Page 5 of Wicked Rush

“Ol’ blue eyes.” He smiled.

“Like yours.” The words fell off her lips before she had a chance to stop them. Her nipples strained against the silk, and even though she knew he’d see the physical evidence of her desire, she made no move to leave. She closed her eyes, the heat rushing to her cheeks. Holy hell, Brae, you sound like a schoolgirl. You need to walk away now. You’re going to fuck this up. “Mr. Elliott…”

“We’re back to that again, are we?” Lars laughed and spun them in a gentle circle. “Here’s the thing, doctor. I have questions.”

“I already talked to the police.”

“Yeah, I heard.”

“Did you go to them?” He knows all about me. Her pulse raced in fear as her arousal faded.

“You sound surprised.”

“I can’t tell you anything.” Braelynn tried to pull out of his embrace but he held her tight.

“Listen to me very carefully, Doctor.” The music continued to blare as he stopped dancing, his eyes locked on hers. “With or without you, I will get answers. You may have been the one who ended up in the hospital, but the party you brought to the beach that day could have killed Seth or me.”

“This isn’t my fault.” Her eyes darted over to Shane, who glared.

“I didn’t say it was, but your behavior isn’t what I’d call consistent. There’re too many holes in the story.” Lars slowly started moving again, brushing his cheek to her ear. “You almost died. You told me, ‘help me, Lars’. Now why is that?”

“I…I don’t remember.” Goddammit, she didn’t recall calling him by his name.

“That may very well be true but I think I at least deserve a few minutes of your time to talk.”

“We are talking.”

“Alone.”

“Lars…” His warm breath on her neck sent tingles over her skin, and she sucked a small breath.

“That’s it. I knew you’d say my name again.” He retreated and gave her a wink. “Dinner. Alone. Tomorrow night.”

“I can’t possibly do that.” Braelynn spied Shane struggling to leave a conversation with a chatty client.

“Why not?”

“You don’t know what you’re asking me to do. You’re going to put us in danger.” Braelynn’s eyes darted to her uncle, who made a beeline toward them.

“Tomorrow night. We can do this in secret or in the open but you owe me at least an hour of your time.”

“I said I can’t. Please.” Braelynn yanked her hand out of his, her eyes widening in terror. She didn’t want him to get hurt.

“Tell me. Did you happen to lose a key that day on the beach?” he asked, a lilt of mischief in his tone.

“What did you just say?” Braelynn’s stomach clenched at the mention of the object she’d lost. Although she’d wanted nothing more than to go search the beach, she’d decided it wasn’t worth the trouble. They were watching her, and if she’d managed by some grace of God to actually find it, they might catch her.

“A key.” He gave a sly smile, cocking an eyebrow at her. “Lose one, did you?”

“Keep your voice down,” she whispered. Taking his hand, she pulled him close. “Keep dancing.”

“Braelynn, if you need…”

“I’m going to walk away in exactly five seconds, so let me finish. I’m meeting a friend tomorrow for dinner in Mission Beach. I’ll meet you at the roller coaster at eight. Don’t be late. If I don’t see you, I’m gone.” Braelynn allowed her lips to brush his ear, and she closed her eyes, wishing she could stay in his arms all night. But it was much too dangerous to speak to Lars even one second longer. She held his gaze for a moment, then releasing him, she turned on her heels and spun away, striding across the dance floor.

“Darling,” her uncle cooed as he approached Braelynn.

“Mr. Giordano. The party is a success. Have you raised a lot of money this evening?” Nausea rose in her throat at the trill of his voice, yet she forced a bright smile.