Chapter Six
Desmond
With one final tug on my sweater, I stopped fretting over what to wear and headed for the front door of my condo.
When I’d texted him about it, Kane had told me the attire was business casual.
I could have worn anything that I wore to work, but none of it seemed appropriate for a Christmas party.
I preferred black, brown, and gray for my wardrobe.
Pretty bland to celebrate the festive season, especially when other donors for the charity would be in attendance.
No matter which functions I attended, my grandfather insisted I represent Adan Records with civility and sureness.
Especially after my father had done so much to tarnish the company’s reputation.
Fashion that made me stand out from the others, whether as more posh or too casual, would not adhere to that expectation.
I’d settled on black slacks with a black shirt and a red ribbed knit sweater.
If the sweater wasn’t appropriate, I had a red tie in my pocket that I could put on instead.
After slipping into my black leather boots and grabbing my keys and jacket, I headed out.
None of the underground routes in Saramto would take me to the restaurant where the Christmas party was being held.
Instead, I drove through the busy city streets toward a bar and grill I’d never been to.
When I was young, my mother and I could never afford to eat at such a place.
After meeting my grandfather, he told me to never eat at a chain restaurant.
Yet, I refused to turn down the invitation from Kane.
Even if it did seem a bit forced by his co-workers.
I longed for any time with him, as did my wolf.
I pulled into the parking lot and searched for a spot. There was no valet or an underground garage as would be expected with any of my work functions. It was a nice change from that class of living, while still feeling like another world I didn’t fit into.
Once I found a spot and turned off my car, I ran my palms down my pants and took a deep breath.
I wanted to impress Kane, make him glad he’d been encouraged to invite me, so he didn’t back out of coming to my party the following week.
Picking him up would have been ideal, but when I’d offered, he’d refused and told me he would meet me at the restaurant.
After heading inside, I let the host know that I was with the Good Neighbor House. He led me to a room in the back where the noise was a level above the rest of the restaurant. I heard the holiday greetings and festive banter as others took their seats at various tables ahead of me.
I glanced around, searching for Kane, hoping he’d arrived before me and hadn’t been made to shift into his reindeer form for entertaining the humans in attendance. I spotted him in the back corner as he raised his hand, a soft grin across his lips. I hoped that meant he was happy I came.
As I made my way to him, I recognized some of the people in the room.
Aside from Kane’s co-workers, I’d met some of the donors at various work functions.
Not the galas but various vendor meetings and promotional events.
They owned and managed the businesses that worked alongside Adan Records. Which meant they likely knew my dad.
Ignoring the stares and whispering behind hands, I focused on my date. Wearing a green sweater and white pants, he seemed the opposite of me in terms of fashion. At least we didn’t clash.
I hung my coat over the back of the chair across from him.
It was a two-person table against a bench seat that spanned the entire wall.
With the unwanted attention of some people in the room, I was glad it would be just the two of us sitting together rather than being stuck trying to make small talk with another couple or two.
Hopefully, it would give me a chance to get to know him better.
The wolf in me didn’t like me having my back to everyone, but I supposed it was better than being aware of the conversations of others.
Kane stood before I had a chance to sit. “Hi.” He took hold of my hands and leaned forward, giving me a flutter soft kiss on my cheek. “I’m glad you made it.”
My brain and heart tripped over each other as guests in the room made their opinions known about the interaction. The voices of Kane’s co-workers were the loudest, familiar cheers of encouragement, yet not enough to cover the unapproving guffaws.
I gently squeezed his hands and focused on him, the only reason I was there. “Of course. I would never turn down an invitation from you.”
As his cheeks turned pink, I let go and followed his lead to sit.
“No, seriously.” He reached out across the table. “At first, I didn’t think I wanted a date to this thing, but once I got here, I was glad I’d invited you.”
“I understand.” Probably more than he realized.
“It’s different dealing with these people one on one than being in a room with a bunch of them at once.
I know some of them from my work dealings, and I would never want to be here on my own.
” When I grazed my fingers over his, his wary smile turned brighter.
“I ordered you the meat dinner. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course.” I took his hand and kissed the top of it, making him blush even more. “How are the donations coming along?” As much as I wanted to explore more of the cute omega, I didn’t want to embarrass him and make him regret inviting me, especially with this crowd.
He leaned back with a sigh, even as his smile remained. “They’re finally coming in, thanks to the spot you did on the news, but demand is so high this year, making the finish line seem so far away still.”
Unfolding my napkin, I set it to the right side of the table. “I’m hoping to do one more call for donations at Adan before the holidays. What are you in the greatest need of?”
