The last thing he wanted to do was imagine Emily working out, so he turned back to the food, but the image was already in his brain. It was going to be a long night, he realized, and he let out a little sigh. Still, he was a grown man, he could ignore his desires, especially if those desires involved the enemy.
***Emily***
Emily took a sip of her coffee, completely relaxed after the big meal and sugary dessert, and watched Walker telling a story about winning a basketball game at the other end of the table. She’d been afraid at one point that it was going to be an uncomfortable night thanks to the attraction between them, a fact she’d been forced to face at the buffet table when she’d seen the raw desire in Taylor’s eyes for the first time. It was clearly too late for them to just be friends. They’d crossed a line and there was no going back, even if neither of them wanted what was blossoming between them.
Her personal and professional lives had suddenly become one and she had no idea how to untangle the two or if it waseven possible. She’d been lying to Taylor this entire time, but he was hiding something from her, too, which was where things got all tangled up, and she started going around in circles. With a sigh of frustration, she decided not to think about it for the rest of the evening. She was having too much fun, and reality would still be there in the morning.
Walker finished his story just as the band began to warm up, and a wave of excitement swept through the room as the small waitstaff quickly cleared the last of the dinner dishes. A few minutes later, the music started up, and couples began to fill the dance floor for the first slow number. They found themselves sitting there alone, the tension between them back.
“I guess we should go dance,” Taylor finally said. “That is, if you want to get the full experience.”
“Oh, I didn’t think about that,” she said, her heart starting to race a little. “I guess that would be a good idea.”
Taylor got to his feet and offered her his hand. “I’d better warn you, I’m not a great dancer,” he said, leading her over to the dance floor. “My mom tried, but I kind of have two left feet.”
“That’s okay,” she said, grinning up at him. “I’ll lead.”
He laughed, then swept her into his arms, and she sucked in a deep breath when her body pressed up against his as he spun them onto the dance floor. Fighting to catch her breath as waves of desire shot through her, she was barely aware of the room spinning around her. Instead, all she could think about was Taylor’s hard chest pressed up against her breasts. It felt like a long time before the music finally ended, and she was both relieved and disappointed when he stepped back from her with a wicked grin on his face.
“You lied,” she finally managed to choke. “You’re a great dancer.”
“That’s a well-kept secret, so don’t tell anyone,” he said,winking at her. “Are you up for another spin around the dance floor or did I wear you out already?”
“Are you trying to say that I’m out of shape?” she demanded, pretending to be offended. “I bet you’ll get tired before I do. You’re a little flabby around the middle, counselor.”
“Oh, you think so?” he asked, pulling her into his arms. “That’s a bet I’ll take. The winner gets to choose the prize.”
Before she could refuse, he pulled her onto the dance floor, and for the next half an hour, all she could do was keep up as he spun her around and around. It was a relief when the band finally took a break, and he was forced to lead her back to their table, her head still spinning from the dancing and being so close to him. He had a satisfied look on his face when he saw that she was sweating a little and breathing hard. She wanted to tell him that it wasn’t over, but she wasn’t quite capable of speaking yet.
“Are you ready to give up yet?” he asked, grabbing a glass of iced water off a tray as a waiter walked by and handing it to her. “You’re all out of breath and sweaty.”
“Way to make a girl feel good about herself,” she shot at him, then drained half the glass. “But I’m not giving up yet, I don’t like to lose in case you missed it.”
“Then you’d better catch your breath fast,” he said, grinning at her. “The band will be back in a few minutes.”
“You look a little tired yourself,” she said, holding out the glass of water. “Maybe you should drink some of this, too.”
He grinned at her but took the glass and drained what was left, then looked around for a server. “I guess I was a little thirsty,” he said. “I’ll just go find us a refill.”
Before he could get to his feet, a voice rang out over the table. “Taylor, there you are, I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” Sebastian called, walking up to them. “I see you’vegot your little friends with you, isn’t that nice. Are you all having fun?”
“We were,” Taylor said, getting to his feet. “What do you want?”
Sebastian didn’t say anything for a second, then he smiled, “I want to see you, of course,” he said, his eyes cold and hard. “After all, we’re family. We should spend time together, get to know each other, don’t you think?”
Taylor froze, and he narrowed his eyes at Sebastian. “We’re not family,” he growled. “You must be mistaken.”
“Oh, I’m not mistaken. As much as I hate to admit it, we’re blood kin,” Sebastian hissed at him. “Cousins, to be precise. Your mother was my father’s sister. That makes us family, even if the lying little whore took you away.”
The rage that appeared in Taylor’s eyes was instant, and if it hadn’t been for his friends, she wasn’t sure if Sebastian would have survived the night. “Well, I can see that I’ve upset you,” Sebastian said when Taylor was completely restrained. I guess I’ll be going on my way. We’ll have to talk some more when you’ve calmed down.”
Taylor didn’t relax until Sebastian disappeared from sight, then he shrugged off the arms holding him back. “I need some air,” he said, turning and heading the other way. “Don’t follow me.”
CHAPTER 13
***TAYLOR***
Taylor wasn’t aware of the band starting up again; he didn’t notice the people streaming back to the dance floor, and he just pushed his way through them, desperate for fresh air. Rage still pulsed through his blood, the dragon trapped inside him was desperate to get out, and he knew that he had to calm down before something unpleasant happened. Ignoring the looks he was getting as he stormed across the room toward the back doors, he pushed them open and all but ran outside, then began sucking in huge gasps of cold air.
