FIVE
Brad studied the shywoman dancing with him whose attention darted around the room more than it had rested on him. He liked the way she pressed against him so intimately and yet didn’t seem to mind. He enjoyed the way she’d gazed at him as if she’d never seen anything so perfect. He also liked the scent surrounding her – better than a flower garden. Of course, roses had always been his favorite.
The longer he watched her scan the crowd, the more he realized she was purposely trying not to look at him. His mouth twitched into a grin. He’d change that in a hurry.
While the crowd distracted her, he had the chance to examine her eyes. They were actually prettier than he remembered from this morning. Not very often had he met women with gray eyes, but hers were such a pretty color. Being this close to her, he couldn’t help but notice they also held specks of gold as if God had sprinkled stars in her eyes.
As he studied her face more closely, he realized smooth skin framed the oval shape. Too bad she hid those pretty eyes behind outdated glasses.
Her high cheekbones curved delicately on her face, and her nose looked almost too small to hold up the frames of her glasses. Her heart-shaped lips were a luscious peach color. His close scrutiny continued, traveling past her slightly round chin, down to her long, slender neck. Her skin appeared nice and smooth, and suddenly the urge to brush his lips across that spot overwhelmed him.
Without asking her permission, he lowered his head and rested his face in the curve of her neck. He inhaled her flowery scent. It played havoc with his thoughts. On impulse, he pressed his mouth softly to her skin, brushing feathery kisses along her neck. Against his lips, goosebumps rose up on her skin, and he smiled.
He closed out the loud music around him and concentrated on the soft gasps coming from Breanna’s throat. He tightened his arms around her. The erratic pound of her heart thudded against his chest, and his heartbeat had quickened to keep up with the rhythm.
Strange he would feel this way about a woman he barely knew. But she’d been on his mind since this morning. In fact, it was before then. Since the cab ride. He didn’t want to see her name and picture on the obituary page just because someone didn’t take the time to look past her outward appearance.
Once again, thoughts of his younger sister passed through his mind, and agony wrenched his heart. If only someone had paid her a little attention, maybe Carrie wouldn’t have killed herself.
The song drew to an end. Disappointingly, he pulled away but still held her loosely. He gazed into her eyes that were now a darker shade of gray.
He smiled. “Are you sure you’ve never been to a party before? You’re a great dancer.”
Her cheeks flamed. “Thank you.”
“Thanks for the dance, tiger.” He winked, then turned and left her side, and within seconds his body experienced the loss. He’d have to remember that strange feeling inside of him next time he wanted to dance with her.
* * * *
BREANNA BACKED AGAINSTthe nearest wall for support, feeling as if her legs were going to collapse beneath her. What was wrong with her, and why couldn’t she control it?
Desperately, she tried to get her breathing under control and placed a hand on her chest. He’d called her that name again, and for some reason it didn’t anger her anymore. In fact, the longer she thought about the way he’d said it – almost like an endearment – the wider her smile stretched.
Out of the corner of her eyes, Amanda caught her attention. Still struggling with her trembling body, Breanna tried her best to look composed as her co-worker walked up to her.
“Hey, Breanna. Great party.”
“Thanks, Amanda.”
“Boy, aren’t you lucky? I haven’t danced with Brad tonight. Not yet, anyway.”
Breanna mentally shook herself back to reality. “Are you having a good time?”
