Michelle Celmer – Once Upon A Kiss...: The Cinderella Act / Princess in the Making / Temporarily His Princess (страница 17)
“Do head around to the tent and enjoy some drinks. Henry’s madcap festivities will be starting soon but we need everyone a little tipsy first.”
“Happy anniversary, Jessica.” Sinclair smiled. Then he took Annie’s arm again and led her along a path lit with glowing lanterns toward the rear of the house. Strains of music floated on the air, mingling with the tinkle of polite laughter. “She’s an old friend of my mom’s,” Sinclair murmured, once they were out of earshot.
“Thanks for not introducing me as your housekeeper. Though I don’t know why that would be embarrassing, since it is my job after all.”
“You’re not here as my housekeeper. You’re here as my date.” He gave her a stern look. She wasn’t sure whether to take it seriously. Was this a date with the Annie who’d writhed on the spare bed with him, or the one who was under orders to pretend it had never happened? His arm linked with hers felt proprietary, like he was taking charge of the situation, which was fine with her. She never felt Sinclair would try to take advantage of her.
What a shame.
A waiter swept toward them with a tray of champagne glasses. Sinclair took one and handed it to her. The glass was cold against her hand, in sharp contrast to her hot skin. People swirled around them on the large terrace. Hanging lanterns illuminated the night enough for them to make each other out, but the garden beyond was cloaked in velvety darkness. The unknown. A band, tucked away somewhere, launched into a swingy jazz number that made the very air throb with anticipation.
She took the tiniest sip of her champagne, and the bubbles tickled her tongue. Sinclair took a manlier drink from his glass. Muted light played across his hard features. His eyes glittered, dark and unreadable, as they rested on her face.
“I’ve never seen a woman look more radiant, Annie.” He spoke plainly, with no hint of joking or exaggeration.
Her bodice suddenly felt tight as her chest swelled. “I don’t think I’ve seen a man look more handsome.” She tried to laugh off his comment with an offhand one of her own.
But Sinclair didn’t even seem to notice what she said. He frowned. “Why do you hide your beauty?”
“I don’t hide anything. You see me every day, or at least when you’re out at the house. I’m hardly wearing a mask. That’s the real me. This is the one that Vicki decorated for the party.”
He took a sip of his champagne. “You’re right, of course. And in fact, I think you’re even more beautiful when you’re not dressed up like a visiting princess.” His words sank in and her breath stuck in her throat. “It’s refreshing to see someone who isn’t afraid to be her natural self and not try to enhance something that’s already lovely.”
She blinked. “I’m sure the folks at L.L. Bean will be glad to hear that.” She managed a smile. “I bet they’d hate to hear I was abandoning my familiar khakis and Oxford shirts for vintage prom dresses.”
“Then I’m with them. I like the authentic Annie.”
“Your mom didn’t think I’d fit in these dresses. I think the general consensus is that my usual look makes me appear shapeless.”
“I heartily disagree, but on the other hand it does leave something to the imagination.” A tiny smile crossed his mouth. “And some surprises to discover.”
Was he flirting with her? It certainly felt like flirting, not that she had much experience to rely on.
“I think you’ve discovered most of my surprises.” There, she’d said it. She’d been burning to bring up that afternoon. There was no way she could get through this night pretending it had never happened.
“I doubt that very much.” His gaze lingered on hers for a moment, heating her blood. “In fact I feel confident that I only scratched the surface.”
The silence thickened with the suggestion that he’d like to return for another journey of discovery. Annie sucked in a breath, which wasn’t easy in her tight bodice. She’d certainly be up for a voyage into the dark and mysterious lands of Sinclair, but only if it wasn’t another accident. She wasn’t sure she could handle trying to pretend something like that never happened again.
On the other hand, if it was mutually desired, and mutually agreed upon …
She sipped her champagne and the bubbles tickled the tip of her tongue again. “What kind of activities do they have planned for tonight?”
“Are you nervous?” Humor shone in his eyes.
“A little. Especially since they want us half-cocked before we start. That sounds rather dangerous.”
