Page 67 of 2 Books in One Bundle

He gave her a wolfish smile. “Done what?”

His fingers firmed against her back, the palm of his hand pressing her body closer to his. His other hand captured one of hers in a gentle grasp, as if he knew if he squeezed too tightly she would leave. The contact of skin against skin made her dizzier than any embrace or kiss she’d ever experienced.

“Seduced a woman to dance with you,” she said breathlessly.

Fire flashed in his eyes. “Do you feel like I’m seducing you...?” His voice trailed off as he arched a brow. “I don’t know your name.”

“Likewise,” she retorted. She was rewarded with a deep rumble of laughter that seemed to surprise both of them.

“Let’s trade, shall we?”

Her eyes drifted down to his mouth. His smile stole some of the shadows from his eyes. What would it be like to kiss him? To taste his lips against hers, open her mouth to his and—

“Trade?” she whispered.

His smile widened, and her chest tightened.

“You tell me your name. I’ll tell you mine.”

Oh, no, she wasenjoyingthis. Enjoying the banter with a handsome, wealthy man who, for whatever reason, was interested in talking to her. For someone who wasn’t used to being wanted in any capacity, to have a man want to dance with her, to spend time with her, was exhilarating.

The tempo of the music picked up. Uncertainty made her stumble. The man’s hand tightened on hers, steadying her.

“Relax.”

“It’s hard when I don’t know what I’m doing.”

“Trust me.”

He said it with humor in his voice. But his gaze was intense, piercing through the armor she kept wrapped around herself. Torn between vulnerability and defiance, she paused.

Until one corner of his mouth quirked up in that sexy half smile. Daring her.

She raised her chin as she forced herself to ease into his embrace. As he spun her into a turn, she leaned into him. The first moment was terrifying. When was the last time she had surrendered control, trusted someone else?

But he didn’t give her time to be afraid. He took advantage of her submission and spun her into another turn with a bold confidence that brought an entranced smile to her lips. He replied with a smile of his own that transformed his brooding attractiveness into one of devastating handsomeness.

He led her through the rest of the dance with strength and skill. Most of the other dancers swayed back and forth. A few attempted similar moves as her mystery man, but none replicated his talent.

As the music wound down, Evolet arched a brow. “Are you a professional ballroom dancer?”

He chuckled. “Far from it. That is the one dance I know how to do well.”

“Very well.”

“My mother was a good teacher.”

The humor in his eyes dimmed, replaced by an emotion Evolet knew all too well.

Anguish.

“What happened to her?” she asked softly.

His gaze slid back to her. In the span of a breath, Evolet saw it all: heartbreak, agony, despair.

Then his stare hardened, freezing out the emotions displayed so nakedly just a moment ago. This time his smile was practiced, one she’d spied on the faces of the other richly attired men in the ballroom.

“I’ll get you a fresh drink.”

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