Page 28 of Seductive Nights

"Say it like you mean it."

"I did."

"Nah, I think you can do it better."

"Do you want to dance with me or not?"

He threw his head back and laughed. "Yes, yes, I would like to dance with you again."

"Thank you." She smiled.

"Thank you for making me laugh."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so curt."

He smiled as he stared into her eyes. "No, no, no, no. I'm getting used to you being curt. You don't seem to like me all that much sometimes."

"It's not that. Maybe someday we'll talk about that."

"Okay, maybe someday. That would be good."

They finished their dance. He stepped away slightly and bobbed his head to her. "Thank you for this dance. I look forward to the next one.”

He saw her swallow. Her lips twitched at the corners. He waited for a snappy response, but she turned and headed toward the bar. He stopped at the table, picked up the tray of glasses, looked at Carley, and winked.

And she laughed and clapped her hands. The sister liked him. That was good. He'd work with that.

16

Margo was having a wonderful time. These women made her feel good. They didn't blame her. They understood. Hanna shared a little bit about what Isaac had been doing while they were married, and she realized they had something in common that other people would never understand.

Not that she was happy that Hanna had gone through that. She was a perfectly lovely woman. But she had someone in her life who knew what it felt like to be betrayed by someone. Someone that you loved. Jace came back to the table with another set of drinks, and she thought she'd better slow down. But he was so handsome. And he was attentive. And Hanna and Grace just couldn't say enough nice stuff about him. And Carley, she was a fan.

The music changed again to a slow, sultry song. Who was it that sang this song? She would have to try to remember. The singer had a low, slow, sultry voice. She'd have to think of it. Jace smiled. "Are you having a good time?"

"I am. These ladies are fantastic."

"That they are." He set her fresh drink in front of her and took the empty glass that she had pushed aside.

She said, "Would you like to dance?"

He bowed low and held his hand out toward the dance area. "After you."

She stood. Knowing the other women were watching, she decided not to turn and look at them. As she stepped toward the dance area, Jace grabbed her hand and held it in his. They walked together to the dance area. When was the last time Logan had held her hand? It had been years. She caught a quick glimpse of the woman she assumed was Sierra, glaring at her as she turned slowly toward Jace and wrapped her arms around his neck. They danced slowly.

He pulled her body close to his. They hadn't danced this close before. But she liked it. She liked it a lot. And he smelled so good. Whatever aftershave he wore, it worked. It really worked for him. She could feel that he was toned and strong beneath his Hawaiian shirt. And he wasn't flirty like he had been before. And he didn't seem to like Sierra. That just made her even more happy. She would like anyone who didn't like Sierra at this moment. They swayed to the music slowly.

And before thinking, she said, "Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?"

He pulled his head back and looked at her for a long time. "Yeah. I'll have dinner with you."

"Thank you," she said.

He grinned, "How about if I pick you up at your house at, say, six o'clock?"

"Yes. I'd like that."

"Okay, six it is."

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