe Lawson. I’m not one of your starry-eyed ladies.”

He chuckled. “You wound me, cher.”

She put her hands on her hips and then wagged a warning finger at him. “I’ll do this for you…again. But I’m warning you, Raford. You get yourself in any trouble tonight and you’re on your own. Understood?”

“Yes, ma’am.” He leaned down and put a sloppy wet kiss on her cheek.

“Aggg. You know I hate when you do that! Ruining my makeup. Get on out of here.”

Raford laughed on his way to the door. “Love you, too,” he called out.

Lee Ann shook her head in affectionate amusement, walked over to her dressing table mirror to inspect the damage then touched up her makeup.

“Lee Ann.”

She turned. Her younger brother Justin had his head sticking in her door, the spitting image of their mother with his sandy-brown complexion, tight curly hair and to-die-for dimples. Although he was still growing into his looks, Justin was one handsome young man.

“Daddy said if you aren’t down in two minutes we’re leaving without you. I’m to make sure you get downstairs,” he said with a twinkle in his eyes. They both knew that Branford Lawson was more bark than bite, and the last person he’d get on the wrong side of was Lee Ann.

“Coming. Don’t you look handsome?” She crossed the room and stood in front of him. Lee Ann was the only one who could make Justin blush. He, like his brother, towered over their petite sisters, and Justin, at twenty-three, beat his brother out by an inch of Rafe’s six-foot-three-inch height. By habit, she straightened his tie and smoothed her hands over his broad shoulders. “Let me get my purse and I’m ready.”

The family filed into the waiting limo, and it sped off into the balmy Louisiana night.

By the time they arrived at the estate of Congressman Jeremiah Davis, the reception portion of the evening was getting underway. Waiters glided between the bejeweled guests with platters of mouthwatering appetizers and flutes of champagne. The thousand-dollar-per-plate affair was a fundraising event for the incumbent congressman. And with the downward spiral of the economy on the watch of the Democrats, he needed all the support he could get.

Jeremiah and Branford had been friends since they were in knee-highs and had followed each other throughout their school years, served as each other’s best man at their weddings and were godfathers to their chidren. There was a bond between them that was stronger than most brothers, and the Lawson clan adored their Uncle Jerry.

“It’s about time you all got yourselves here,” Jeremiah said, kissing cheeks and shaking hands.

Jeremiah could only be described as round. Everything about him was round, from the top of his head down to his bowlegs. He often reminded Lee Ann of one of those children’s toys that rocked back and forth and rolled around without ever falling over.

“Hi, Uncle Jerry,” Lee Ann said, becoming enveloped in his hearty embrace. He held her back at arm’s length and looked her over.

“Looking more like your beautiful mama with every passing day,” he said softly.

Lee Ann smiled. What could she say? She’d run out of words from the often heard comment. A part of her felt so complimented to be compared to her mother, then there was another part that felt overwhelmed by the comparison that she felt she could never live up to.

Her sisters and brothers had already dispersed into the crowd. They’d been trained well, since they were old enough to be introduced to the world. They knew how to work a crowd, gain information without giving any, befriend newcomers and leave an indelible impression on everyone that they met. They were the epitome of the political elite family, which was often as much of a burden as it was a badge of honor.

Lee Ann slipped her arm through Jeremiah’s. “And where is Aunt Lynn? I don’t see her.”

“Probably worrying the waiters to death.” He chuckled good-naturedly. “You know your aunt. Walk with me outside. I need some air already.”

Lee Ann laughed lightly, and it stopped as if a cork had slid down her throat. A warm wave fluttered in her stomach as they drew closer to the group assembled near the balcony.

She’d only seen him from a distance in the past, although she’d watched him closely during his run for the junior Senate seat and listened to her father extol his virtues. Although Lee Ann worked closely with her father as his personal consultant, she tended to steer clear of the interactions of the power brokers, rarely visited Washington and worked out of the family home or occasionally at her father’s local office in Baton Rouge.

“Congressman,” one of the ladies announced. All eyes turned in their direction.

Jeremiah let out a hearty laugh. “Now that’s the way I like to make an entrance, introduced by a beautiful woman.” The group dutifully chuckled. He turned to Lee Ann. “I’m sure most of you know Lee Ann Lawson, the real power behind the senator.”

Lee Ann’s face heated. She looked from one to the other. “He gives me too much credit.”

“All deserved, my dear.” He slipped her arm out from his and patted her hand. “Senator Preston Graham, have you met Lee Ann?”

“I’m sure if I did I would have remembered,” he responded, his dark eyes doing a slow stroll across her face. He extended his hand toward her.

Lee Ann stretched out her hand, and he leaned down and kissed the top of it. “My pleasure.” A smile teased the corners of his mouth. “I feel as if I already know you.”

She tilted her head slightly to the side. “Why is that?”

“Your father talks about you all the time.”

Her gaze darted away for an instant. “He does the same about you.”

“Is that right? Hope it’s all good.” Light danced in his eyes.

“Yes, it is. He thinks very highly of you. And congratulations, by the way, on your win.”

“I’m still getting my feet wet. Your father is an excellent mentor.”

“That he is.”

“Can I get you a drink?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

After they both realized that he was still holding her hand, Preston chuckled. “Maybe it’s a sign that we should go out together.”

Lee Ann’s soft laugh brushed against him like a caress. He tucked her hand in the curve of his arm.

“I’m surprised we haven’t officially met before,” Preston said as they crossed the expansive room.

“I try to stay behind the scenes except when my father needs me front and center.” She smiled and tried to keep her feet moving one in front of the other even as the electric energy of Preston Graham bounced off her, short-circuiting her brain.

“You do a very good job of it, considering that you are his political adviser of sorts. At least that’s my understanding.”

“I do oversee his activities, but it’s more like a personal assistant,” she said.

They reached the bar. “What will you have?”

“A white wine spritzer.”

He gave the order to the bartender and ordered a bourbon for himself.

“My brother’s favorite drink,” she commented as they were served.

