Free Because You Need Me (Falling for You, Book Two) by Ava Claire

something told me this was the start of something good.
    I tuned back into the conversation at hand. I’d already forgotten every name that had been given to me, but they knew exactly who I was. As soon as I stepped into the courtyard, they were on me like flies on shit.
    One of the more aggressive ones flashed his bleached white teeth. They gleamed as brightly as his balding head. “So, Xander-is it okay if I call you Xander?”
    “No,” I answered crisply.
    His smile wavered, but he recovered, smile firmly back in place. “Mr. Wade, if I could just pick your brain about this boutique I'm considering purchasing-”
    “It's a wedding,” I said with as much politeness that I could muster. “It's not really the venue for business advice.”
    A second practically humped my leg when I turned to exit. “Do you like golf? I'd love to buy you lunch at my club sometime soon.”
    He reached into his lapel for a business card, but I kept my hands firmly at my side, glancing at the lot of them and forgetting them instantly. “If you all would excuse me.”
    I sighed inwardly as I put them in the rear view and focused on Penny. She was talking to a gray haired woman whose voice was as animated as her bright yellow dress.
    “...and that's when I asked your mother if you were ever planning on settling down. You're not getting any younger, dear!”
    “Sounds like that's my cue,” I said smoothly.
    Penny met my eye and I watched relief flicker across her pretty face. “Aunt Margery, I'd like for you to meet my date, Xander Wade.”
    Margery turned her wide eyed astonishment on me, tucking her cane beneath her arm and nearly impaling an emaciated looking brunette. She held out her hand for me to kiss it like we were in some period movie. “Margery Robertson and my, my, my-Bree didn't tell me that you were such a looker!”
    I pressed my lips against her knuckles, turning the charm on. “Well, it seems modesty runs in the family. I'm a little more than a date. I'm Penny's boyfriend.” I stood upright and winked. “I'm pretty crazy about your niece.”
    Penny's cheeks matched her dress, but she moved closer to me, looping her arm in mine. Her touch sent a wildfire of lust and desire racing across my body. “Funny, cuz I'm pretty crazy about my Xander.”
    “Aren't you two just as cute as a picture!” Margery gushed. When the DJ spun some lively pop hit that made the guests whoop with delight, she used her cane to point at the dance floor. “Why are you two standing over here talking to an old lady?” She grinned at Penny. “If you don't ask him to dance, I will!”
    I guided Penny towards the floor, tossing a final smile at her aunt. “The next dance has your name on it, Margery.”
    “She's going to hold you to that you know,” Penny giggled, her arm sliding down the length of mine until our hands clasped.
    I paused just before we hit the mass of people gyrating, bringing our joined hands to my mouth. I brushed a kiss on her skin, then dipped my head and captured her lips. It was sweet and tender, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.
    Her eyes were still closed when I leaned back to look at her.
    “So, Margery is clearly Team Xander,” I said cockily. “One down-”
    “Too many cousins and aunts and uncles,” Penny shuddered. “My mother invited the entire family tree.” Her face went serious, her lips stretching into a thin line and her nostrils flaring. “And you still haven't met my mom. My dad will be easy. And Victoria...” She trailed off.
    I nodded, letting her know I understood I had my work cut out for me. “I'll have plenty of time to woo your sister.” I pulled her onto the floor, her body crashing into me. “For now,” I whispered, my lips skimming her ear. “Let's dance.”
    I didn't know the song. All the women around me, including Penny, seemed to know the words by heart. The only thing I knew was if she kept rolling her body the way she rolled it when we were in private, I was going