stepped around her desk. Coming up beside her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and she snuggled closer.
Richard wasnât into public displays of affection. Heâd hold her hand or touch her back, but his reserve in public meant she had to take advantage of every chance for intimacy whenever they were alone.
âI think Gabrielle was great and I have you to thank for inviting her. But I think you were even better. The way you stood up for your friendââ he shook his head ââyou did me proud.â
She smiled, pleased. âI just couldnât believe Hank Corwin attacked her that way.â
âIâm glad to see you felt confident enough to do it.â
She didnât want to talk about herself. âIâm just glad I could contribute to the cause.â
He smoothed his hand over the back of her hair. âWeâre a team. Itâs our cause. You know that having you by my side only makes me look better.â
âAnd more intelligent.â She laughed and kissed him on the cheek.
âSpeaking of intelligence, I spoke to some people on their way out the door tonight,â Richard said. âMost mentioned theyâd never thought much beyond the curse before tonight. They just believed in its power. Theyâre rethinking those views now,â he said.
âDid you see the way she sat there tonight? Not saying a word, just making sure people donât forget she exists?â Sharon shivered at the memory. âShe even tried to con Gabrielle by requesting she autograph a copy of her book.â
âMaryâs devious, all right,â Richard said. âThereâs no question she gets things done. Itâs her means of doing them that are questionable.â
âWell, hopefully her days of subtle threats are coming to an end. If nothing else, Gabrielle has gotten people to think about whether putting Mary Perkins back in office is something they want or something they feel compelled to do because theyâre afraid of her.â Sharon was definitely pleased with tonightâs outcome.
âI really appreciate all you do for me.â He tipped her face and kissed her, keeping things slow and sensual, the way she liked it.
âMmm.â A purr escaped from the back of her throat.
âPlease tell me you can come back to our home for a while tonight,â he said in a gruff voice.
âI think I can manage that as long as you drop me off at my parents at a semirespectable hour,â she teased.
He let out a long-suffering groan. âI hate that we have to be apart.â
âAnother couple of weeks and weâll be married. Then I wonât have to leave you ever again.â
He hugged her tight.
âWell? Will you get me home early?â She knew that meant setting an alarm so neither of them fell asleep.
âLetâs see. Take you home now or squeeze in a few hours alone with you and live without sleep.â He devoured her with his eyes. âYou drive a hard bargain.â
She wiggled her eyebrows. âIâve only just begun,â she said, promise rich in her voice.
CHAPTER FIVE
G ABRIELLE STEPPED INTO the muggy summer air, a direct contrast to the air-conditioned library. Yet despite the humidity outside, she breathed more easily. It helped that she had Derek by her side. She stepped closer so her arm deliberately brushed his as she walked. A ripple of awareness shot through her and she inhaled deeply, only to be surrounded by his masculine scent.
His overpowering presence enabled her to focus on the more positive parts of the evening, including her successful speech and the fact that sheâd openly revealed the idea for her next novel.
Because it was summertime, the sun hadnât yet set and there were still vestiges of light in the sky. In the meantime, the streetlamps were already turned on in anticipation of darkness.
âCan I hitch a ride home?â Derek asked.
She smiled, happy to