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the Thomas Family New Year’s Eve Charity Ball is a tradition, and we missed it last year. That’s why,” came the sharp, I’m-sick-of-your-whining-so-shut-your-mouth reply through the door.
    Heh.
    “Well, it’s a stupid-ass tradition,” Carter grumbled to himself as he once more attempted to tie his bow tie, again without success. He didn’t know what all the fuss was about. He could still give a check to charity in fucking jeans and a T-shirt! “Dammit, Kat, why the hell didn’t you get me a clip-on one?”
    “Because”—the bathroom door finally opened—“it wouldn’t have looked as good as a tied one.”
    “But it won’t do as it’s told!” Carter whined, holding the urge to stamp his foot.
    He looked from the mirror and over his shoulder to where Kat stood, ready to bitch and moan some more, but what he saw halted the words dead and just about stopped his heart. His wide, awestruck eyes devoured the black, strapless, floor-length gown Kat wore, dancing over her delicate collar bones and décolletage, across her bare shoulders to her long arms, one of which was decorated at the wrist with the stunning onyx bracelet he’d given to her for her birthday. Her engagement ring looked spectacular on her left hand.
    “Give me the damned thing and I’ll tie it for you. It’s really easy. I learned how to do my dad’s when I was about six and . . . why are you looking at me like that?”
    She stopped and touched her hair, which was pinned up. Her dress clung to her in sinful, breathtaking ways. Carter rubbed at his sternum, where a heated ball of possessive desire grew unashamedly, pumping lust and wonder through his veins. Mine , his blood sang. All mine .
    “Carter?”
    He brought a finger up to her glossed lips. “Shhh.” The sound was all he was capable of as he watched her flush under his heated gaze. Slowly, never taking his stare from her skin, he walked around her, seeing the gooseflesh appear across her neck and shoulders as he moved.
    He stood before her and took a long, deep breath that he released gradually, gathering himself, calming the overwhelming urge to lift her to the bed and worship her body the way it was meant to be. “I’m without words.”
    Kat shifted and smiled nervously. “Well, that’s a first.”
    Carter stepped closer, catching the scent of her perfume and the underlying fragrance of peaches from her hair. “Is this what you bought with Beth?” She nodded. “You are . . . Peaches, no woman will ever look as perfect as you do right now. Ever.”
    A small whimper was all that escaped Kat before Carter’s lips pressed against hers. She tasted as good as she looked, and her skin under his hands was soft and smooth. He opened his mouth, deepening the kiss, needing to feel her tongue against his. She gripped the back of his dress shirt and groaned into him.
    “We can’t,” she panted, breaking the kiss that was becoming fire and desperate yearning. “The car will be here in ten minutes.”
    “I can make you come in five,” Carter growled into her throat as he kissed and nibbled at the small freckles he adored so much. “You don’t even have to take the dress off.”
    She moaned and clung to him. “Oh, God. I don’t doubt it, and I swear to you we can do whatever you want when we get home, but we can’t be late.”
    Carter, hard and almost frantic with the need to lift up her skirts and do dastardly things to her with his mouth, grunted into her shoulder. “Fine,” he acquiesced reluctantly. This teasing thing was getting to be goddamn ridiculous. He stood back, stretching his neck from side to side, willing his body to calm the hell down.
    Kat bit her lip. “Dammit, you look hot as hell in that shirt and pants.”
    Carter didn’t miss a beat. “I look even better without them. Wanna see?”
    Kat shook her head and laughed. She tied the bow tie, squirming under Carter’s hands as they traveled up and down the tight bodice of her dress. Jesus, she looked