Page 127 of Brazen Obsession

He goes back to swaying slowly and I risk a look up into his eyes instead of at his chest.

He smiles. “See, there’s the girl that wanted to dance but was afraid I’d say no. Which is odd if you ask me. Why would an apparent beauty think I wouldn’t want to dance with her? Or maybe you didn’t want to dance with a beast like me?”

“You’re stretching the metaphor a little far, aren’t you?” Somewhere I find a little bit of who I’ve been hiding away. Maybe it was his references to Beauty and the Beast, which is my all-time favorite fairy tale. “You’re hardly a beast and I don’t qualify as a beauty. But I appreciate you trying to make me feel part of the evening. I do enjoy dancing and your dancing is lovely.”

“Appearances can be deceiving.” His green eyes make my insides melt.

I stop as the music ends and changes to a new song.

“You’ve done your duty. I’ll tell your cousin you were an excellent dancer.” I smile because I need to get away from this man. Every inch of my body screams he’s dangerous. But there’s a part of me that wants him to keep me in his arms. It’s a part I haven’t felt in a really long time.

He lifts my hand to his lips and brushes a kiss over my knuckles. “My lady.”

Sparks dance down my arm. My lips part and his gaze falls on them before lifting to mine. For a second, we remain locked in that position, but then someone laughs as they dance past us.

He blinks and whatever I thought I saw disappears and in its place is coldness. Any warmth he had is gone as he glances at his surroundings. My heart stutters.

“I’ll escort you back.” He starts to wrap his arm around my waist.

“No. Thank you.” Pulling away, I turn my back on him. I need to get away from him. “I can find my own way back.”

Chapter 40

Engagement Completion Document

Sara

Dante holds me close on the dance floor. There’s no place I’d rather be. Hope joins the dancing with a guy that looks vaguely familiar. Maybe if he weren’t wearing a mask, it would be easier to place him.

“Why do I know him?” I say softly.

Dante turns to look where I’m looking. He smirks. “Because he was part of your rescue team.”

I squint at the guy in the darkness, but I can’t really make him out. That whole rescue was a blur. But I know the guys trust him, so that’s good.

Dante brushes his thumb against the small of my back and I return my attention to his eyes. He smiles. “I didn’t get to hold you like you’re mine the last time we danced.”

My cheeks flush with heat. Anticipation floods me. “No, you didn’t.”

He lowers his head to my ear. “Want to disappear for a little, pip? Find a quiet corner.”

My gaze meets his and the buzz of anticipation flows through my body. I nod.

He puts his arm around my waist to lead me off the dance floor. But we don’t make it five steps before we notice his uncle and the woman from the restaurant dancing. Unfortunately, his uncle notices us before we can sneak off.

David and his partner turn to us. The woman I saw dining with him smiles. She keeps her hand on his arm.

“Dante. I wasn’t expecting you to be here tonight.” David seems put out by our presence.

“Our company bought a table. It’s a good charity to donate to.” Dante is stiff against my side. We haven’t talked about his uncle since that dinner when his mother finally stood up for him.

David nods.

“I’m Sherry.” The woman holds her hand out to Dante. “Your uncle has nothing but good things to say about you.”

Dante takes her hand and shakes it. “This is my girlfriend, Sara.”

Sherry turns to me with a smile. “Sara Morris. David says you’re smart and beautiful and Dante is lucky to have you. I can see you’re beautiful. I wish I could pull off a dress like that. You look absolutely lovely.”