Page 49 of When Hearts Awaken

My inner voice titters.Someone is jealous, huh?

Ack! Lochness Monster, go away!

His commanding presence draws the attention of everyone in the ten foot radius and more people join his little ménage and I roll my eyes. Then Ainsley and one of the little ballerinas walk up to him, both with hearts in their eyes. The little girl, still dressed in her tutu, waves to Charles and he chuckles, his eyes lighting up before he squats down and drops his ear by her lips, giving her all of his attention. My heart spasms at the scene before me.He’d make a wonderful dad someday.Another thought that comes from nowhere.

It has to be the effects of a wedding. Strange things happen at weddings.

That has to be it.

The little girl whispers something to him and he looks at Ainsley, who points to someone in the crowd.

Apparently getting permission from whoever she’s pointing to, Charles sweeps the little girl up in his arms and twirls her around as she squeals in glee. I swear I can hear the ovaries of the women nearby exploding.

I tamp down the funny sensations in my gut and press my lips together in distaste.Fucking showoff.

“He’s someone I prefer not to be associated with, to put it mildly,” I answer Olivia. “What you see isnotwhat you get with him. You should make him a case study. This,” I wave a finger in his direction, “is a show he’s putting on for the public. He’s arrogant, opinionated, condescending, faker than a knockoff bag they sell on street corners, horrible—”

“Hm.” A few long seconds of silence follow.

I frown and turn to her. “What?”

She arches her brow. “Oh—just that you’re quite worked up over someone you don’t like.”

“Well, you won’t like him if you know him too. And don’t they say hatred is a strong emotion?” I glare at the golden prince and his gaggle of women.

Olivia chuckles. “They also say there’s a fine line between—”

“Don’t you dare say it!” My mouth drops open in horror and I shudder. Absolutely no way would I entertain any emotion of that nature toward him.

The music changes from a hip-hop song to something sexy and sultry—a song more suited for the tango and couples walk back to the dance floor.

I groan and stare forlornly at ladies in their glittering dresses, accompanied by their sharply dressed partners—I missed my chance to work out my jitteriness on the dance floor.

Suddenly, the air shifts, and I smell the intoxicating scent of cedarwood and bergamot. The hairs on the back of my neck rise to attention, and I feel a column of heat behind me. I close my eyes and brace myself for his taunting, raspy voice.

“Can’t find a partner, minx?”

Chapter 23

The unmistakable melody ofGerardo Matos Rodriguez’s “La Cumparsita” sweeps into the dance floor, tantalizing all the senses with its sharp pauses and intense sexiness. There’s a reason this piece is nicknamed the anthem of tango. As soon as I heard the first strains of the music, I excused myself from the women to go to the restroom before I get looped into an unwanted dance.

They were all daughters or sisters of financiers and business partners, and I didn’t want to offend them, but to say their advances were not appreciated would be an understatement. My jaw ached from smiling too much. But then, as I left the group, my gaze swept over the dance floor and I saw her.

My minx standing at the edge, fiery in her deep red dress and dark makeup, her arms crossed over her chest again. A temptress staring at the ruins burning at her feet.

But she had that damn look in her eyes again—hollow, like she was marooned on an island somewhere with no hope of rescue.

And obviously, I’m a masochist tonight because I thought it’d be a great idea to burn myself alive.

“Can’t find a partner, minx?” I murmur, striding up to her.

She closes her eyes. Her throat ripples and I see a slight tremor in her body and heat sparks in my gut. She’s not immune to this insanity between us.

“Go away, Charles. Even if I wanted a partner, it wouldn’t be you.” Her eyes are still closed like she’s determined not to give me her full attention.

“I wasn’t aware I was asking. I was just pointing out an observation.”

A frustrated growl tears from her lips and my lips twitch in a smile. Riling her up may be the best part of my night so far.

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