some cleanup needed in the cellar,” he told Julien.
“Right away, sir. You’ll be joining us?”
“Not this time. Can you find Madeline and ask her to stand in?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Julien.”
Shane followed Darci up the staircase. Her sparkling gold silk dress dipped to a low vee at the back, giving him a marvelous view. It outlined her trim figure and clung enticingly to her backside. He was sorry when they got to the top of the stairs.
He touched his hand to the small of her back, guiding her through the hall to the great room, where the music was already playing. People greeted him constantly, and he gave them each a casual hello but kept steadily moving. The music enveloped the two of them as they passed through the archway.
He ditched their wineglasses and led her onto the dance floor. There, he turned her into his arms.
The silk of her dress was supple and warm. Her hand was small in his. And their thighs brushed enticingly with the rhythm of the music.
They’d barely begun, and the song ended.
“That doesn’t count,” he rumbled in her ear.
“Are you making up the rules?” There was a smile in her voice.
He drew back to gaze at her. “My house, my rules.”
Happily, the next song was also a waltz. If he’d known he was going to meet Darci tonight, he’d have vetted the DJ’s entire playlist.
“You’re an autocrat?” she asked.
“Rarely.”
She settled back into his arms, smoothly following his lead. “At Colborn Aerospace. Are you in charge of everything?”
“Technically, yes.”
“Are you a tyrannical boss?”
He couldn’t help but smile at that. “I’d say no. But probably every tyrannical boss in the world would tell you no, so you’ll have to ask my staff.”
Her glance darted around the dance floor. “Are any of them here?”
“A few of the senior managers. You want me to introduce you?”
“No.” Her answer was quick and decisive.
“You don’t want to ask them about me?”
“I don’t care that much.”
“Okay.”
“I’m making up my own mind.”
He wanted that, he realized. He really wanted this woman to have a chance to make up her own mind about him. He found himself gathering her closer.
She resisted at first, going stiff in his arms.
But he persisted, and she eventually relaxed again. Her body softened against his, her curves molding to his angles. He drew their joined hands in close to their bodies, shifting his other palm higher, to the bare skin of her back. Their movements synced, and he couldn’t seem to keep his mind from wandering to a happy conclusion.
He wanted Darci Lake, wanted her very badly. He brought his cheek to her hair, inhaling a subtle scent of citrus. Her breasts had come up against his chest. Their thighs were touching, shifting together with every beat.
He gave in to temptation and kissed her hairline, whispering close to her ear. “I want you to stay tonight.”
She drew back in a shot, her striking green eyes blinking. She looked truly horrified, and he could have kicked himself.
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