he knew how gorgeous he looked too, because he was using his magnetism to manipulate me into spending more time with him.
“Boundaries,” I said firmly. “What does that word mean to you?”
“In what respect?”
“You broke into my hotel room and stole my suitcase.”
He came closer. “I believe it was the concierge.”
“Under your orders.”
And he’d tracked down Gabe at UCLA. Seriously, did he expect me to forget that?
“Zara, dance with me.”
“How did you know I’d be here?”
“I could say the same.”
“The artist is one of Gabe’s students.”
Tobias gave a mischievous smirk. “Don’t force me to dance with Professor Anderson.”
“I’m sure you’ll find someone who’ll fall for your charm.”
“Yesterday, I should have explained myself better.”
I placed my hands on my hips and waited for him to finish his thought.
His frown deepened. “One dance. Or...”
“Or what?”
“Don’t tempt me with refusing, Leighton.” He arched an amused brow. “Or there will be consequences.”
“In what way?”
“I’m still a client of Huntly Pierre. Do it for them. You can always think of England.” He winked.
I relented with a nod and when his hand rested on the lower curve of my spine, I resisted the desire to close my eyes and lean into him as though there was no tension between us. Tobias guided me into a cocktail lounge and led me toward the small crowd slow dancing to Nina Simone, her sultry tones setting the scene for romance.
He pulled me into a hug. “It’s good to see you.”
I let Tobias take the lead as I rested my right hand on his shoulder, my left sliding against his right palm, his fingers closing around mine. The way his body crushed against me felt deceptively good and caused my body to tingle deliciously. My nipples further betrayed me by hardening in response to his provocative cologne.
“I think this might be my all-time favorite gallery,” I said.
“What about The Wilder?”
“What about it?”
“I suppose I deserve that.”
I dragged my teeth over my bottom lip to tease him and there came a rush of exhilaration when his pupils dilated with arousal revealing I was having the same effect on him. He waltzed me around and we fit together annoyingly well.
Why couldn’t this be us? Two lovers enjoying a romantic evening without the looming inevitability of this ending badly.
“Zara, you’re intoxicating.” He gave a heart-stopping grin.
“Don’t!” I wasn’t falling for his flattery.
He spun me around and my feet became light as he whisked me along with a smooth glide. He yanked me against his firm chest and then stilled, his mouth lingering perilously close to mine. Our eyes locked on each other as the world fell away. Those specks of gold in his green irises were hypnotic.
His grip tightened. “How’s the Sofitel?”
Adrenaline surged through me. “Lovely.”
He nuzzled close to my ear. “I’m glad you came.”
I leaned back to see him better. “Tell me how to get through to you?”
He tipped me backward and held me suspended in a scooped pose low in his arms as he leaned forward to whisper, “Tell me you want me.”
“Everyone’s watching.”
“Say it.”
“Let me up.”
“Say it first.”
“Tobias, I’m serious.”
“Not until you say it.” His mouth brushed mine.
I nipped his lower lip and he let out a moan of pleasure and flipped me up and yanked my body to his again, his hardness digging in to my lower stomach.
He arched an amused brow. “Now we’re going to have to dance until my dignity returns. I blame you.”
A rush of desire at being in his arms again flooded through me. I was fast becoming drunk with arousal from the way he was holding me so masterfully.
My words spilled out in a flurry. “Mr. Wilder, you misled me—”
“No, Zara.”
“If you care about me you’ll not taunt me like this.”
“Of course I care about you.”
“What is this?”
“I’m forgiving you.”
“What for?”
He looked surprised. “Your sneak attack on me tonight. I’m completely defenseless against you.”
“I have to get back to Gabe.”
“Can I take you out to dinner?”
“So you can send me out of the country again?”
“Technically, you never left.”
“You’re impossible.”
“I will have you again,” he said with an edge of danger. “I know you want that too.”
The room was spinning.
Tobias’s glare fixed on me fiercely as though he needed to see I wanted this. These were the words I’d craved to hear but I was past being led astray. I looked over his shoulder so I could access these remnants of strength that were evading me.
“Zara, you misjudged me. Let me prove it to you.”
No, and my anguished expression told him that. “Let me go.”
And let me go...
He stepped back. “Let’s talk at least.”
I raised my chin high, pretending he had no effect on me. He went to say something but instead he quickly broke my glare.
“I can find my own way.”
