Page 69 of The Boss

“You did.”

“How embarrassing. I snuck out of bed in the middle of the night, not bothering to heat it up.” I remembered something else about that night too. When I looked away, he reached over, immediately turning my head back to face him.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just remembered I wasn’t alone the entire time.”

He cocked his head. “Who was with you?”

“I don’t think you want to hear it.”

I was surprised when he laughed. “Leandro.”

“Yes. That doesn’t bother you?”

“The dude was always hungry. He was a big soccer star at that point. Thought he was wickedly cool.”

“He was nice enough but not my type.”

“You didn’t have a type. You were twelve.”

“Fair enough. I wasn’t into boys for a long time.”

He was full of surprises, brushing the same finger he’d just used around my lips. When he pulled the long digit into his mouth, I held my breath. The man was entirely too sensual for his own good. “I’m curious. When were you attracted to boys?”

My smile might have fessed up to the first of many sins. “I was never into boys. They’re far too childish. I was always into older men.”

Every action he took was either fueled by anger or by desire. As he pulled the wineglass to his lips, I found myself mesmerized by the simple action. As he slowly lowered the dense crystal, he offered a heated gaze much like he had two nights before. “Are you flirting with me, Ms. Winters?”

“What if I were?” It was impossible to stop wanting him. He had a way about him that was alarmingly alluring. When we’d been bickering earlier, all I’d been able to think about was kissing his soft lips for hours. I touched the bandage, looking down at it as if he’d given me a gift before lifting my gaze very slowly.

He tossed his napkin onto the table, pushing back his chair. As he stood, he held out his hand.

“What are you doing? Making some crazy announcement?”

His growl was low and throaty. “Something much better. Come with me.”

The sight of his eyes twinkling sparked another ember low in my core. I reached out, taking his hand, the electricity expected but colliding with my continued apprehension. His mood swings were difficult to predict let alone navigate. But as he pulled meaway from the table, his fingers firmly clasped around mine, I felt almost like a princess. A wash of peace fell over me as he led me through the crowd of diners.

There wasn’t a pair of eyes not capturing our advance. When he led me to the empty dance floor, a wash of embarrassment swept in, shoving aside the sweet relief I’d felt before.

“What are you doing?” I asked as he took me into his arms. He seemed surprised when I touched the light scar on his face. He was lucky I hadn’t put out his eye.

“What does it look like? We’re dancing?” He pulled my hand free, rolling his lips across my knuckles.

“Does it still hurt?”

His smirk was the one I adored, my entire body responding with a warm flush creeping up from the base of my breasts. “No. I’m tougher than that.”

“So you say. By the way, there’s no one else on the floor.”

“So what? That doesn’t change the fact I’m in the mood. And you?”

Being so close to him, almost certain I felt his thudding heart was as exciting as the man. “I’m always in the mood to dance.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He swung me around, his steps completely in time to the music. It wasn’t long before a group of customers gathered around the dance floor, all with drinks in their hands. Every being was watching us intently. Now I knew for certain we’d be tabloid news in the morning.

I couldn’t help myself, enjoying the soft strains of the guitar music as he guided me around the floor with expertise.

---