Page 4 of Watch Me

I can’t put my finger on why she has me so captivated. Of course, she’s stunning, but I’ve been with beautiful women before. Lots of them. This...this is different. Somehow, she’s awakened a hunger I’ve never felt. And until I figure out why, I’m going to pursue her full-throttle.

“Mamá, enough. Tonight is about having fun,” I cajole, twirling my mother toward the bar.

As we pass the elegant chair where Shanna sits alone, I catch a whiff of her perfume—something light and floral with an undercurrent of musk. It takes every ounce of my self-control not to touch her.

Instead, I procure a drink for Mamá. When I’m sure she’s distracted, I make my way to the table with the dancers’ cards.

Resolutely, I fill them out, writing my name in every empty slot on Shanna’s. It’s impulsive and a bit extravagant. But I’m determined to have her.

As I hand over my credit card to pay for the dances, I wonder… Will she reject me again?

I glance Shanna’s way. Her gaze snags on mine. My heart lurches. I don’t care what she says. I intend to charm her, seduce her—whatever it takes—until I know why this woman has me so thoroughly intrigued.

With my plan in motion, I sidle close to my mother again. Smiling, I hand her a schedule of her dance partners for the evening.

As she scans the list, her eyes flare wide. “Alejandro! You spend too much money on an old woman. I do not need to dance so much.”

I hate that, until my father left us—and took his billions with him—he belittled Mamá until she stifled her own needs andmade herself small. If the bastard was still alive, I’d tongue-lash him until he groveled at her feet.

“Mamá, you’re barely fifty, and you’re still a beautiful woman,” I insist, kissing her cheek. “It’s only money, and I have plenty of it. Enjoy yourself. You deserve it.”

She eyes me suspiciously. “And what will you be doing while I dance?”

I can’t help the slow smile that spreads across my face. “I’ll be enjoying myself, too.”

My gaze catches Shanna’s once more. My mother is too observant not to notice.

As if on cue, the emcee announces the start of the charity dances. I guide Mamá to her first partner, a distinguished gentleman—and former champion—who looks thrilled to have her on his arm. With a final wave, I paste on a smile and turn my attention to my true goal for the evening.

By the time tonight is through, Shanna will be mine.

3

Shanna

The event’s emcee announces the beginning of the charity dances, and I poise myself in a chair, plastic smile in place, at the edge of the ballroom.

People around me are pairing up for the first of the dances, names and smiles being exchanged. I smooth my hair in place. That twisting of my stomach is not a pang of hurt. I’m sorry that the charity loses out if no one bids on my dances, but I can’t help if people believe stupid gossip. On a bright note, sitting back will give me an opportunity to observe my competition, since most of the competitive dancers are here…just in case Kristoff and I still have a chance to win.

Tomorrow, I’ll get to the bottom of that shocking video. I’m not giving up on years of hard work and my dreams of being a champion without a fight.

“I believe this dance is mine.”

That deep voice startles me. My gaze bounces up. My heart stops at his incredibly handsome face. Strong features, burning hazel eyes, heavy five-o’clock shadow, perfectly tailored gray suitwith a vavoom red tie. He has a killer smile and sin written all over him.

Alejandro Diaz. I should have guessed a man as insistent as he’s been wouldn’t accept my first refusal.

“Have we met?” I don’t dare let on that I not only remember him, but I’ve thought about him. He’ll only get more determined.

He smiles, all dazzling charm, oozing Latin charisma and hot sex. “Three months ago. The Bartolino Foundation thing.”

That night rushes through my head, heating my body. He flirted outrageously, whispering shocking, hot suggestions as he tangoed me around the dance floor. At the end of the night, he asked me out…while trying to seduce me. Even being near him made me startlingly dizzy, complete with revving heartbeat. Nothing has changed.

That’s terrifying.

When I have to bring a date to a social occasion—the only time I go out—I choose safe men who are too busy with their own work to be demanding and too dull to keep my interest for more than an evening. I’ve refused every would-be lover for the past two years without a single regret. But Alejandro is beyond tempting. The man might as well have the wordDistractiontattooed on his forehead.

I don’t have time for a relationship.

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