“A man after my own heart,” he joked. “And apparently the ladies, as well,” he added with a lift of his chin in the direction of her brother.

Rafe was in a close conversation across the room with a stunning woman who Lee Ann hadn’t recalled seeing before.

She shook her head in amusement. “Rafe does keep busy.”

“And what about you? When you’re not personally assisting your father, what do you do?”

She was thoughtful for a moment. “Running the house and keeping an eye on my sisters and brothers is pretty much a full-time job.”

“It doesn’t sound as if you allow time for yourself.” He stared into her eyes over the rim of his tumbler.

Her heart fluttered. “I find ways to enjoy myself,” she said in her defense.

Preston studied her for a moment and decided to let the topic go. “What’s it like growing up with a father like Branford?”

They walked together to an available table and sat down.

Lee Ann’s smile was wistful. “Where can I begin?” She gazed around the room. “My life has been pretty much like this for as long as I can remember,” she said with a sweep of her hand. “Politics and parties and entertaining and being in the spotlight has been a way of life.”

He heard something in her voice, a note of hesitancy, regret. He couldn’t be sure.

“I would think it was pretty exciting.” He sipped his drink and watched the muted light play across her finely etched features.

Her warm hazel eyes flickered across his face. “I suppose it would be looking in from the outside. But to us, all of the people who everyone else reads about were like family.” She drew in a breath, reached for her glass and realized that her hand was shaking. She concentrated on bringing the glass to her lips without spilling her drink. “What about you?” she asked, steering the conversation away from herself, a topic that she didn’t relish discussing.

Preston set his glass down, tilted his head slightly to the side, his full lips pressed lightly together and puckered out. “Well, I’m a product of a single teenage mom. Public schooling. My mama worked two jobs that added up to one most of my life.” His dark eyes drifted away from Lee Ann. “She would tell me every day that she expected me to make something of myself. She wasn’t working so I could grow up to be a nobody.” The corner of his mouth jerked as the images of those days of “have not” flashed through his head. “As soon as I was old enough, I got a part-time job after school, packing groceries, delivering whatever needed to be delivered, flipping burgers, waiting tables. You name it, I did it at one point or the other.”

“It must have been hard.”

He looked directly at her. “I suppose to someone looking in from the outside,” he said, playing with her statement to him. “But like you, it was the only life I knew. Sometimes I would see the other kids in their new sneakers or tooling around town in their daddy’s car, walking into fancy houses.” His face and voice took on a hard edge like a tide that suddenly rushed to shore pulling the sand out from under your feet—unexpected and scary. “I knew there was more out there than what was in front of me, and I had to find a way to get it. My life and my mama’s struggling made me what I am. Determined and focused to get what I wanted. And I did, but I’m not finished yet.”

Lee Ann held her breath anticipating what she wasn’t sure. And then he smiled and the tide slowly receded, and she was standing on solid ground again.

“Don’t mind me, I can get a little caught up in my own rhetoric sometimes,” he said, catching the look of apprehension in her eyes. “Come dance with me.” He stood and extended his hand, once again the dashing, gallant gentleman.

Lee Ann placed her hand in his, and he helped her to her feet. They moved onto the dance floor, and then she was in his embrace. And he was all around her, his arms, the lines of his body, his scent. Her head barely reached his shoulders, so she found herself resting it against his broad chest as they moved in harmony, swaying easy to the music of the band, and she had the oddest sensation that she had done this all before, with this man. It was all so familiar and right. But of course that couldn’t be true. She’d never met him before.

Preston didn’t want to give in to the urgent need to pull her closer, to feel her fully against him. The sensation of her being so close and still so far was messing with his head. The fresh scent of her hair, the barely there fragrance that she wore combined with the heat of her body had him coiled tight as a rattlesnake. He had to concentrate on the music, the aroma of food, the smatterings of conversation that floated around him to keep his mind off what she was doing to his body. In as much as he wanted her closer, there would be no doubt about her effect on him if he did. She’d be sure to think that he was some randy fool who couldn’t control his urges. He was almost thankful when the music ended. He needed some air and some space.

He released his hold around her waist and stepped back. She tilted her head up to look at him; the dewy softness of her lips, the light dancing in her eyes and the tiny pulse beating in her throat had him wanting to forget what was proper and simply take her mouth and sample it until they couldn’t take it anymore.

“Thank you for the dance,” he managed to say, his voice thick and jagged. “I’m going to go mingle a little.”

“Oh…of course.” She put on a practiced smile and wondered what she’d done wrong.

He took her elbow and walked her back to the table. “Thanks again for the dance and the conversation.”

She offered a tight smile while she watched him walk away, and for reasons that she couldn’t explain she felt like bursting into tears.

“Hey, baby doll, come on and dance with your big brother.” Rafe curved his arm around her waist before turning her petite body into his.

His arms were strong, familiar and secure, and for a few minutes she could forget how small and insignificant she felt, which of course was ridiculous. It was just a conversation, a drink and a dance. No big deal.

“You’re stiff as a board.” He peered down at her. “What’s wrong? Did he say something out of the way to you?”

She heard the sudden rise in his tone. The smooth easy cadence was gone. Lee Ann dared to look up at his piercing dark eyes.

“Don’t be silly,” she soothed. “I’m fine, and no, he didn’t say anything out of hand.”

Rafe took a hard look over his shoulder, seeking out the young senator as if seeing him would somehow validate what his sister said. He turned back to Lee Ann. “You sure, because I have no problem sharing a few words with him man-to-man.”

Lee Ann gently pressed her hands against Rafe’s hard chest. “I can take care of myself. Thank you very much,” she added with a slight smile.

He leaned down and kissed her forehead then skillfully moved with her around the floor. “All you have to do is say the word,” he said, his protective instincts kicking into high gear. He’d always been that way with his sisters, since they were all little. He took great pride in being the big brother, and yes, it was true that he loved women but none more than his sisters and of course his mother. Lee Ann was the one most like their mother, and he was sure that was one of the reasons they were so close, as children and as adults. “I’ll hang around if you need me to,” he said.

