“Glow?”
Denise mocked shielding her eyes. “I swear my eyes are watering. I may need to find relief behind a potted plant until you dim to acceptable vision standards.”
“Be serious.” Danny turned away from her sister’s scandalous display, only to find the source of their conversation.
Danny cataloged the sensual tilt of Percy’s mouth and the strong, square jaw and charming cleft in his chin.
As if feeling her gaze, he looked over and their gazes locked.
The couples on the floor slowed, the sound of the orchestra muffled. There was a stolen moment in time and then there was this; when time itself stole away, leaving everyone and everything in suspended animation.
Danny tried to blink but couldn’t. Nor could she look away. Percy took up her whole view and more, as if she were looking at more than the present, but also a not-so-distant future.
A set of gloved fingers snapped in her face.
Danny blinked and turned her attention to her sister’s smirking face.
“Go ask him to dance,” Denise said.
Sound and reality crashed back in, along with a thrill at the bold idea. “I couldn’t.”
“Why not? Friends can’t dance?”
Frankly, she had no idea. “What if he says ‘no’?”
Denise’s pitying set to her mouth filtered into her words. “You are beautiful, strong, and clever, and you have the best cleavage in the room.”
Danny blinked and glanced at her neckline. Her breastsdidlook rather well against the silk. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“What about you?” Danny wouldn’t dwell on how she latched on to the need to accompany her sister as a means of cowardice.
Denise gave her a knowing look. “Iwill be fine. Perhaps I’ll go in search of someone more fun to play with.” Her gaze seemed to snag on someone across the room, her lips twitching up into a sly smile. “And I do believe I found the perfect partner, just returned home from finishing school.”
Danny glanced at where Lady Kendra—fair haired, porcelain skinned and vile-tongued bully—had accepted a dance from the Duke of Wemberly. “Please don’t engage the beast. She’s nearly forgotten I exist, and I enjoy the lack of insults and glares.”
Denise smirked, clearly not intending to listen. “Go on and dance.” She nodded in Percy’s direction. “He won’t say ‘no.’ No man has ever said ‘no’ to you.”
Percy isn’t like other men, Danny couldn’t help thinking.
“And if he does refuse...” Denise said, her gaze again lifting to the lady across the room.
Danny’s stomach clenched. “Denise!”
Her sister’s gaze returned, and she cocked a brow. “You’re a Deime.” Her smirk turned saucy. “Make sure he gives you a better offer.”
