At this point, Tara didn’t mind. She followed and secretly delighted in being in his arms again. They danced and talked with others for the rest of the evening and Tara enjoyed herself more than she thought she ever could. Max was witty and charming to everyone he spoke to or was introduced, regardless of the title or lack of one. He made everyone feel like they were part of a club, special and exclusive even though he included anyone who approached.
At several points during the evening, she spoke to Greg but each time, he pushed her back into Max’s arms. “Don’t let me hold you up. You’re great at charming the man. I’ll use you for a reference,” he joked and pushed her back toward Max’s group.
Tara didn’t like the fact that he basically considered her a personal “in” for future contracts with the government because of her friendliness to the royal family. But since he pushed her away, then immediately moved off to further his acquaintance with yet another blond, she should feel fine about stepping back into Max’s circle. But when she looked up toward midnight and saw him leaving through security with the luscious blond on his arm, she was frantic.
Max chose that exact moment to turn and see what she was looking at and chuckled. “Looks like I get to see you home tonight,” he said and didn’t appear to be upset at the idea.
Tara shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s leaving with her!” Tara grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter. She hadn’t had much to drink all evening because she’d been too nervous around Max and unsure of what she might do or say. But with her date leaving with his arm around the waist of another woman, she didn’t care about decorum or professionalism anymore. How humiliating! She couldn’t even keep a blind date interested.
“I can’t either,” Max replied, watching her drain the glass. “What’s wrong, Tara?”
“Nothing,” she said and waved over the waiter who was standing a few feet away with another tray of champagne. Max handed her a new glass and watched as she drained that one as well.
“Have you eaten anything tonight?” he asked, smiling at her anger. He’d never seen her show much emotion before so this was interesting.
Tara shrugged her shoulders, warmed by both the champagne and the feeling that Max might care a little bit about her since this was the second time he’d asked her about food in two days. “No,” she admitted. “I was too nervous about running into you,” she said without thinking and looked around for another waiter.
Max controlled a chuckle at her admission. It was just one more piece of evidence he could use to justify keeping her near him during the evening. “Me? Why were you nervous about running into me?”
Her empty stomach now filled up with alcohol loosened her tongue. “You terrify me,” she said and smiled gratefully at the new waiter. “And this isn’t the most professional dress I’ve worn,” she said and pulled the spaghetti strap back up onto her shoulder after it slipped down her arm.
“I like the dress,” he chuckled. “I think we should get you some food,” he said and took her third empty glass. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drink more than half a glass of champagne in one night.”
“Well, you’ve never seen my date leave me by myself before, have you?” she said and rolled her eyes.
“Were you really interested in him?” he asked, wondering if he’d completely misread the signs her body was giving him earlier in the evening. “He doesn’t really seem like your type.”
Tara laughed but there was sarcasm in her tone. “What’s my type?” she asked, walking beside him as he led her through to the dining area and handed her a plate. “I mean, I haven’t had a date in months but in the past week I’ve had two. One of which I fall asleep during and the next, the man leaves with someone else. And a blond at that!”
Max laughed as he piled pasta and roast beef onto her plate. “What’s wrong with blonds?”
“Nothing in a strict sense, I suppose,” she replied and waved her plate in the air, almost toppling the food onto the floor. “Except when they leave with my date.”
“I can see how that might be an issue,” Max laughed and expertly took her plate from her flaying arms. He guided her over to a table and pushed her into a chair. “Eat,” he ordered.
Tara quickly stood up and picked up another glass of champagne as it passed by.
“No, you don’t,” Max laughed and took the glass from her, placing the fork in her hand instead.
Tara took the fork and glared at Max. “This is silly. I don’t overindulge,” she explained and stabbed a piece of pasta in a creamy seafood sauce. “Oh, this is delicious,” she said, taking another bite. “Have you eaten tonight?”
“No. But if you’ll be good, I’ll go get myself a plate,” he said and looked at her with a meaningful expression.
“Have I ever disobeyed an order from you?” she smiled sweetly.
Max shook his head as he laughed. “No, but there’s always a first time,” he said but stood up and headed back to the buffet table.
Tara watched him walk away and enjoyed the sight of his tall, incredibly handsome body as he moved through the crowd toward the food. He was so gorgeous, she thought, ignoring her plate of food. Why couldn’t he look at her the way a man looks at a woman?
Tara sighed and took the glass of champagne he’d moved away from her a few minutes ago. “Tara, old girl. Face it. You were made for a career and not for a man,” she said and drained her fourth glass.
Max came back to the table with his own plate of food and noticed two more empty glass of champagne. Tara was not eating. She was sitting back in her chair with a sixth glass in her hand. Thankfully, she was only sipping this one instead of drinking it quickly.
Tara didn’t bother to look at him as she asked her next question, feeling very warm and cozy now that the alcohol had hit her system. “What’s wrong with me, Max? Why can’t I attract and keep a normal man?”
Max had a bite of roast beef halfway to his mouth. But he stopped and looked at her, astonished. “What was that?”
Tara’s eyes were glazed over and her words were starting to slur but she could remember her question. “Really. Tell me what is wrong with me that men are just not attracted to me? I have plenty of male friends. And all the men at the office are very friendly to me. But none of them look at me sexually,” she explained.