“No, please. I know your lips are itching to play, so whenever you’re ready just go on. It’ll be fine. I’ll tell Daddy something or nothing.” She grinned at him.

The dance came to an end, and they walked across the grand ballroom out to the balcony. The air was still heavy and filled with the scent of a hot spring night. Beyond the cove of streets, the lights of the city peeped in and out, and the soft sound of the Mississippi rolled gently in the distance.

For a fleeting moment, caught in the beauty of the evening, Lee Ann wished that she was peering out into the night, whispering soft words and sharing light laughter with her own someone special.

“Looks like everyone who’s anyone is here tonight,” Rafe commented, taking a brief look over his shoulder into the main room.

“Well, you know Uncle Jerry never does anything halfway.” She continued to stare out into the night.

Briefly Rafe put his hand around her shoulder, and she tilted her head to rest it against him. “Can I get you a drink, a plate of food?”

“Another spritzer would be nice, thanks.”

“Be right back.”

She inhaled deeply and reentered the ballroom, watched the milieu move around her and felt so apart from the activities. It was so unlike her she thought, not to be like a butterfly flitting from one guest to the next, enjoining and cajoling as if she was the hostess. Smiling, as was her habit as she passed familiar faces, she found herself back on the balcony, sure that her brother would instinctively find her.

She leaned against the balustrade with her back to the Mississippi, and her stomach quivered when she saw Preston heading with purpose in her direction. She tried to glance away, ignore his approach, but it was too late.

He walked right up to her, cutting off everything and everyone around them. He took up her vision.

“I’m usually much more the Southern gentleman than I was earlier,” he said. Thick lashes lowered over his dark eyes for an instant then settled on his face. A half-shy smile tickled the corners of his rich mouth. “I… You rattled me, Ms. Lawson,” he said. The soft twangy cadence of his voice was both charming and unnerving.

Lee Ann tilted her head slightly to the right, for the first time since they met having a sense of standing on firm ground without her legs wobbling beneath her. She smiled and, always the tactful lady being Louisa Lawson’s daughter, said, “Senator Graham, I have no idea what you mean.”

The imaginary rift they’d created was crossed with their relieved laughter.

Chapter 2

“Where’s that brother of yours?” Branford asked as the family headed out to the waiting limo.

The siblings shared a look behind their father’s expansive back.

“If you think I don’t know that he snuck out of here to go into N’awlins to play that damned sax of his at some juke joint, think again.”

“Don’t think they call them juke joints anymore, Daddy,” Dominique said. Mischief sparkled in her eyes and tickled the corner of her mouth.

The quartet stifled their giggles. Dominique was notorious for intentionally pushing their father’s buttons. He threw her a thunderous look over his shoulder, and she looked back at him in wide-eyed innocence. Branford simply shook his head and muttered to himself about “damned children.”

***

They all tumbled into the limo still sailing on the high of the evening, still amazed that no matter how many of “these things” they attended they always had a good time. Dominique, Desiree and Justin were totally immersed in conversation. Lee Ann, who was seated near the window, took the opportunity to steal a few moments for herself, retreating to that space in her mind and spirit where she was carefree, devoid of responsibility and worry about anyone other than herself. She rested her chin on her palm and glanced out at the rolling panorama that sped in front of her: the stately homes that once served as plantations, the lush greenery, manicured lawns and the distant sound of ships sailing along the river to parts unknown to her—adventures maybe.

She drew in a long breath of calm, and the subtle scent of Preston wafted beneath her nostrils, triggering a surge of sensory delights. The feel of the pressure of his hand on her waist, the beat of his heart when he held her close against him while they danced, the way his voice vibrated through her when he leaned down to whisper something outrageous about one of the guests. For her, the evening had turned from ordinary to something special.

She wanted to see him again, she realized as the evening progressed then began to draw to a close—away from work and politics and parties. And it was as though he mimicked her thoughts, and he said the very words that were playing in her head. Still, as much as she’d wanted him to ask, had almost willed it, his asking surprised her. At first she thought he was asking just to be nice, to make up for that awkward beat that had happened between them earlier in the evening or like most eligible men in Louisiana who wanted to get close to her father through her.

“Before you start thinking anything beyond what I asked you, I want us to be clear about one thing.”

Her brow arched in question.

“I’m my own man. Everything I have I worked for, I earned. So don’t you think for a hot Louisiana minute that my wanting to see you is because of your family name and your daddy.” He grinned. “I have both. That no good SOB who fathered me is out there somewhere,” he added.

Lee Ann tossed her head back and laughed from the bottom of her feet. Her delighted expression stirred Preston in a way that he couldn’t put into words, and all he needed was for her to say yes, give him something to look forward to, and she did.

“You’re mighty quiet over there, sis,” Justin said, drawing her back from her momentary retreat. “Everything okay?”

Lee Ann patted his arm. “I’m fine. Just a little more tired than I thought.”

Desiree yawned. “Me, too. I can’t wait to lay my head down.”

“I could go for a few more hours,” Dominique said. “Wish I would have snuck out with Rafe. Bet he’s having a ball.”

Lee Ann chuckled to herself and heard her father’s snort of disapproval even as he pretended to be sleeping. This was her family, she thought with loving amusement.

***

Preston was thankful that the reception the prior evening was on a Friday night and not one of the typical midweek galas that zapped you for the rest of the week. He never did understand why so many fundraisers and political dinners were invariably on Tuesday. He laughed to himself as he continued on his early morning jog. Jogging was the one thing he tried to do on a daily basis no matter what his life was like the night before.

Running through his neighborhood, around the park and along the familiar pathways always invigorated him, cleared his head and stimulated his blood. Whenever he had a complicated issue to tackle with his constituents or had to break down the complexities of a bill that he needed to vote on, running always helped. When he was a kid and he saw the often defeated look on his mother’s face, he ran to keep from crying and to run from the world that had him grow up without a father to help his mother. Or like now, when he ran because his sudden and all-encompassing reaction to Lee Ann Lawson had dominated his thoughts from the moment he’d met her.

