Page 82 of Dex

I see Paul Knight, sitting at the table, surrounded by his sons.He watches the dance like a king surveying his empire.I’m sure he sees this as a victory, and then I remind myself that this is a victory for my father.A way for him to be well again, to have hope again, to have the business regain its previous status.

Cari smiles at me, and I sense that she feels for me.Maybe, with her woman’s intuition, she sees through the way I look at Dexter, the way I’m trying not to look at him, but can’t help it.

She’s probably been where I am, with a man who seems unreachable, hoping for something real.I smile back.We’ve barely exchanged many words, but I make a note to seek her out when I move to New York.I’ll need my allies there, when I’m living with Dexter.

Damn that evening when we went out for drinks.If he’d been the same person I met at the soiree, I would handle this better.I wouldn’t have had a peek into who he can be when he allows himself to open up and be vulnerable.

I venture a glance at him, to find his eyes on me.My heart jumps with joy, and gratitude, at the look he gives me.I remember him telling me he wasn’t interested in this alliance, that he wanted no part of it, but this look?This look says otherwise.

“Don’t stare at them.”He leans in again, and this time he nips my earlobe gently.My eyes widen in shock.A line of shock touches my breast, reaches between my legs.Leaves me wanting him.

“You bit me.”

“Wife, you’re so tempting.”

What is it with the wife?

He’s obviously loving the label, but I wonder if he’s playing with me again?We’re supposed to convince our guests, but now he’s taking it too far.

“Look at me, meu amor,” he orders.“Look at me like you want to kiss me again.”

My heart jolts, because of his term of endearment, and the way he says it and the way he looks at me.I can’t help but stare at his lips, thick and plump, and perfect for kissing.Lips too beautiful for a man.Lips that fit over mine so perfectly.Like they were made for that sole reason.

“You want it again, don’t you, Gatinha?”

Gatinha.Little kitten.

I let out a gasp, impressed, and excited.On edge.“You’ve been reading your tourist phrase book.I am impressed.”

“For you, meu amor.Anything.”

I look at him in confusion.He’s talking way more intimately than he needs to be.He doesn’t need to remind me of that kiss, or say these things to me, when we could just dance and be silent, and play the game.

We continue dancing and swaying, and keeping up the pretense but with every passing second it becomes harder to remember that this is merely an alliance,

I’m not sure why he’s doing this, going overboard and playing with my emotions.

“Careful, Dexter.”I crane my neck up at him and whisper directly into his ear.“Try not to get swept up in the occasion.You need to walk away from this untouched.”

“What makes you think I won’t?”He holds my gaze for longer than he should, and I’m in danger of being the one who won’t be able to do what I’ve just told him.

When the song ends, our hands linger.Neither of us lets go first.But then he steps away first, his expression composed, like a blank canvas.The guests erupt into applause.We walk back to our table and take our seats, but when I lean back against my chair, needing to ground myself and take a breath, Dexter lifts my hand and kisses the back of it.

Cheers break out, and our guests look at us, expectantly.

They believe this.

Even though it’s only a kiss on my hand.

“We need to give them more, Gatinha.”Dexter twists towards me, and his eyes hold my gaze.

“Why am I your little kitten?”I ask, curious.

He leans closer, so that our faces almost touching.A charge of excitement skitters up my arms.“I like the way the word sounds on my tongue.”

“Not because I’m cute and fluffy?”I’m conscious of his hand still in mine, but now he’s stroking it with his thumb.Shockwaves of pleasure ripple out over my skin.I press my thighs together because I need to get control of my senses.Of the way my body reacts to him.

“Nothing cute and fluffy about you.You’re all curves but toned.Just the way I like.”

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