My head whips up, and my gaze collides with Cristian’s.
“How much of that did you hear?”
“You threatening him if he even breathed near me,” I choke out.
“You weren’t supposed to hear that.” His brow creases as he studies my face.
“I was heading to the bathroom, and I didn’t know what to do when I came across you,” I truthfully admit.
“I’m sorry you witnessed that.” He visibly cringes. “It shouldn’t have been necessary, but I’ve seen the way he’s been watching you, and I don’t like it. I told you I’d protect you today, and I meant it.”
“I’m not angry, Cristian,” I say, pushing off the wall.
“Are you scared?”
I know why he’s asking. I shake my head. “I’m not angry or scared, Cristian. I’m grateful. I don’t like how he’s been looking at me either. It’s made me very uncomfortable. Isa already hates my guts, and this will only make it worse.” What I can’t say is how his words actuallycomfortme. Should I tell him the truth? Should I ask him for help?
“I’ve spoken with Isa. She won’t give you any trouble today.”
“Oh, I don’t doubt it. Seems she’s set her sights on someone else.”
Cristian splutters, and his eyes pop wide. “Whatever you’re thinking, stop. She’s had a little too much to drink, that’s all.”
“You’re a smart man, Cristian. Please tell me you don’t really believe that. Everyone in that room saw her and knows she wants you.”
“It doesn’t matter if she does.” Taking my arm, he moves me around the corner as two guests approach. He nods at the couple as they pass by before fixing his gaze on me. “I’m not interested in her.”
I pull up my big-girl panties and say what’s on my mind. “Then you won’t mind dancing with me.”
“It’s probably not wise.”
“It’s a party, Cristian. You can dance with the nanny, and no one will think anything of it.” That’s probably not true, but I’m not leaving here without a dance. If the bride gets one, then so do I. Feeling brave, I place my hand on his impressive chest. “I just need to use the bathroom. Wait for me?”
His callused palm cups my cheek, and heat seeps into my skin as I arch into his touch. Fiery tingles race across my face, and I want to fling my arms around him and never let go. He looked so hot today in his suit, but he looks even more gorgeous now he’s ditched the dress jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his shirt. I’m addicted to his arms and fascinated with the ink covering his smooth, muscular, tanned skin. I want to lick them all over and trace the veins with my tongue.
“Sloane.”
His breathy tone drags my gaze back up to his amused face. “What?” I rasp.
“I’ll wait here for you.”
“Okay.” I feel like crying when his hand pulls away from my face, but I hold it together and walk on autopilot to the bathroom.
I attend to business and quickly touch up my makeup before I rejoin him outside.
Tension bleeds into the air between us as we walk silently side by side down the corridor and back into the ballroom. Cristian procures a chilled bottle of wine and checks in with his mother to ensure Elio is okay. “He’s perfectly fine. Having the time of his life with his cousins.” Snatching the bottle from her son’s hand, she shoos us with a flap of her hands. “Go dance, enjoy yourselves.”
Cristian looks torn as he threads his fingers in mine and leads me toward the dance floor, and I can guess why. It might be my imagination, but I think he’s already fighting a losing battle with his conscience.
The band is playing a fast number when we reach the packed dance floor, and we find a space off to the left and start shimmying. Damn, Cristian has moves, and any awkwardness is quickly forgotten as we both give it our all. It’s not long before we’re smiling, laughing, and flirting, and I’m thoroughly enjoying myself. Cristian lets go of his reservations, twirling me around the floor, reeling me into his chest, dipping me down low, and syncing his moves to mine. We draw closer with each new song, and by the time the band slows it down, we’re already in one another’s arms.
“Sloane, Sloane,” he says, banding his arms tightly around my waist and holding me flush against his strong body as we sway in tune to the music. His brow presses to mine, and then his eyes close. “What are you doing to me?” he whispers over my mouth as I feel his hard length brush against me.
“The same thing you’re doing to me,” I earnestly reply.
His eyes open and pierce mine. “I’m trying to stay away from you,” he admits as his hand moves higher, finding the bare skin of my back. His touch lights a fire inside me, and I shiver in his arms. “But it’s so fucking hard.”
I want to tell him to stop denying what we both obviously want, but laying it all on the line didn’t work out great for me last time, so I trap the words. It has to be him. Cristian needs to be the one to tear down the boundaries he’s erected. “You know how I feel,” I softly say.