He turned the bend and jogged in place on the corner while a lone car crossed in front of him before he sprinted across the intersection toward the park.

Mist was still on the leaves, and the earth was moist beneath his feet. The sun turned the horizon a brilliant orange as it rose above it all.

There were less than a handful of joggers in the park, some of the regulars who seemed to have the same pull to this moment of the morning as he did. He adjusted the earbuds of his iPod in his ears and started around the track, lifting his chin in acknowledgment to those he met along the way.

He wondered what Lee Ann did to unwind. He wondered what her first thought would be this morning when she awoke. He wondered if she thought something special had happened between them or if it was simply wishful thinking on his part and if she was as eager to see him later that afternoon as he was to see her.

They’d agreed to meet at Treme, a new bistro that had recently opened in downtown Baton Rouge. The service was said to be excellent and the food even better. He ran a little faster as if mentally pushing the day forward.

Back home he showered and changed into his college T-shirt from Loyola University and his favorite pair of khaki shorts that were frayed around the waist and hem from so many years of washing.

While he sipped his coffee and read the paper, he kept getting distracted by thoughts of Lee Ann. More than once he thought of calling her, just to say good morning. But it was barely 7:00 a.m. By ten o’clock, however, he couldn’t wait any longer and pressed in her numbers on his cell phone.

Lee Ann was in her home office, reviewing and revising her father’s calendar and planning his itinerary for the upcoming week. At sixty, Branford Lawson was still incredibly busy between his enormous responsibilities as senior senator and his social obligations. She tried to maintain an even balance for him and still factor in some time for family and relaxation.

But today she found it impossible to concentrate on a task that she could do with her eyes closed. That was the problem; every time she blinked she saw Preston, as she had throughout the night. And when her eyes opened with the sun, the images that had slept with her were so potent that she was stunned to realize that he was not there with her.

She reached for the phone on the desk, thinking of calling him but decided that was much too forward. What would he think? And at the same time that doubt entered the equation, her cell phone rang on the other side of the desk. She lifted it, and Preston’s name and phone number appeared on the illuminated face. Hot air filled her lungs. She pressed Talk and hoped that she didn’t sound as breathless as she felt.

“Hello…”

“Good morning. I hope this isn’t too early.”

His voice soothed her. She relaxed against the leather of her seat. “Not at all. I’ve been up for hours.”

“Then I rescind my attempt at an unnecessary apology.” Her laughter tinkled in his ears. “So other than dying to see me this afternoon, what are your plans for today?”

“At the moment I was going over my father’s schedule and making a few adjustments here and there. At least it’s only a few more grueling weeks before the Senate breaks for summer recess. But of course you know that already.”

“True. I’m looking forward to it myself.”

“Do you have plans for the break?”

“Hmm, I did, but I may change my mind about a few things. Let’s talk about it over lunch.”

“Sure.”

“Well, I’ll let you get back to work, and I’ll find something to keep myself busy until I see you.”

It wasn’t so much what he said but the intonation of how he said it, with a stomach-fluttering sincerity that left her momentarily without words.

“One o’clock,” she said.

“On the dot. See you later.”

She disconnected the call but could still feel the pull of Preston’s voice and couldn’t wait to see him.

“Hey, Lee,” Dominique said, tapping on her sister’s bedroom door.

Lee Ann stepped out of her walk-in closet, holding up two of her favorite summer dresses. “Hi. Whatsup?” Her gaze and concentration drifted back and forth between peach and Mediterranean blue.

Dominique came in and plopped down on the end of Lee Ann’s queen-size bed. “I was wondering if you could loan me a few bucks.”

Lee Ann lowered the dresses and focused on her sister. “A few? How many is a few, and what for this time?”

“You don’t have to say it like that,” Dominique huffed, feigning offense.

Lee Ann crossed the room, undecided about her dresses and what to do about her sister. This was the third time in a month. “How much, Dom?”

“Five hundred.”

Lee Ann’s eyes widened, and her mouth opened then closed. “Dominique, what in the world for? I just gave you three less than a week ago.”

Dominique sprang into an upright position on the bed and put on her saddest, most earnest expression. “I know this sounds bad, but I maxed out my credit card and you know how hard I’m trying to keep a good credit rating so that I can get my own place without having to depend on you and Daddy.”

Lee Ann cut a look at her sister’s sorry attempt to win her over and rolled her eyes. She tossed the dresses onto the bed and stood over Dominique with her hands planted on her waist. “Listen, this cannot go on. It can’t. You have a job, a hefty spending allowance and you still can’t manage your money. You can’t spend every dime you get on the latest fashions, girlfriend getaways and who knows what else!”

Dominique folded her arms beneath her full breasts, pushing them higher into view over her low cut, body hugging T-shirt. “That’s so unfair. You know my job at the nonprofit barely covers my hair appointments.”

“What you do is what’s more important,” Lee Ann chided. “Young, single, poor mothers come to you for help, and when they do that’s worth much more than a paycheck.”

“I know that. I do love my work, but personal satisfaction doesn’t pay bills.”

“Then don’t accumulate them. Live within your means.”

Dominique stood as if catapulted off the bed. They were at eye level. “Live within my means! We’re rich for heaven’s sake.”

Dominique looked so astounded and bereft that Lee Ann seemed not to understand that fact, that Lee Ann did all but burst out laughing. Instead, she turned away to keep the laughter out of her eyes.

“I’ll loan you three,” she conceded. “You’ll have to figure out how to get the rest. Go bug Rafe.”

“Ooh, thank you, thank you,” she said, wrapping her arms around her sister and kissing her on the cheek.

“I’ll deposit the money into your account when I go out later.”

It was then that Dominique noticed her sister was getting ready to go somewhere. She lifted one dress from the bed and then the other. “Where are you off to?”

“Out.”

“Out where? With who? Anyone I know?”

