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honor.”
    Matthew frowned. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt.”
    “Then it’s decided. Party starts at seven. I’ll send you the invite. There’s so much to do in the two weeks before the party.” Wendy jumped with joy. Momo growled and she quickly soothed him with more kisses. “I’ll let you two get back to dinner. The mayor’s waiting for me, and he’s never a patient man. Toodles.” She walked off before they could say anything else.
    Jenesi peeked at him. He stared back. “What just happened?”
    She bit her lip. “Well, I think you just promised her to strut around a bunch of hungry females who probably can’t wait to get their hands on you.”
    He jerked back. “What?”
    Settling into her chair, Jenesi sighed. “You’re the hot bachelor around here, besides Jared, when he’s home. They all know when you’re back. I walk into Liz’s spa and every single female in town is prepping herself in case she runs into you.”
    Matt tugged at the collar of his shirt. “And I’m supposed to take this, how?”
    She laughed at his expression. “I thought you’d be pleased to hear about it.”
    “No.” He downed the rest of his wine. “Not that I mind parties, but I hate being the center of attention.”
    She mimicked Wendy’s voice. “‘Think of all the families our donation will help.’”
    Matthew chuckled. “I guess you’ll have to be my date, to protect me.”
    Her heart skipped a beat. “Your date?”
    “Well, you can’t expect me to go by myself. I’d never make it out of there alive.”
    Everyone in town would know there was something between them if they showed up together. It was one thing to go out to dinner, since they usually hung out when he was home, but to attend such a function as a couple? She bit her lip.
    “Jenesi.”
    The waiter appeared with their salads.
    She thanked the server and picked up her fork. “Don’t you think that is kind of moving a little fast?”
    Matthew reached across the table and picked up her hand. “No. I wouldn’t want to go with anyone else but you. Besides, I don’t know when I’ll be called back to work. My leave is only for another month and a half.”
    A pang nudged her heart. She’d known he wasn’t going to stay. His missions were unpredictable. He could be gone for days or even months at a time. He’d always been in and out of her life. But the idea of him getting hurt again made her sick. “Isn’t that a little too soon to go back to work?”
    “I’ve been on leave for two months already.”
    “I see.” She withdrew from his grip and picked at her salad.
    “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing.”
    “Jenesi.”
    “Don’t ‘Jenesi’ me.”
    “Why are you getting mad?”
    “I’m not.”
    “You are.”
    She set her fork down on the table. “I just think it’s too soon for you to leave. You just got shot. And your wound isn’t fully healed.”
    “I should be fine in a month and a half.”
    That meant he’d be gone before Thanksgiving. She hated the idea. The short time she’d have with him was better than nothing, though, right? “I guess I’ll be your date just to save you from all those women.”
    He relaxed. “You’d better.”
    Jenesi trailed the tip of her stiletto against his calf. With a mischievous grin, she swept her hair over her shoulder, and his darkening gaze roamed over her bare shoulders and back to her lips.
    “Who knew you were such a tease?”
    “You haven’t seen anything yet.”
     
    ***
     
    Matt opened the passenger door and held Jenesi’s hand as she slid out of the car. He memorized every little detail, from her messy curls to her spaghetti-strap black dress, smooth skin to her long legs. She’d played on his control all night. He wanted nothing more than to carry her into the house and up the stairs to her room and love her for hours. But it was too soon.
    Her hesitation in answering him when he’d asked her to the party worried him. Was she afraid to be seen with him? Concerned he was only