Couples were beginning to make their way onto the dance floor, but she’d never been much of a dancer. “I can’t—”
“I won’t take no for an answer.” He held out a hand.
“Technically that wasn’t ano. It was acan’t.”
“I won’t takecan’tfor an answer either.” His outstretched hand didn’t budge. If anything, at his full height and with his broad shoulders, he held himself with an intimidating self-assurance she wasn’t sure she could resist—didn’t want to resist.
How long had it been since she’d felt this way about a man? She honestly couldn’t remember, as it had been years since she’d gone out on a date.
Was that what this was? A date?
She stared at his strong hand, his tanned skin, and his blunt nails.
“Just a few dances.” His voice dropped low. “I promise that’s all.”
A few dances? She could do that. Then she’d say goodnight and walk away.
She placed her hand in his.
A smile curved up the corners of his mouth, turning him from handsome to slay-me-now gorgeous. She stopped breathing, stopped thinking, stopped moving and could only stare at that smile, half cocked and revealing perfect teeth. She most definitely needed resuscitation. But before she could call for it, his fingers tightened around hers, and then he was tugging her along behind him as he wound his way to the dance floor.
He didn’t stop until they were in the middle, and then he slid one hand to her back and lifted their joined hands together.
She tried to focus on the dance, what everyone around them was doing, so that she could imitate the steps. But her every thought zeroed in on his hands. The one holding hers was firm and already guiding her in the moves of the dance, while the one on her back was tender and as light as a caress.
“I’m not a good dancer, Tyler.”
“Lucky for you, I am.” He smiled again. And the smile slayed her again too.
She was helpless to do anything but follow his lead as he moved proficiently around the dance floor, guiding her and twirling her with an ease that helped her to relax. She found herself catching on in no time and was soon enjoying the dancing more than she’d anticipated.
When the band finally paused for a break, she was breathless and hot and happy. Still holding her hand after the past hour, Tyler tugged her along again, this time toward a glass door that led to the balcony overlooking the waterfall and river.
Darkness had already descended, but several lights placed strategically along the river and waterfall illuminated the sparkling, cascading droplets, turning them silver in the moonlight.
Other couples had come out onto the balcony too, having the same idea as Tyler to cool off and enjoy the view.
Tyler led her to a more secluded end of the balcony. Only when they were standing at the railing side by side did he release his hold on her hand. For an irrational second, she was tempted to grab it back, wasn’t ready to lose the connection with him.
She grasped the wrought iron instead. What was she thinking? That after growing familiar with his touch and hand during the dancing, she could go around holding his hand whenever she wanted?
He leaned his forearms on the railing and peered out at the view.
She sneaked a peek his way, his chiseled outline making her heart skip irregularly. After being in his arms and dancing face-to-face, she figured she would have had her fill of him. But maybe he was the kind of man a woman craved more rather than less.
She really had to get a grip on herself. She didn’t want to crave more of Tyler. Not only would craving him be entirely unprofessional, but they also didn’t get along. Or at least they hadn’t gotten along until tonight. Now she couldn’t remember what about him she’d disliked.
Regardless of these strange new feelings, she wasn’t in a place in her life where she wanted a relationship—casual or otherwise. Not when she was still intent on building her career.
Besides, her traveling schedule didn’t allow for dating. After she finished one job, there was always another waiting for her. If she had a day or two—or sometimes three—between positions, she went to visit her mom in Naperville, since she’d long ago decided to give up her apartment. There was no sense in keeping something so permanent when she was gone ninety percent of the time.
There was also no sense in getting involved with a man when she had such a nomadic lifestyle. She didn’t have room in her life for a long-distance relationship, and the logistics would be a nightmare. So why bother starting one at all?
Yes, Tyler was in the market for a wife to bring his dad happiness and health. And T.W.’s brush with death had obviously made him realize he wanted to see all his children happily married before his time on earth was over.
However, their newfound goal to find Tyler a wife wasn’t her problem. Not that Tyler would consider her a viable candidate for a wife anyway. They might be feeling some chemistry tonight—okay, maybe a lot of chemistry—but it didn’t mean anything. He had to know as well as she did that whatever was sparking between them was temporary. Very temporary.
“You’re a good dancer.” Tyler finally broke their silence.