“Out for brunch if you must know,” she said, spinning out of her sister’s web of questions.

Dominique eyed her with suspicion. “Why are you being so evasive? Why can’t you just tell me where you’re going? Suppose something happens to one of us or you. No one will know where you are. And don’t you watch The First 48?” she added dramatically. “The first 48 hours are always crucial in an investigation.”

Lee Ann held up her hand to stop the onslaught of Dominique. “All right, all right. I give up. But…don’t read anything into it,” she warned. “I’m having brunch with Senator Graham.”

Dominique frowned for a moment, and then her eyes popped with excitement. “The gorgeous new Senator Graham, Daddy’s protégé?”

“Yes.”

“Well I’ll be. Still waters. It’s about damned time you went out on a date.”

“It’s not a date.”

“Of course it is.” She rocked her head from side to side. “You aren’t planning to spend the entire time talking business and politics as usual, are you?”

“I don’t know what we’ll talk about.”

“Then it’s a date!” she said triumphantly. “And since that’s the case, you are not wearing the blue one. Peach is soft and feminine and brings out the color of your eyes.” She held up the peach spaghetti strap dress that smoothed along the curves of Lee Ann’s petite frame and stopped just above her knees.

“You think so?”

“I know so.” She held the dress up in front of her. “And I have the perfect accessories.” She shoved the dress at her sister and darted out of the room.

Moments later, she returned with Desiree in tow.

“You’re going on a date with Preston Graham?” Desiree said as if he were a rock star. “That is so awesome. He’s yummy. I didn’t know you knew him like that.”

“I don’t,” Lee Ann said. “It’s just lunch.”

“It’s a date,” Dominique said. “Don’t listen to her.”

For the next hour, her twin sisters fussed over her as if she was getting ready for her senior prom. By the time she was ready to leave, she was exhausted from their chatter and advice. You’d think she’d never been out with a man before in her life. She knew how to handle herself. After all, she was the oldest sister—although Dominique had all three women beaten in the men department.

The afternoon was hot and muggy. The umbrella of trees only gave the illusion of cool. She was thankful for her short hairdo that held up against the onslaught of Louisiana weather. She turned on the air conditioner full blast in her gunmetal-gray, two-seater Mercedes-Benz convertible. The color was custom-mixed for her, and it drove like a cloud. It was a gift to herself on her thirtieth birthday, three years earlier. She checked her GPS built into the dash and made the right turn then navigated her way along the narrow streets. She spotted Treme up ahead and drove into the parking lot behind the restaurant.

Nerves overtook her, racing her heart and making her legs feel weak as she drew closer to the entrance. She pulled in a long breath of calm, tugged the door open and stepped into the cool dimness.

“Good afternoon,” the hostess greeted. “A table for one or are you meeting someone?”

“I am meeting someone, actually,” she said, peering into the restaurant space and the tables dotted with afternoon diners. “I’m a bit early. I can wait at the bar.”

“If you leave the name of your party, I can direct them to you when they arrive.”

“Graham is his last name.”

The hostess jotted it down. “I’ll let him know as soon as he gets here.”

“Thank you.” She walked over to the bar and slid onto the stool.

“What can I get for you?” the female bartender asked.

“White wine spritzer,” came the deep voice from behind her left shoulder.

Lee Ann slowly turned on the stool and looked up into his smiling face. Her heart banged in her chest, momentarily stunting her breath.

“Sorry to keep you waiting.” He leaned down and placed a featherlight kiss on her cheek.

“Not at all. I just sat down.”

“Next time we’ll arrive together.”

Next time, she thought. A happy bubble tumbled in her stomach.

“You want to sit here with your drink, or should we get a table now?”

“Let’s get settled.”

The bartender returned with the drink.

“Thanks. You can add this to our tab,” Preston said, taking the drink and helping Lee Ann to her feet. “I got a table by the window just in case we get tired of talking to and looking at each other. We can then pretend to watch street traffic.”

Lee Ann laughed, feeling the knots of anxiousness begin to loosen. “Very funny. But definitely an idea worth having.”

“Although I can’t imagine not wanting to look at and talk to you,” he said. His voice drifted to her over her shoulder, the heat of his words warming her cheek and fanning out to her limbs. She glanced behind her for an instant to measure the sincerity of his voice with his eyes, but he was looking ahead and not at her.

Preston guided her to their table, and several heads turned in their direction as they crossed the restaurant, his face recognizable from the local papers and the news. He offered a casual nod but didn’t stop. Lee Ann was thankful for that. She wanted this first time to be for them and not turn into a circus.

They came to their table, and Preston pulled out Lee Ann’s chair for her then sat down. Once they were settled, he asked, “So…how have you been since the last time I saw you?”

Lee Ann chuckled. “I’ve been just fine, and you?”

“You have a great laugh, you know. Rich and honest.”

She lowered her gaze for an instant. “Thank you.”

Preston reached for his glass of water and took a slow sip, staring at her from above the rim, amazed with the way the golden flecks in her eyes picked up the daylight from outside—something he hadn’t noticed last night—and the way the pulse in her throat beat and how her skin looked like honey, perfect and sweet to the taste.

“Is something wrong?” she asked breaking his trance.

He blinked and gave a slight shake of his head. “No, I’m sorry. I guess I was staring.”

Lee Ann shifted in her seat.

He put down his glass and released a tight breath then leaned forward. His voice was low when he spoke. “Listen, I’m going to be honest because I like to be clear and up-front right from the beginning.”

She nodded and waited for the shoe to fall.

“I rarely date. I don’t have time. Because of my choice of careers, it’s hard to have a lot of downtime or privacy. And coming from the family that you do, I’m sure you can understand that.” He paused, started to speak then stopped and started again. “What I’m trying to say is I don’t know what’s going on in my head, and I know we’ve only met and you don’t know any more about me than a stranger on the street. But I want to get to know you—Lee Ann the woman, not Branford Lawson’s daughter. And I want you to get to know me, Preston Graham—the guy with student loans, dishes in the sink and a Lab retriever named Rocky.”

