Page 31 of A Lone Star Love Affair
“Afraid of flirting and where it will lead?”
“I’m just dying to hear you tell me some of your favorites and your preferences,” she said in a mocking, exaggerated accent, making him smile.
“Favorites and not involving women or work. I’d have to dig deep there and go back in memory. Way back.”
“Surely not,” she replied, laughing at him. She sipped her drink while they talked and she lost all track of time with him. The night was forever even while it seemed to be going with the speed of light.
“There’s a good song,” he said, glancing at the dance floor, which held a few couples who moved to a slow ballad. “Let’s dance.”
On the dance floor when his arms circled her waist, he leaned close. “Put your arms around me,” he whispered.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, barely moving as they swayed to the music. She felt his hands in her hair and then a lock tumbled free. Faint tugs against her scalp as other locks tumbled around her shoulders. She knew there was no use trying to stop him and it wasn’t that important. Finally it all fell freely around her face.
When he leaned back to study her, he dropped the pins into his pocket.
“There, that is infinitely better.”
“Still changing things to suit yourself.”
“Yes, because you’re even more gorgeous with your hair unpinned,” he whispered in her ear again. He combed his fingers through her hair while he gazed at her with satisfaction. “There. If you had looked like this that first night in your office, I would have known. You’re beautiful,” he whispered. “You take my breath when I look at you and remember loving you.”
How would she ever continue to resist him? It didn’t help to have him constantly conjuring up memories of their night of love.
He released her slightly and danced her around the floor.
His total attention, his charm and his flirting all combined to create an illusion that work was not his driving focus. For tonight, he made her feel as if she were the center of his world, absolutely necessary for his happiness. How easily he conveyed the conviction that she held his complete interest. It was flattering, mesmerizing, seductive. She tried to cling to the knowledge that he was pursuing what he wanted tonight, but Monday, his thoughts would be on business and her importance to him would diminish. Beneath his onslaught of attentiveness, it was a losing struggle to stay grounded in reality.
“Holding you in my arms is perfect. I don’t want to let you go,” he said in a low, husky voice. “Admit you like this, Isabelle.”
She opened her eyes to look up at him as they swayed to the music. “You know I do without hearing me say it,” she said, and he drew a deep breath. She liked it far too much and could dance in his arms the rest of the night. Tony was magic to her, weaving an irresistible spell.
“Let’s go to my suite. We can sit and talk if that’s what you want.” The offer hung in the air. He sounded casual, offhand about the invitation, yet once again she felt this was the moment to say no. She needed to stop the relationship before it ever started, to avoid it altogether. This was an opening to end whatever this was with Tony.
Why was he so irresistible to her? The man wanted to become a billionaire in less than ten years. She wanted to be married and have a family even sooner. They had clashing goals and if she tangled her life with Tony’s she would get hurt and delay or even destroy all hope of the family she sought.
She met his dark gaze, knowing he was waiting for an answer while she was torn between yes and no.
Six
“Let’s go to my suite. It’s just to sit and talk,” he repeated.
“That’s exactly what I want, Tony. We can do that right here at our table or while we dance.”
“I want you all to myself.”
“That goes against all good judgment.”
“It won’t be anything more than you want it to be. C’mon, Isabelle. It isn’t a monumental, life-changing decision. One evening. I’ll take you to your suite whenever you want. I just want to be with you a while longer.”
“Tony, it goes against all good judgment,” she said again, sighing. “Why can’t I resist you?”
He leaned close. “We can’t resist each other. How many other women do you think I’ve wanted to spend time with when I know their goal in the immediate future is marriage? You’re not the only one who knows better yet can’t resist.”
Surprised, she studied him. She hadn’t thought about their relationship from his perspective. Her goal should send him running, but it hadn’t. His remark shook her.
“All the more reason—” she began.
“Shh, Isabelle.” He looked her in the eyes. “Live dangerously, as the old saying goes. Spend another hour or two with me.”
