Jo Leigh – A Dash of Temptation (страница 10)

“It’s all numbers,” he said. “I don’t invest to lose money.”

“Of course not. I think you’ll find I’ve put together a solid proposal.”

He studied her more carefully. “I’ll give you my honest appraisal, Ms. Norton. That’s all I can promise.”

She smiled, and Dash knew she had him. “That’s all I ask.”

“We’ll be in touch.”

Dash slapped Cullen on the back. “Good to see you, Jim. I’m sure you’ll understand why I’m going to steal Tess away?”

“Lucky man.”

“I am that, also.”

Cullen laughed, then started searching for the breasts he’d found so appealing before their interruption.

Dash found Tess’s hand and led her back toward the dance floor. Once they were well clear of Cullen, she pulled him to a stop.

“Mr. Black.”

He frowned. “We’re back to Mr. Black?”

“All right, Dash. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but you didn’t need to do that.”

“Do what? Shake hands with an old friend?”

“I could have handled it myself.”

“I know. You were doing great. My intention wasn’t to interfere. Just to grease the wheels a bit.”

She looked at him with puzzled eyes. “I should be thrilled. I am thrilled. It’s just that…”

“You wanted to do this on your own.”

“Yes.”

“You did. You have. I’m just window dressing. If the man likes your proposal, it won’t have a thing to do with me. That’s not how Cullen works.”

“I suppose you’re right.”

“I am. However, I apologize. I should have kept my big nose out of your affairs.”

“No, no. That’s not—I mean, I’m glad. I don’t mind. Really. You were great.”

Dash caught sight of a small woman with big diamonds. In addition to the sparklers on her wrist and neck, she also had possession of one Brad Sunderland. Lacey Talbot had arrived, and in style, too, from what he could see. Her entourage surrounded her like secret service agents. Lacey turned his way, and her eyes widened as she spied his date. A second later, Brad had a similar reaction.

Dash smiled as he looked into Tess’s beautiful eyes. “Perhaps I can make it up to you,” he whispered. Then he pulled her into his arms and kissed her like there was no tomorrow.

5

WHEN DASH’S MOUTH suddenly claimed hers she gasped roughly into the kiss; a hot, sinfully skillful tongue filled her and stroked the arched, sensitive vault of her mouth. The rawness, the heat, the unexpected invasion of wet and breath made Tess want to cry out with pleasure, but the sound of her desire came out as a strangled cry.

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.”