The tension that she felt burst into effervescent bubbles of laughter. “So, besides dirty dishes, student loans and a dog named Rocky, what else do I need to know about you?”

The afternoon went by much too fast, but over a light lunch of grilled chicken salad, several glasses of wine and raspberry sorbet for dessert, they talked and laughed and talked. Lee Ann discovered that they were both avid joggers. Preston was delighted to learn that Lee Ann was captain of her debate team in college and had also majored in political science. He was devoted to his mother, she to her father. His favorite book was James Baldwin’s Another Country; hers was Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. They both loved New Orleans jazz and boasted about their collections. They were angered, appalled and frightened by the devastation along the Gulf Coast resulting from the catastrophic BP oil spill and the still unresolved devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina.

Preston took his last satisfying spoonful of sorbet. He glanced around Treme’s and noticed that the clientele had changed several times since their arrival, and early dinner patrons were starting to drift in.

“I’m thinking they’re going to actually ask us to leave if we don’t do it on our own,” Preston quipped.

Lee Ann ducked her head and took a cursory glance around, catching the eye of their empathetic waitress. “I think you’re right.”

He signaled for the waitress, who brought the bill. Preston paid the tab and ushered Lee Ann out into the sweltering early evening. It was almost after four.

“I didn’t know it could take that long to eat a salad,” Lee Ann joked. She slipped on her wide, dark sunglasses.

“Neither did I, but I enjoyed it.”

She glanced at him as they walked to the parking lot. “So did I.”

“Where are you parked?”

She pointed to her beloved car.

His brows rose in appreciation. “Very nice,” he said, drawing out the two words.

“What about you?”

“The blue one over there,” he said with a lift of his chin.

Lee Ann turned her gaze in that direction. “Oh, you mean the Jaguar over there,” she said tongue in cheek.

Preston grinned.

“We’ll have to swap rides one day. I’ve always wanted to get behind the wheel of a Jaguar.”

“Anytime you’re ready.” He walked her to her car and waited while she opened the door.

She turned to him, and her heart did that thing again in her chest. “Thank you for a wonderful afternoon. Really.”

“I’m glad you said yes. And if you’re not busy tonight, I hope you’ll say yes to doing something fun. There’s a concert in the park. It starts at seven. Then the after-dark movie. It’s always pretty good, something old and in black-and-white.”

She blinked away her surprise. “Tonight? I… Yes, I’d like that.”

“I’ll pick you up at six-thirty. Will that give you enough time?”

“Sure, if I leave right this second.”

They both laughed.

“I’ll see you soon.”

Lee Ann got in her car. Preston closed her door and waved before walking off to his. She sang off-key all the way home.

Chapter 3

Lee Ann darted into the house. She’d lost a lot of time getting back. There were some street closures from a protest rally by local merchants who’d lost their businesses as a result of the oil spill. Thousands of business owners were still waiting for checks, and now not only were their livelihoods at risk but their entire way of life and living, as well. It was an issue that plagued the people of the Gulf and across the United States. Her father was on the Gulf Coast Restoration Committee, so she kept abreast of the facts and fallacies of what was really going on.

She had one foot on the stairs when her father stepped out of his study on the ground floor.

“There you are.”

Lee Ann stopped short, her hand on the oak banister. “Hi.”

“I wanted to go over a few things with you about this schedule.” He read the pages in front of him from above his half-framed glasses. “We need to make some adjustments.”

“Um, can it wait until morning?”

He pulled his glasses off and peered at his daughter. “Morning? You know I leave to go to Washington in the morning.”

Briefly she shut her eyes then turned and walked toward her father. “Right. I wasn’t thinking. Let me take a look.”

“That’s not like you,” Branford said. “You generally don’t miss things like that.”

“I guess I wasn’t thinking. I was in a little bit of a hurry this morning.”

She walked into her father’s study with him close on her heels. She turned on the computer and loaded the calendar information. Within moments, she located his itinerary for the upcoming month.

“Where did you want to make the adjustments, Daddy?”

He stood over her shoulder and pointed to the different dates on the calendar. “Next week Wednesday needs to change. And I can’t have that meeting with the assembly tomorrow because I won’t be here. I’m going to need you to make some phone calls and extend my apologies.”

Lee Ann typed as her father talked, while thinking about her date with Preston. She could almost hear the clock ticking and her time to get ready running out. She made all the changes that her father requested, saved the file and then turned to him. “Anything else?” she asked.

“Well, you’re mighty testy this evening. Something wrong?”

Lee Ann moved back from the desk and stood. She turned to her father and pushed a smile across her mouth. “No, nothing’s wrong. Everything is fine. Why would you think that?”

“You seem a little jumpy. Like you don’t have your mind on what you’re doing.”

“Well, I do have plans for the evening. And I’m running a little behind schedule.”

Branford raised a questioning brow. “Plans? I don’t recall you mentioning that you have plans for the evening.”

“It just came up today.” She began to walk toward the door and wondered why she didn’t just tell her father that she was going out with Preston. She knew why. She didn’t want her father’s scrutiny, his acceptance or rejection—at least not tonight. She wanted to get through tonight.

“You’re going to walk out and not say where you’re going? “ The idea was totally inconceivable to him.

Lee Ann turned back toward her father, suddenly feeling like a little girl instead of a 33-year-old woman. “I’m going out, Daddy. To a concert in the park.”

For a moment, Branford looked as if he could not process the information. It was almost comical if it wasn’t a testament to the kind of life her father perceived that she lived.

“I’ve really got to get ready.” She hurried across the foyer and darted up the stairs to her room. Once she reached the bedroom, she went into her private bath and turned on the water full blast. While she stood under the pulsing water she went through a mental inventory of the things hanging in the closet wondering what would be appropriate to wear to a night in the park with a handsome young senator.

