Page 10 of A Game of Ruck
These are all big feelings she’s having, and I feel equally shocked and thrilled that I’m here to witness them.There’s just something about this woman.
I can’t shake the feeling like I’m supposed to be here, you know?With her.Right now.At this very moment.
Then I play back what she just said.
“Daniela?Works with Finley?”
I recognize the name of Finley’s Assistant.Nice woman.Does her job well.
“Yeah.She’s been my best friend since we were kids and when I told her about my problem, well, this was all her suggestion,” she says and winces.
Fuck.That expression?This woman is so goddamn cute.
“Okay, let me get this straight.Your best friend told you to go bid on a stranger at a charity gala so you could proposition him to be your fake date for a destination wedding?”
“Yup.And when you say it like that it makes me really wish a black hole would just open up and swallow me right about now,” she mumbles.
I move in closer.
Close enough to catch her scent—sweet and warm, like cinnamon and vanilla sugar—like she walked straight out of a bakery and into my life to tempt me to ruin.
Close enough to see the way her lashes flutter when she glances up at me, unsure if she should hold her ground or bolt.
Close enough to notice the little dimple that appears just at the corner of her mouth when she tries not to smile.
And hell, I want to taste it.
That dimple.That smile.The nerves clinging to her like perfume.
She’s not like any woman I’ve ever been around.
Not polished or pretentious.
Just real.
And right now, real is the sexiest damn thing I’ve ever seen.
“Don’t worry, Angel,” I say softly.“I got you.”
She blinks up at me, cheeks blotchy, lip wobbling just a little, and I know right then I’m fucked.
Because I want to kiss her.
I want to hold her.
I want to shove every one of her stupid, cruel cousins’ insults down their designer-throated necks.
“What?”she whispers.
“I’m saying, yes, I’ll go.I’ll charm the devil bride.I’ll flex.I’ll glower.I’ll even learn to dance if you ask really nice.”
A beat passes, and it’s so damn ripe with potential, then she grins, and I swear to God I forget how to breathe.
“Do you not know how to dance?”
“Absolutely not.”
She laughs.And God, it’s the best sound I’ve heard all night.