Kane’s bottom lip trembled as he played with his hands in his lap. “You’ve already done so much. We appreciate it all and won’t have a problem fulfilling toy requests this year.”
“Ah, but that didn’t answer my question.” I found his shoe under the table and moved mine against the side of his.
With a slow blink, he took a deep breath. “I guess we need money the most. For fresh food. We try to give our recipients things like potatoes and fresh vegetables. Even some turkey for the meat eaters. That way, they can have a nice dinner, too.”
“Let me see how much more I can get from those at work before they all go on holidays. I’m sure they’ll feel more generous as the holidays get closer.” I knew most of the artists could afford it since they were planning on going on cruises and tropical vacations for Christmas.
“Well, we’re all grateful for any donation, big and small.” He rubbed his shoe along mine.
I had the urge to take his hand and lead him to a private area where we could do more than touch our hands and feet together. If only the servers hadn’t come in with our food right then.
It was a delicious meal with generous portions. The first Christmas party I’d been to without any alcohol or dancing. Two hours after I’d arrived, many guests had already left.
“Would you like a ride home?” I didn’t know if he’d driven himself, but in no way did I want Kane to have to walk or take public transportation when it was so dark out.
“Only with the understanding that you drive me directly home and I am not inviting you into my place.” His playful grin made my wolf want to challenge his words.
“What about a goodbye kiss? Can I, at least, have that?”
“Depends on how good of a kisser you are.” He winked at me before grabbing his coat and heading for the exit. “Don’t forget to grab a gift bag.”
“Gift bags?” I asked after catching up with him in the main foyer of the restaurant. “Why would a charity give out gift bags to their donors instead of those in need?”
Kane shrugged as he slipped on his jacket. “They’re filled with donated items from local businesses. Those places want the donors to shop at their stores, and many of the big donors like when their donation comes with something in return, like the dinner and gift bags.”
I was confused. “Isn’t seeing the good they’re doing in the community enough?”
With a chuckle, Kane shook his head. “For a rich person, you certainly are na?ve.”
“I’m comfortable but not rich.” I held the door open for him as we stepped out into the cold evening air. “And I wasn’t always that way. My mom struggled to raise me on her own for most of my childhood. I’ve been in the position of those who use your services.”
“Oh.” He wrapped his arms around himself. “Well, you’re the only large donor who has ever volunteered at a community meal. The rest just like the perks of publicity and a tax write-off, but don’t really care about the people in need.”
I might have been the same if I’d grown up knowing my father and grandfather. Though Gregorious Adan was very generous with his time for his chosen charities and had encouraged me to be the same way when I chose mine.
I opened the car door for Kane before going around to get in. After he told me his address, I set off to get him home safely, my mind still lost in trying to figure out the intentions of the wealthy. It was a world I doubted I would ever understand.
When I pulled up in front of Kane’s home, a brownstone townhouse, my wolf was anxious and wanting the omega’s attention. I never remembered him being so active on a date before. Yes, I’d felt him, but not so loud and energetic. “Are you sure you won’t invite me in?”
I rushed around to the other side to get the door for him before he could answer. As he took my offered hand and stepped out, I caught his playful smile.
“My parents are waiting for me to call and tell them about all the famous people I saw tonight. They’ve already texted me. Plus, I’m not ready to take you past the lady who owns this place and the others who rent here. I only have a bachelor apartment on the top floor.”
I took his hands and, feeling how cold they were, rubbed them between mine. “Perhaps you’ll invite me up another time, then.”
“Maybe.” His eyes twinkled as he smiled.
Releasing his hands, I leaned closer before cupping the back of his neck and kissed his lips.
I caught his brief gasp before he gripped my arms and pulled himself into me.
With slow, gentle motions, I savored the taste of his soft lips.
They were so responsive and easy to tease open as I grazed my tongue along the edge of his.
He moaned into my mouth, and my lust for him skyrocketed.
When he pulled away with a soft sigh, it took me a moment to catch my bearings. “I think it’s time for me to go inside now.”
“Um, okay. You’re still coming to my party next Saturday, right?”
One corner of his mouth turned up as the twinkle returned to his eyes. “That was the deal. We can figure out arrangements for it through the week.”
“Sure.” I nodded as my mind flipped between the disappointment of saying goodbye and the excitement of getting to see him again.
I struggled with the idea of letting him out of my sight and made sure he got up the stairs and into the building before I turned away.
As I headed back to the driver’s side of my car, my wolf cried out mate.