Wrapped in a towel, she paced in front of her walk-in closet looking for the perfect outfit. So much of her wardrobe was either formal or business attire, with a few casual outfits that she hadn’t worn in much too long and her two favorite dresses—one of which he’d already seen her in and the other her sisters said did nothing for her. As she stood there, she was hit with the telling revelation that she had no date clothes—not even for a park date. Preston would be there in a half hour, and she was stuck in her closet with nothing to wear. This would never happen to Dominique. Dominique!

Lee Ann tugged the towel from around her body and put on her robe before dashing down the hallway to her sister’s bedroom. She knocked. No answer.

“Looking for Dom?”

Lee Ann turned. Justin was coming up the stairs.

“She’s out back.”

“Thanks, sweetie.” She breezed by him on the staircase and ran out to the garden behind the house.

Dominique was stretched out on a lounge chair with her iPod earbuds plugged in. Her eyes were closed, and she was rocking her foot to the rhythm playing in her head.

Lee Ann tapped her on the shoulder. Dominique lowered her sunglasses and looked up. She pulled the earbuds out. “Whatsup?” She looked her sister up and down.

“I really need your help. Like right now.”

Dominique’s thinly arched brows rose in surprise. She swiveled to an upright position. “You need my help?”

“Yes,” she said through her teeth. She grabbed Dominique’s hand and tugged her off the veranda and upstairs. “Come on. He’ll be here any minute.”

“Who?”

“Preston,” Lee Ann tossed over her shoulder.

Dominique beamed. “Well, all righty then. That’s what I’m talking about. How can I help?”

“I need something to wear.” They reached the landing, and Lee Ann led the way to Dominique’s room.

“Well, you’ve come to the right place.”

They entered Dominique’s dressing room, which could have been an easy substitute for the main floor of a high-end boutique. Lee Ann knew that Dominique had a passion for clothes—expensive clothes and shoes and bags—but she had no idea to what extent her passion had grown. Her mouth dropped open as she followed Dominique along the expanse of her closet. It was actually an adjacent room that had been converted to accommodate her wardrobe, which could easily clothe a small neighborhood, Lee Ann thought in awe, and that was with the clothes that still had tags on them. She had to give it to her sister though. Dominique did her fair share of donating. A great percentage of her brand-new clothing went to the nonprofit of which she was the executive director. First Impressions provided clothing and job preparation training for women who had been out of the job market because of prison, homelessness or prior drug problems. That was the other side of her sister that most people didn’t know about.

Dominique spun toward her sister, hands on her hips. “So, what kind of date is it? Is it fabulously chic, stuffy formal, fashionably casual or simply naughty?” she added with a wink.

“We’re going to the concert in the park and then staying for the movie.”

Dominique pursed her lips. “Fashionably casual.” She walked to the far end of the closet. “I’ve been telling you for years that you need to diversify your wardrobe.” She pressed her finger to her lips. “Hmm.” She plucked a pair of salmon-colored cotton slacks that stopped at the midcalf with a cuff. She pulled a variety of multicolored sleeveless tops, some with swooping necklines, V-necks, layered in sheer fabric over something silky. She pulled out accessories—belts, earrings, purses, necklaces—and carried her treasures to the bed. “Any of these tops will do,” she said with authority. “The key, as I’ve always said, is the accessories, the magic ingredient.”

Lee Ann did a quick scan of the tops and plucked one from the group. “This will be fine.” She took the slacks.

Dominique selected silver accessories and a clutch Coach purse in the same color as the slacks and handed her a shrug sweater that picked up the pale green in the top.

“Thanks, sis.” She hurried toward the door, with Dominique on her heels.

“Anytime. If he gets here before you’re ready, I’ll keep him busy.”

Lee Ann glanced back at her sister. Dominique was a man magnet. She drew them to her with little effort on her part beyond simply breathing. She tugged in a breath. “Sure. Thanks.” She hurried off to her room and got dressed.

Her plan was to be ready and waiting for him on the front porch so that they could bypass the family interrogation. She knew her family meant well. They could just be a bit overwhelming to some people, especially when they all converged on you at once.

That wasn’t her biggest issue, she thought, as she checked her lipstick and dropped it into her purse. Her real issue was she was totally out of practice. She hadn’t been on a “date” that wasn’t business related since she and Maxwell Harris broke up. She’d been devastated. He claimed it wasn’t her, that he just needed some space to find himself. He found himself, all right, married to Ashley Montgomery six months later. Lee Ann was humiliated. Max was the first man she loved, right out of college. She thought he was the one. Unfortunately, he didn’t feel the same way.

Right after that, her mother grew ill, and Lee Ann threw herself into taking care of her. It helped them both. Louisa drew a kind of strength from Lee Ann. And Lee Ann was able to pour all of her love and attention into her mother and push aside all thoughts of Maxwell. That was five years ago, and she hadn’t been “involved” with anyone since—a date here and there but nothing serious. Between looking after her father’s affairs and taking care of her family, there wasn’t time. At least that’s what she told herself.

Lee Ann took her house keys and cell phone from the dresser, added them to the contents of her purse and went downstairs just as her brother Rafe was coming through the door with Preston in tow.

“Look who I found lurking out front.” He clapped Preston on the back.

Lee Ann landed on the last step and approached the devastatingly handsome duo. She leaned up and kissed her brother’s cheek. “Hi.” She turned to Preston. “I hope he didn’t say anything out of the way, which he’s prone to do without warning.” She cut Rafe a playful look.

“You wound me, dear sister.” He winked. “I didn’t get the chance to run him through the mill, so where are you two headed?”

“Concert in the park,” Preston offered.

Rafe frowned. He looked from one to the other. “A political concert?”

“No,” Lee Ann said simply. “We should go, Preston. We’ll be late.”

“Right. Good seeing you again, Rafe.”

Rafe murmured something unintelligible just as Branford emerged from his study. “Preston?”

Preston turned. “Hello, Senator Lawson.”

Branford slowly approached, taking in the scene. Lee Ann wanted to disappear.

“Did we have an appointment?” He frowned at Lee Ann, while shaking Preston’s hand.

