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Chapter Ten
Carly
The orchestra begins playing an instrumental version of some popular pop song that I vaguely recognize and I tap my foot against the barstool as I sip my champagne. Couples in expensive clothing dance on the floor in front of us as Chance leans back against the bar, watching them. Some of them look like they are actually enjoying themselves but mostly, they all look bored to tears. When Chance glances over at me, he smiles and his eyes fill with affection as I shift nervously in my seat. He takes one last look out at the dance floor before turning to me and extending his hand.
“Dance with me?”
I arch a brow and my gaze flicks down to his hand. “You dance?”
“I guess you’ll just have to take my hand and find out.”
Taking his hand, I slip off my barstool and mutter, “This I can’t wait to see.”
With a cocky smirk on his face, he tucks my hand in the crook of his arm and leads me out amongst the other couples. As we get to the center of the dance floor, he spins me out and I squeal as he spins me back into his arms and wraps his arm around my waist. Pulling me in close, he kisses me and after a moment, I pull away with a smile on my face.
“Well, color me shocked. Any other hidden talents?”
“Oh, I’m full of surprises, Princess. But are you sure you want to know? This sounds an awful lot like you’re trying to get to know me.”
My lips purse and he starts laughing.
“Told you that you wouldn’t be able to resist me.”
“You know what, forget it,” I grumble, trying to pull away from him but he keeps a firm grip on my waist, holding me close to his body. I turn my gaze away from him, but he releases my hand and nudges my chin to guide my face back to his.
“It was seventh grade gym class and I had a huge crush on this girl. Her name was Sylvie and I thought she was perfect. For about two weeks, they made us learn how to dance and I just knew it was my chance to win her over, so I paid attention in class and even practiced at home.”
“Did it work? Did she go out with you?” I ask, more invested in his childhood crush than I should be, but it reminds me of a time when I thought everything would work out for me.
“Nope. Turned me down flat but you seem to like my moves, so I’d say it was worth it.”
I beam at him before remembering that I really shouldn’t and I drop my gaze to his chest. “Stop it,” I whisper, more to myself than to him but he hears me anyway.
“Afraid I can’t do that.”
My heartbeat stutters, like a scratched record, and a blush stains my cheeks. It’s insane how easily he can do this to me. With one simple compliment, he can turn my world upside down. Clearing my throat and stepping back, I meet his eyes and force a smile to my face. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you back at the bar,” he suggests, not at all phased by the internal conniption fit I’m throwing right now. Nodding, I retreat as quickly as possible, winding through the attractive couples dancing around us and as soon as I step into the hallway, I cut to the right and prop myself up against the wall. Pressing my hand to my warm cheek, I pull air into my lungs and try my best to not completely lose it in the middle of this fancy hotel. God, I can just imagine what my mother would say if she found me right now.
My mind drifts back to the ballroom a few moments ago and I smile, despite myself. How does he do this to me? I’m stronger than this or, at least, I was until I met him. No. I cannot be falling for this man but if he keeps this up, continues being this incredible every chance he gets, I’m afraid that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
No.
I can get a handle on this; I have to. There is no other option. One thing that I’ve always prided myself on was my determination. Even through the hell I went through when I was younger, I never let them win. They didn’t get to see how much they broke me and when my mother wanted me to drop out of college to find a “suitable” husband, I stood my ground and fought her until she relented. Chance Turner is not going to get the best of me. Try all he might, I will not let myself fall for him. No matter how perfect he seems.
Nodding to myself, I push off the wall and take another deep breath as I smooth my hands down my dress. After a few seconds, I feel more in control and I step out into the hallway and start making my way to the bathroom with my head held high. When I finish with my business, I study myself in the mirror – tucking a few stray hairs away as I remind myself not to give into his charms. Sex. That is the only thing I’m here for. Empowered, I step out into the hallway and I’m immediately greeted by the sound of a man yelling.
“She’s here with another man!”
A woman replies but her voice is too quiet to hear and I tilt my head to the side, staring down the hallway where the voices are coming from. I should really go back to the ballroom, but my curiosity gets the best of me and my feet start toward the noise instead of away. When I’m a few feet away from one of the service hallways, I freeze, my mother’s voice halting me in my tracks.
“Calm down. It’s nothing, I promise you that. She’s just trying to piss me off.”
“It damn well better be nothing,” the man from earlier snaps and I place my hand over my racing heart as I creep forward to get a peek. Oh, God, this is a bad idea, but I can’t stop myself. The hair on my arms stand on end and I’m not even sure that I want to know who my mother is speaking to, but I press on, as if I’m not even in control of my own body anymore. “Carly is going to be mine and I didn’t do all this so another man could have her.”
My eyes widen, my heart hammers in my ears, and I cover my mouth with my hand to hide my heavy breathing as I peek around the corner. I get a quick glance of the man in question before I pull back and sink into the little alcove with a large potted plant in the corner to eavesdrop without being caught.
Damian.
