A Dash of Temptation

Oh, God—a rush of flame drove through every nerve in her body, down and farther down, until she was in danger of falling, weak and smoking, where she stood.

A flash of light behind her closed eyelids, and then it was over. She was back in the ballroom, standing beside him while the music still played, and laughter mixed with the clink of crystal sprinkled the air.

A man with a camera stood just behind Dash, and she made sense of the flash of light. She’d thought…well, that was silly. The reporter looked pleased, but Dash certainly didn’t. In fact, Dash looked shocked as hell. Had he felt that…that whatever it was, too?

He pulled her into his arms again, holding her tight as he moved deeper into the crowd on the dance floor. The music was familiar, and if she took just a moment she’d figure out the piece, but then Dash leaned close, his warm breath on her ear making her shiver.

“Did you feel that?” he whispered.

“What?”

“The earth moved. The angels wept.”

She smiled as heat filled her cheeks. “Oh, that.”

He slowed his movements, and when he pressed up against her she could feel the heat of his erection. This time she didn’t back away. At least, not so quickly. It felt wickedly wonderful to have such proof of his attraction to her. Her. Tess Norton, a nobody from nowhere.

The thought brought with it an awareness of how out of her element she was. An interloper with grand designs. The sudden switch in mood jarred her. She’d been so happy seconds ago. Dash turned her slowly, and when she caught sight of a perfectly coifed blonde, she understood more than just her reason for her unease. Lacey and Brad danced not ten feet away.

She watched them together until Brad turned in her direction. Averting her gaze, she lost her footing and stumbled, but Dash was there to catch her.

“Sorry.”

“It’s all right.”

“And thank you.”

He leaned back and looked at her questioningly. “For what?”

“The kiss. I just saw Brad and Lacey.”

“Ah. They’re a pair, aren’t they? Such love and compassion for their fellow men. Always willing to lend a hand to the less fortunate.”

“They are pretty snooty.”

His brow arched. “Snooty? I suppose that’s as good a description as any.”

“Give me another drink, and I’ll get much more vivid.”

“I think I’d like to see you drunk.”

“It’s not pretty. I get very gregarious.”

“Oh?”

“Not dancing on tabletops gregarious. Just real friendly.”

“I like it more and more.”

“Of course, I do have a tendency to fall asleep.”

“Okay, scratch the bottle of scotch I was going to buy.”

She grinned, but it didn’t linger. Lacey came into view again, and this time, she was staring. Tess jerked her gaze back to Dash. “She hates me, you know.”

“Hate? Isn’t that pretty strong?”

Tess shook her head. “I don’t think so. She’s been quite ugly to me.”

He moved her hand to his shoulder, then touched her cheek. “She’s not a nice woman,” he said, “and the best thing you could do is stay away from her.”

“I try. But I still don’t understand it. I never did anything to her.”

“You didn’t need to. You’re attractive as hell and you’re on her turf.”

Tess squeezed his hand, but she didn’t want to talk about this anymore. She was nervous enough without having to worry about Lacey. “You dance beautifully.”

“Thank you. It’s easy when my partner feels so good in my arms.”

“You’re even better at that.”

“At what?”

“You know. No wonder the ladies all love you.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Look, I’m flattered, but, you don’t have to…”

“I don’t have to what?”

“Seduce me.”

“You think that’s what I’m doing?”

Heat rushed to her cheeks. “Oh, God, I hope so.”

He laughed out loud. “Can you blame me? God, Tess, you’re a breath of fresh air.”

She smiled, even if there was a twinge of something at the back of her mind. The music stopped and the moment passed. Dash led her toward the edge of the room where small tables had been set up. Waiters and waitresses passed around hors d’oeuvres, and it hit her that she was starving. She’d been so nervous all day, she’d barely had a bite.