“No, sir, we didn’t.”

“Then I don’t understand…”

“Preston is here to see me, Daddy, and we’re late.” She turned and walked to the door.

“To see you?” He glared from one to the other. “What in heaven’s name for?”

“We were—”

Lee Ann cut Preston off. “Goodnight, daddy.” She walked to the door and stepped out.

“Good night, everyone,” Preston said, not really sure what scenario was being played out. He closed the door behind them and followed Lee Ann down the steps and to his waiting car. Tonight it was the Lexus SUV.

“I’m really sorry about that,” Lee Ann murmured. Preston opened the car door for her.

“You want to tell me what’s going on? Is there something that I should know?”

“Only that my family is…close for lack of a better word. Too close at times.” She fastened her seat belt.

Preston got in behind the wheel and turned the key in the ignition. “I think it’s nice.”

She glanced at him, and the warm, sincere smile of understanding unraveled the knot that had tightened in her stomach.

He put the car in gear and drove out of the winding driveway. “I get the impression that you’re really important to them—at least from what I’ve seen.”

“Really?”

“Not to mention how highly your father speaks of you as often as he can.” His flashed an amused smile.

“Hmm, I don’t know. I think it’s more of a comfort than anything else.”

“A comfort? Why do you say that?”

She was thoughtful for a moment before she began to speak about those days that were still painful to remember. “When my mother got sick, it seemed natural to me to take care of her, being the oldest daughter.” Her voice drifted as the memories of those difficult days pushed to the forefront. “My father, as strong as he is in front of the country, couldn’t handle the thought of losing his wife. His visits to her sickbed often did them both more damage than good. Telling him he had to be strong for her usually resulted in a firestorm of outrage—how could he be expected to be strong when the most important person in his life was being taken from him? Dom and Desi spent most of their time crying or moaning about how unfair it was. Rafe was like a ghost in those days. He was her favorite. They were so close,” she said softly. “And Justin, to be the youngest, he was a real trooper. I don’t know what I would have done without him.” She sighed. “I guess I took over where my mother left off—taking care of the house, the staff and the family.” She glanced at him. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go on and on.”

“Please.” He stretched his hand across the gears and covered hers. “It’s fine.”

“I made them sound so awful and selfish. They really aren’t.”

Preston chuckled. “You did make the whole crew sound like a bunch of brats,” he teased. “Except for Justin.”

Lee Ann ducked her head for a moment and bit back a grin. “They’re really quite sweet.”

“I’m sure.” He paused a moment before making the turn toward the park entrance. “I, uh, got the impression that they—your father and brother—didn’t know about us and tonight.”

Her face heated. “No, they didn’t.”

He bobbed his head. “Any reason?”

“I’m not really sure what the reason was,” she said a bit more harshly than she’d intended. “I just didn’t tell them.” She tightened her grip around her purse.

Preston’s brow arched for a moment, and he knew to back off. Whatever her reason was, it was her own. But he didn’t have the time or the inclination to tiptoe around anyone. He’d never done it in his life and had no intention of starting now.

He drove the car as far as he could and then found a parking space. “We’ll have to walk from here. It’s not far,” he said. “Right up the ridge and down on the other side.”

Lee Ann nodded. Preston came around and helped her out of the car. Gone was the easy, excited feeling, replaced with the rubber bands of tension that had popped between them during their first meeting at the reception.

Preston took a blanket from the trunk and tucked it under his arm. “This way,” he muttered and jutted his chin. Lee Ann fell in step beside him.

He was annoyed, he realized as they walked in side-by-side silence. Annoyed at the one thing he promised he would not allow himself to be ever again—how someone else’s agenda affected him. But he held his tongue. One night. The last night. Move on.

They reached the top of the ridge, and from that vantage point, the multicolored quilt of the crowd splashed out before them. One of the bands was already on stage and launched into their first number.

Preston instinctively took Lee Ann’s hand as they maneuvered their way across the uneven landscape and around bodies in search of a piece of space, and against his own steely determination, the sensation of her fingers wrapped around his hand seemed to soothe the ache that always resided inside him.

“Looks like a spot over there,” Lee Ann said, in a voice that carried a soft echo of sadness that gave Preston pause.

He gave her hand a little squeeze. Her eyes slid up to his face then pulled away.

“Let’s grab it before someone else does.”

They walked faster and just beat out another couple thanks to Preston’s quick work of staking their claim with the almost theatrical unfurling of the blanket, which reminded Lee Ann of a matador teasing the oncoming bull. She told him as much once they’d sat down.

“A matador?” Preston laughed a deep, tumbling laugh that broke the tenuous band of tension between them. He looked at her soft, smiling face and settled down beside her. “I’ve been called a lot of things, but I think matador is a first. I kind of like it though.”

He grinned, flashing that sexy smile that lit his eyes and stole her breath away.

Preston reached out and tenderly touched the wisps of dark hair that feathered her brow. He moved a bit closer. Lee Ann’s heart began to race.

The crowd burst into thunderous applause as the band finished their number.

Lee Ann blinked as if awakened from a light sleep. Preston gave an imperceptible shake of his head.

“I…uh, didn’t think to bring snacks,” Lee Ann blurted out in that odd moment of awkwardness.

Preston slapped his brow with the heel of his palm. “Oh man, I left them in the car.” He sprang to his feet. “I’ll be right back. Hold my spot,” he added with a wink. He jogged back the way they had come and was soon swallowed by the throng.

Lee Ann sat with her legs tucked beneath her and took a look around, while she ran through her head that push and pull that kept happening between her and Preston. Granted, she was no expert on dating or the prelude to it, but she had good plain sense and always relied on her instincts. But for reasons that she couldn’t put her finger on, Preston, at the slightest instance, would retreat to a space and cut her out, almost in retribution. Maybe it was the bump in the road of getting to know each other. Maybe she was making more out of it than necessary. Maybe it was just her imagination. Whatever it was, she wasn’t sure she knew how to deal with it or if she wanted to.