Page 6 of The Bride's Billionaire

He paused. “Unless you’re sick of me?”

She shook her head, and his skin thrilled as she trailed her hands up his chest and rested them on his shoulders. “I’m not sick of you.” Her eyes widened, and he wanted to dip her down low and cradle her in his arms. But they were trapped. “You ready for this?”

“Sure. For what?”

“I love that.”

“What?”

“Whenever I ask if you’re game for something, your first response is yes. I’ve never met a stronger yes person than you.”

She lifted a shoulder. “You’re the same.”

“Maybe.” He looked around for the best opening. “This is maybe gonna be a little uncomfortable, but the only way out is through.”

She followed his gaze and then nodded. “Okay, after you.”

“I think we’ll do it together.” He turned her around in front of him but kept her back pressed up against him; then he wrapped his arms around her front and began to push through the crowds. This was just the Brazilian way. A little shared body space never bothered them.

At last, they were in the hallway, where the air was considerably cooler. He reached for some napkins while they passed a waitress stand. “Here.”

They both dabbed their faces and then grabbed some mints on the way out.

He needed a breather, some space. His interest in the lovely Kayla had just amped up, like, ten levels, from fun, harmless tourist to dangerous temptress woman, and she was likely completely unaware.

Watching her exuberant smile, her laughing with a passing group, heknewshe was unaware. Maybe she hadn’t been as affected as he had by their close proximity? He swallowed.

She sidled up next to him and reached for his hand. “Where to?”

He dipped his chin, staring into her wide, beautiful blue eyes. Then he tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “Should we just walk for a minute?” His eyes studied her face, her beautiful skin, and travelled to her lips, slightly parted, full, pink. Then he shook his head. “Yes, let’s walk.”

She nodded, slowly, her eyes darkening, gaze travelling over his face. Okay, so, she’d obviously been at least a little affected. His smile grew before her could stop it.

She cleared her throat and stepped away. “This way?” She tugged on his hand, and they started to move. After the breeze cooled them off, and the people around them laughed and joked with them, he felt his normal equilibrium returning. “So I’m thinking we just see what grabs us.”

“Pardon me?”

“Well, sure. There’s always something to do in this city. Let’s see what grabs us first.” They walked on one of the busiest streets in all of Rio, and he knew it wouldn’t be long before something completely fascinating would grab their eyes.

She shrugged. “Okay. The cool breeze is nice.”

“Yes, I needed to cool off a little bit.”

Her eyes flicked up to his, and her small smile told him she understood. She squeezed his hand.

For the first time tonight, he wondered if it was wise to spend time with such a fascinating woman. It might be the best date of his life, and that was great...until he started to wonder if it also might be their last.

Chapter 3

Kayla swung her hand in Tyler’s gently. She found Brazilian nightlife fascinating, fun, full of energy, and the man beside her even more so. She didn’t think she’d ever had a more sensual dance with anyone, and she guessed it wasn’t just the samba. Tyler was right. They were in synch with each other.

The breeze flowed up and around her, cooling, refreshing, while her hand in his warmed with the heat of promise. The friction of their skin with each sway and swing of their arms sent excited tingles up her arm. Being pressed up against him had ignited something in her that as yet remained unquenched.

Up ahead, limos were dropping guests off at an event. She tipped her head to see the top of a tall, fancy hotel.

“You thinking what I’m thinking?”

She widened her eyes, trying to guess what he was thinking. “Um.”

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