Page 32 of Erik's Salvation
CHAPTER10
It was rare that Hannah underestimated a person. Overestimated? Of course. She was constantly looking for the good in those around her, even when there were barely crumbs. On this occasion, though, she’d definitely underestimated Marco. Over the last hour, the man had proved he wasn’t just a pretty face with a nice car. He had a sense of humor. Charm. And when she spoke, he looked at her like he was really listening.
She wasn’t attracted to him, but it was nice to laugh and drink with a good-looking, charismatic man. Especially one who didn’t go hot and cold on her all the time. And now, a warm hum had settled in her veins, thanks to the vodka sodas she’d consumed.
“You look deep in your thoughts,cara.”
Her gaze flashed to the man beside her. He’d been calling her that a lot.
“A bad habit of mine.”
“You’ve barely touched your drink.”
She laughed. It was both too loud and completely out of proportion to the question. “I’ve already had four. If I drink any more, you’ll have to carry me out of here.”
Fortunately, she’d downed a bunch of nuts and pretzels, and checked her blood sugar, so at least she didn’t have to worry about that.
“Don’t tease me,cara.”
Was it the Italian in him that made him so unafraid to speak his mind?
She set her chin on her hand, the man almost blurring at the quick movement. Yeah, she’d definitely had enough to drink. “Do you always have a comeback designed to make women want you?”
“Not just women,” Henry said under his breath, though she heard him clearly. It wasn’t just Hannah who’d drunk too much.
Poor Henry. He was probably bored. James had arrived half an hour ago, shortly after Hannah returned from the restroom. Since then, Brigid had been distracted by him, leaving Marco’s attention solely on Hannah.
Marco chuckled, and the sound was a deep baritone that rumbled over her skin. “No. I just speak the truth, and the idea of carrying a beautiful woman like you in my arms is almost too much.”
So freaking smooth.
“Dance with me,” Marco said quietly.
Oh boy. Dance with the Italian ladies’ man? Her immediate inclination was to politely decline, mostly because she didn’t want to give him the wrong impression. But then she gave herself a little shake. A dance wasn’t a marriage proposal. And she should not be letting Erik dictate her night when he wasn’t even here.
There was a small shove in the back from Henry before she replied, “A dance sounds nice.”
Marco’s eyes darkened, then he took her hand, his skin surprisingly soft. She’d expected it to be rough and calloused like Erik’s.
She grabbed her drink and quickly downed a big gulp, then let Marco lead her to the dance floor. When he tugged her into his arms, she sucked in a sharp breath. There was no space between them. None. Zip.
His mouth immediately went to her ear. “You really are beautiful,dolcezza.”
She swallowed, trying to wet her suddenly dry throat. “I have a question.”
“Ask away.” There was humor in his voice. Probably not the response he was used to getting from women after he called them beautiful.
“Erik seemed tense when you left his home last week. Are you friends?”
The man chuckled. “We are work colleagues, and I like to think of him as a friend, yes.”
Interesting wording. Did Erik not see it the same way?
“We work in the same…field. He probably saw me noticing his beautiful neighbor and got jealous.” Marco’s arm tightened around her. “Do you have something with him?”
How did she answer that? Did she tell him about the kiss? The way he’d pressed her to the wall, then iced her out? “No. He’s just a neighbor.”
The words tasted wrong on her tongue.
