“I’m not a damned horse!”
“No, you’re a woman, Sophie,” Pop said. “That’s all any of us simple men want. A luscious handful of woman to cuddle up to at night.”
He winked at Uncle James, and they both discreetly checked out the three giggling women over in the corner.
“Ooh, not while I’m looking,” I said in a firm tone, although secretly, I was flattered, my confidence boosted. A bit of life in the old broad yet, I thought. I licked my lips and imagined I could taste Isaac. Damn, I didn’t think I’d shower for a week.
* * * * *
I’ll admit I wasn’t looking forward to the dance. Another night of loneliness, but at least I’d be able to go shopping tomorrow while the others played golf.
We walked into the Bowls Club with the other twenty-two members of our group. The wave of conversation hit first, followed closely by theka-chinkof the slot machines and the faint clink of glasses. My nose picked out the scents—smoke, perfume, the old-fashioned aftershave favored by the men in our group and the enticing aromas of steaks and seafood wafting from the dining area.
“We’re off to mingle. Don’t wait up for us,” Uncle James said with a wink at Pop, and before I could offer a protest they blended into the crowd.Great. I’d have dinner and head back to the accommodation. Maybe catch a movie.
“Sophie.”
I turned on hearing the husky voice, and just like that the range of possibilities for the way I could spend my evening widened. As long as Redhead wasn’t hovering in the wings. I peered behind Isaac but couldn’t see a bodyguard.
“You came,” I said, a dopey grin forming. “What about—“
Isaac took my arm and led me in the direction of the bar. “We had a disagreement.”
I wanted to ask questions, but his tone and set face discouraged my nosiness. “Too bad,” I lied. “Can I buy you a drink?” I drank in his appearance, committing the vision of masculinity to my memory, so I could pull it out later and gloat that a young man had taken the time to socialize with me, an almost forty-year-old. He wore black trousers and a light blue, short-sleeved shirt. Nothing fancy, but then a man with his looks would display well in a ratty towel.
Or nothing at all, I thought, mentally undressing him.
Oops. My thoughts screeched to an appalled halt. A bit early in the evening for that sort of naughtiness. I hadn’t even had a glass of wine yet.
In the next room, a band started up with a soft ballad.
Isaac took my hand. “Let’s dance first.”
Agreement froze half way up my throat. I think I managed a creditable nod. All I could think was that I’d feel that hard wall of muscle pressing against my breasts again. Inwardly I trembled, worried at the direction my thoughts were heading.
This could only lead to heartache.Mine.
I hadn’t felt this strongly about a man since my husband. Richard had been with the army and had died in a training accident when Susan was three. There had been a few men in the interim, but mostly I’d concentrated on raising my daughter. Now she’d married, there was a huge hole in my life.
At the edge of the dance floor, Isaac took me in his arms. Our gazes connected, making me swallow with sudden nerves. My nipples were tight buds, the friction of my flesh against lacy bra cups leading to a ricochet effect throughout my sensitized body. A wave of heat swept to my cheeks.
Isaac grinned, and it contained a quizzical quality. “Don’t you want to dance with me?”
“Yes,” I whispered, suddenly feeling as though I was saying yes to more than I was prepared for.
“Good.” And he pressed me closer, stepping smoothly into a gap on the dance floor.
Our steps were perfectly matched. Isaac was only six inches taller than me so our dance didn’t have the awkwardness that used to characterize my shuffles with Richard. I sighed, overdosing on his spicy scent. Being this close to Isaac was heaven and hell combined.
The man was a little older than Susan. I should have kept a decorous six inches between our bodies and chatted lightly about my daughter and her husband and all the other things we used to discuss when Susan was running late.
Instead, my breasts were flattened against his chest. Our legs brushed with each lazy step, and if I wasn’t mistaken, he wasverypleased to see me. It wasn’t such a huge leap to horizontal thoughts.
I drew in a soft, shuddery breath, namely to get oxygen to my brain and clear my thinking. Mistake big time. All I got was a lungful of Isaac’s seductive scent.
Time to admit the truth.
I was aroused, dammit! And I wanted to jump this man so badly my stomach quivered and my sex ached. It had happened quickly. So quickly, I was shocked because I didn’t act this way when I was at home in Auckland.