“I promise I’ll protect you.” He raised his glass and sipped, looking at her steadily over the rim.
A sense of clear and present danger swelled in the air. “It’s entirely possible that you’re exactly what I need protecting from. After all, we didn’t need too much encouragement that one time.”
His gaze darkened slightly. “True. Tonight I’ll be a gentleman if it kills me.”
“Shame.” She said it boldly, not wanting him to think she wasn’t interested. She’d already gone out on a limb, so why not keep going until it snapped? Maybe the champagne was making her reckless.
A smile played around his eyes, crinkling the skin in that way she found so adorable. “If you don’t want me to be a gentleman, I’m sure that can also be arranged.”
“Good. I think I’d prefer a dashing rake.” Now she was flirting.
“Is that so? In that case, let’s top off your champagne so I can more easily take advantage of you.” He gestured to a passing waiter, who readily obliged. How had she drunk more than half a glass already?
“Sinclair, how did you sneak past me? I’ve been lying in wait for you all night.” A tall brunette materialized out of the night air and breathed in his ear. “Your mother told me you’re in town for the summer. I do hope you’ll have time to come out on my new yacht.”
“Dara, this is Annie, Annie, Dara.” Annie thrust out a hand so that at least one of them couldn’t be accused of rudeness. Dara had barely glanced at her. Now she reluctantly gave her a limp handshake. At least Annie didn’t recognize her from any social events at the house. “I’m going to be very busy this summer. Annie has me all tied up.” He spoke with a straight face, but a hint of suggestion in his voice.
Dara’s mouth opened like a fish. “Really.” She took a longer look at Annie. “Well, if you change your mind.” She flounced off, looking distinctly irritated.
“That was fun.” Sinclair sipped his champagne and surveyed her with narrowed eyes.
“You’re naughty.”
“And enjoying it. Let’s dance.”
It wasn’t a question. His sudden, sturdy grip around her waist swept her toward a wooden dance floor set up under an elegant canopy on the lawn. They moved through a crowd of laughing, chatting people, and handed their glasses to one of the many waiters before climbing onto the dance floor just as a song was ending. The band was a big jazz ensemble with a stunning singer. “Oh, my God, is that Natalie Cole?”
“Probably.”
Laughing, Annie let him pull her into his arms as the singer started into a sultry number about a broken heart. He wound one hand firmly around her and took her hand with the other, and pulled her into a dance. Her feet followed his effortlessly, as if she already knew the steps. The thundering drumbeat and mellow pulse of the saxophone flowed through her, drawing her around the dance floor as if she did this every day. She could feel the smile glowing on her face as Sinclair twirled her through the crowds, her long dress flying out around her. His gaze stayed fixed on hers the whole time, capturing her attention and daring her to look away.
Her breaths came faster and faster as the pace of the song picked up and they swept across the floor with bold dance steps. Sinclair’s muscular hands guided her, making her feel pliable and athletic, almost fluid, moving in time to the music.
The singer launched into an impassioned plea to her lover, begging him to come back and make her whole. Annie let herself ride on the wave of emotion her voice created among the dancers. Her heart seemed to pound in time with the bold blasts from the trumpet as the song rose to a crescendo and Sinclair held her tighter against his chest.
Their faces grew closer, gazes still locked in a mute challenge. He was taller than her, but if he leaned down he could kiss her right on the lips.
Her mouth started to quiver in anticipation. Surely he couldn’t tantalize her like this and not kiss her? Her entire body felt alive with desire for him, her nipples pressing relentlessly against the tight bodice of her dress. The song ended with a sudden flourish and she waited in an agony of excitement for his lips to touch hers.
But they didn’t.
He pulled back from her, shoved a hand through his hair and glanced across the dance floor. Annie stood there stunned. The flowing motion had ceased so abruptly that she felt like a fish suddenly thrown up on dry sand, wondering what happened. Blinking, she stepped back, trying to regain her composure. She bumped into someone and had to turn and apologize. When she turned back, Sinclair was staring into the distance with a face like honed granite.
“What is it?” She had to say something, if only to reassure herself that she still had the power of speech.