Page 21 of Hate On

Now, though…well, he was fully aware of the feud, even if he didn’t fullyunderstandit. He was also a lot older than eleven, too.

Furious wouldn’t touch on what his father would feel.

But if he canceled, Julianna would wonder why, especially after he’d gone out of his way to contact her and ask her to attend with him.

Besides…if they didn’t attend together, he wasn’t likely to get one more night with her.

And he very much wanted that one night.

One night probably wasn’t even enough, but it was likely all he’d ever get, so he’d make the most of it.

8

Julianna

Most men lookedgood in a tuxedo.

But then there was Roman.

He didn’t just lookgood.

He looked delicious.

He looked dangerous.

He looked like a thousand sexy, secret dreams she’d never dared to let herself dwell on in the light of day, let alone admit to anyone.

Now as the limo glided to a stop, she was hard-pressed to tear her eyes from him.

“You’re staring,” Roman said softly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

“I’m sure I’m not the first woman to stare at you.” She wasn’t embarrassed. He looked like sex on a stick—he had to know that.

“You’re not. But I can’t think of too many women who’ve been able to give me a hard-on just by stroking me with their eyes, the way you do.” He shifted in his seat, making it clear he wasn’t just saying that, either.

Her eyes dropped to his lap.

“Damn, Julianna. Do you want to make it impossible for me to get out of this limo in the next few hours or what?” He grimaced, but his words were delivered in good nature.

She laughed, unable to control the curl of delight that twined through her. She loved knowing he reacted to her.

“Our car is next, Mr. Montrose,” a voice said over the loudspeaker.

Roman’s eyes shot to hers. “You need to behave or we’re going to give the crowd a lot more to talk about than needed.”

“They’ll already be talking about us.”

“But do they need to mention that I climbed out of the limo sporting wood while you were laughing?” he quipped.

“I’m hardly laughing about your…state,” she finished delicately.

He leaned across the limo and cupped her cheek. “What is it that has you laughing, beautiful Julianna?”

She shook her head, unable to put it all into words. The limo pulled forward and she closed her hand over his wrist, squeezing lightly. “It’s show time. How many stares do you think we’ll get?”

“All of them.” He let her tug her hand away and let his gaze sweep over her. “But a great many people will be looking at you because you’re so beautiful. You look like you’re made of gold in that dress.”

Julianna shivered at his tone. “Thank you.”